19.811-1 Sole source
Source: FAR 19.811-1 on acquisition.gov
FAR 19.811-1 establishes detailed procedures and documentation requirements for awarding sole source 8(a) contracts through the SBA, including specific forms, authorities, and signature processes.
Overview
FAR 19.811-1 outlines the procedures for preparing and executing sole source 8(a) contracts awarded through the Small Business Administration (SBA). It details the required forms, documentation, and signature processes for both standard and alternative contracting methods, ensuring compliance with statutory authorities for sole source awards. The section also provides flexibility for simplified acquisitions and allows for a streamlined, single-document approach when advance payments are not involved.
Key Rules
- Contract Preparation
- Contracts awarded to the SBA must follow agency procedures and use Standard Form 26 (or SF 1442 for construction).
- Contract for 8(a) Participant
- The contract for the 8(a) participant must cite the correct statutory authority, include appropriate clauses, and have specific information inserted by the SBA (contract number, dates, signatures).
- Signature Process
- The SBA must obtain the 8(a) contractor’s signature before returning the contract to the agency, aiming to complete this within 10 working days.
- Single Document Alternative
- When no advance payments are involved, a single contract document may be used for both the agency-SBA and SBA-8(a) agreements, with a tripartite agreement appended.
- Simplified Acquisition Threshold
- For contracts at or below the simplified acquisition threshold, simplified forms and the single-document approach may be used.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Prepare contracts per agency and FAR requirements, ensure correct forms and authorities are cited, and coordinate signatures.
- Contractors (8(a) participants): Review and sign contracts as required.
- SBA: Insert required information, obtain signatures, and return contracts promptly.
Practical Implications
- Ensures proper documentation and legal authority for sole source 8(a) awards.
- Streamlines the process for smaller contracts and those not involving advance payments.
- Delays can occur if signatures are not obtained promptly; close coordination with the SBA and 8(a) contractor is essential.
(a) The contract to be awarded by the agency to the SBA shall be prepared in accordance with agency procedures and in the same detail as would be required in a contract with a business concern. The contracting officer shall use the https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/awardcontract" target="_blank">Standard Form 26 as the award form, except for construction contracts, in which case the https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/solicitation-offer-and-award-construction-alteration-or-repair" target="_blank">Standard Form 1442 shall be used as required in 36.701(a).
(b) The contracting officer shall prepare the contract that the SBA will award to the 8(a) participant in accordance with agency procedures, as if awarding the contract directly to the 8(a) participant, except for the following:
(1) The award form shall cite 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(5) or https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title10-section3204&num=0&edition=prelim" target="_blank">10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(5) (as appropriate) as the authority for use of other than full and open competition.
(2) Appropriate clauses shall be included, as necessary, to reflect that the contract is between the SBA and the 8(a) contractor.
(3) The following items shall be inserted by the SBA:
(i) The SBA contract number.
(ii) The effective date.
(iii) The typed name of the SBA’s contracting officer.
(iv) The signature of the SBA’s contracting officer.
(v) The date signed.
(4) The SBA will obtain the signature of the 8(a) contractor prior to signing and returning the prime contract to the contracting officer for signature. The SBA will make every effort to obtain signatures and return the contract, and any subsequent bilateral modification, to the contracting officer within a maximum of 10 working days.
(c) Except in procurements where the SBA will make advance payments to its 8(a) contractor, the agency contracting officer may, as an alternative to the procedures in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection, use a single contract document for both the prime contract between the agency and the SBA and its 8(a) contractor. The single contract document shall contain the information in paragraphs (b) (1), (2), and (3) of this subsection. Appropriate blocks on the https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/awardcontract" target="_blank">Standard Form (SF) 26 or 1442 will be asterisked and a continuation sheet appended as a tripartite agreement which includes the following:
(1) Agency acquisition office, prime contract number, name of agency contracting officer and lines for signature, date signed, and effective date.
(2) The SBA office, the SBA contract number, name of the SBA contracting officer, and lines for signature and date signed.
(3) Name and lines for the 8(a) subcontractor’s signature and date signed.
(d) For acquisitions not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, the contracting officer may use the alternative procedures in paragraph (c) of this subsection with the appropriate simplified acquisition forms.