8.004 Use of other sources
Source: FAR 8.004 on acquisition.gov
When mandatory sources are unavailable, agencies should prioritize non-mandatory government-wide sources before turning to open market commercial sources, while ensuring small business considerations are met.
Overview
FAR 8.004 outlines the process agencies should follow when mandatory sources for supplies and services (as listed in FAR 8.002 and 8.003) are unavailable. Agencies are encouraged to first consider non-mandatory government-wide sources, such as Federal Supply Schedules, Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs), multi-agency contracts, and blanket purchase agreements (BPAs), before turning to open market commercial sources. For services, Federal Prison Industries, Inc. should also be considered. Additionally, agencies must ensure that small business concerns, including various socio-economic categories, are given due consideration in accordance with FAR 7.105(b) and Part 19 when using non-mandatory sources.
If an agency is unable to satisfy requirements for supplies and services from the mandatory sources listed in 8.002 and 8.003, agencies are encouraged to consider satisfying requirements from or through the non-mandatory sources listed in paragraph (a) of this section (not listed in any order of priority) before considering the non-mandatory source listed in paragraph (b) of this section. When satisfying requirements from non-mandatory sources, see 7.105(b) and part 19 regarding consideration of small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business (including 8(a) participants), and women-owned small business concerns.
(a)
(1) Supplies. Federal Supply Schedules, Governmentwide acquisition contracts, multi-agency contracts, and any other procurement instruments intended for use by multiple agencies, including blanket purchase agreements (BPAs) under Federal Supply Schedule contracts (e.g., Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative (FSSI) agreements accessible at http://www.gsa.gov/fssi" target="_blank">http://www.gsa.gov/fssi (see also 5.601)).
(2) Services. Agencies are encouraged to consider Federal Prison Industries, Inc., as well as the sources listed in paragraph (a)(1) of this section (see subpart 8.6).
(b) Commercial sources (including educational and non-profit institutions) in the open market.