Contents of written acquisition plans
FAR 7.105 requires acquisition plans to comprehensively address all technical, business, and management factors, ensuring well-documented, risk-aware, and compliant government procurements.
Overview
FAR 7.105 details the required contents of written acquisition plans, ensuring that all significant technical, business, and management considerations are addressed to achieve acquisition objectives. The regulation provides a comprehensive checklist for acquisition planners, covering both background/objectives and a detailed plan of action. It mandates that acquisition plans identify key milestones, address performance-based acquisition strategies for service contracts, and follow agency-specific procedures. The plan must be tailored to the nature and stage of the acquisition, and must include considerations such as cost, risk, competition, contract type, source selection, budgeting, logistics, environmental objectives, security, and more. Special attention is given to small business participation, market research, and compliance with various federal statutes and policies.
Key Rules
- Acquisition Background and Objectives
- Plans must include a statement of need, applicable conditions, cost goals, required capabilities, delivery requirements, trade-offs, risks, and acquisition streamlining measures.
- Plan of Action
- Must address sources (including small business and market research), competition strategies, contract type rationale, source selection procedures, acquisition considerations (e.g., multiyear, options, performance-based), budgeting, product/service descriptions, priorities, make-or-buy, test and evaluation, logistics, government-furnished property/information, environmental and security considerations, contract administration, and other relevant matters.
- Milestones and Participants
- The plan must identify key acquisition milestones and list all individuals involved in plan preparation.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Ensure acquisition plans are comprehensive, address all required elements, and are prepared in accordance with FAR 7.105 and agency procedures.
- Contractors: Must be aware of the requirements acquisition plans impose, especially regarding performance standards, competition, and compliance with federal policies.
- Agencies: Oversee the preparation, review, and approval of acquisition plans, ensuring alignment with statutory and regulatory requirements.
Practical Implications
- This section ensures acquisitions are thoroughly planned, reducing risks and increasing the likelihood of successful outcomes.
- It impacts daily contracting by requiring detailed documentation and justification for acquisition strategies, contract types, and competition methods.
- Common pitfalls include incomplete plans, failure to address required elements (such as small business participation or environmental objectives), and inadequate milestone identification.