19.804-1
Agency evaluation
Agencies must thoroughly evaluate acquisition needs and 8(a) participant capabilities before offering requirements to the 8(a) program to ensure successful contract performance.
Overview
FAR 19.804-1 outlines the factors agencies must evaluate when considering whether to offer a requirement under the 8(a) Business Development Program. The regulation ensures that agencies thoroughly assess both their acquisition needs and the capabilities of 8(a) participants before committing requirements to the program. This evaluation is critical to determine if the 8(a) program is the appropriate vehicle for fulfilling the agency’s needs and to ensure successful contract performance.
Key Rules
- Acquisition Planning
- Agencies must review current and future acquisition plans for the items or services 8(a) firms wish to provide, including estimated quantities, contract length, and performance or delivery requirements.
- Impact of Delivery Delays
- Agencies must consider the consequences of any potential delays in delivery.
- Past Acquisition Methods
- Agencies should review whether the requirement was previously acquired through small business set-asides and when.
- Previous Performance Issues
- Agencies must evaluate any problems encountered in prior acquisitions from 8(a) or other contractors.
- Assessment of 8(a) Participants
- Agencies must consider all relevant information about 8(a) participants, including their products, capabilities, and, if necessary, conduct independent reviews to ensure satisfactory performance.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Must conduct a comprehensive evaluation using the criteria listed before offering a requirement to the 8(a) program.
- Contractors: Should be prepared to demonstrate their capabilities and provide relevant information to support agency evaluations.
- Agencies: Responsible for gathering, reviewing, and documenting all pertinent information to support the evaluation process.
Practical Implications
- This section ensures that only suitable requirements are offered to the 8(a) program, reducing the risk of performance issues.
- Agencies must be diligent in their evaluation to avoid delays and ensure that 8(a) participants are capable of meeting contract requirements.
- Contractors should proactively address any past performance issues and be ready to provide detailed information about their capabilities.