7.403 General Services Administration assistance and OMB guidance
Source: FAR 7.403 on acquisition.gov
Agencies must leverage GSA expertise and OMB guidance to make informed, compliant decisions when renting, leasing, or purchasing equipment.
Overview
FAR 7.403 outlines the resources and guidance available to federal agencies when making decisions about renting, leasing, or purchasing equipment. The section emphasizes the role of the General Services Administration (GSA) in providing market intelligence, pricing, and technological updates, as well as the availability of additional guidance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for lease-purchase analysis and budgetary treatment. Agencies are encouraged to leverage GSA expertise and OMB circulars to ensure informed, compliant, and cost-effective equipment acquisition decisions.
Key Rules
- GSA Assistance
- Agencies may request GSA support for information on pricing, technology, techniques, and market trends relevant to equipment acquisition.
- How to Access GSA Support
- Agencies can contact the GSA FAS National Customer Service Center by phone or email, and consult the GSA website for specific equipment rental information.
- OMB Guidance
- Agencies should refer to OMB Circular A-94 and A-11 for detailed procedures on lease-purchase analysis and budgetary treatment of leases and capital assets.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Must seek and consider GSA and OMB guidance when evaluating rent, lease, or purchase options for equipment.
- Contractors: Should be aware that agencies may use GSA and OMB resources to inform acquisition strategies and requirements.
- Agencies: Responsible for requesting GSA assistance and consulting OMB circulars as part of the acquisition planning process.
Practical Implications
- This section ensures agencies make well-informed, compliant decisions regarding equipment acquisition by leveraging federal expertise and guidance.
- It helps prevent costly or non-compliant acquisitions by requiring consideration of up-to-date market and regulatory information.
- Common pitfalls include failing to consult GSA or OMB resources, leading to missed opportunities for savings or compliance issues.
(a) When requested by an agency, the General Services Administration (GSA) will assist in rent, lease, or purchase decisions by providing information such as-
(1) Pending price adjustments to Federal Supply Schedule contracts;
(2) Recent or imminent technological developments;
(3) New techniques; and
(4) Industry or market trends.
(b) For additional GSA assistance and guidance, agencies may—
(1)Request information from the GSA FAS National Customer Service Center by phone at 1-800-488-3111 or by email at ncsccustomer.service@gsa.gov; and
(2)See GSA website, Schedule 51 V Hardware Superstore-Equipment Rental, (https://www.gsa.gov/buying-selling/products-services/industrial-products-services/rental-of-industrial-equipment" target="_blank">https://www.gsa.gov/buying-selling/products-services/industrial-products-services/rental-of-industrial-equipment).
(c) For additional OMB guidance, see—
(1)Section 13, Special Guidance for Lease-Purchase Analysis, and paragraph 8.c.(2), Lease-Purchase Analysis, of OMB Circular A-94, Guidelines and Discount Rates for Benefit-Cost Analysis of Federal Programs, (https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/legacy_drupal_files/omb/circulars/A94/a094.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/legacy_drupal_files/omb/circulars/A94/a094.pdf); and
(2)Appendix B, Budgetary Treatment of Lease-Purchases and Leases of Capital Assets, of OMB Circular A-11, Preparation, Submission, and Execution of the Budget, (https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/app_b.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/app_b.pdf).