5.703
Definition
FAR 5.703 clarifies that a wide range of IDIQ contract vehicles—including GWACs, MACs, Federal Supply Schedules, and BPAs—are subject to publicizing requirements under the Recovery Act.
Overview
FAR 5.703 provides the definition of "task or delivery order contract" as it applies within Subpart 5.7, which addresses publicizing requirements under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This section clarifies that the term encompasses a wide range of indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicles, including Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs), multi-agency contracts (MACs), Federal Supply Schedule contracts, and Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) under subpart 8.4. By referencing the definitions in FAR 16.501-1, this section ensures consistency in the application of publicizing requirements across various contract types used for task or delivery orders.
Key Rules
- Definition of Task or Delivery Order Contract
- Includes all contracts defined as delivery order or task order contracts in FAR 16.501-1, such as GWACs, MACs, IDIQs, and Federal Supply Schedule contracts.
- Applicability to Publicizing Requirements
- The definition is specifically for use in the context of publicizing requirements under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Must apply this definition when determining which contracts are subject to publicizing requirements under Subpart 5.7.
- Contractors: Should understand which contract vehicles are covered to ensure compliance with applicable publicizing and reporting obligations.
- Agencies: Must ensure consistent interpretation and application of the definition across relevant contracts.
Practical Implications
- This section exists to eliminate ambiguity about which contract types are included in publicizing requirements for Recovery Act actions.
- It impacts daily contracting by clarifying that a broad range of IDIQ vehicles are subject to these requirements, not just traditional contracts.
- Common pitfalls include failing to recognize that BPAs and schedule contracts are included, potentially leading to non-compliance with publicizing rules.