ASPM (Acquisition Strategy Panel Meeting)

What is ASPM (Acquisition Strategy Panel Meeting)?

The Acquisition Strategy Panel Meeting (ASPM) is a key event in the government procurement process. It's a formal review where a proposed acquisition strategy is presented to a panel of experts for thorough examination and feedback. The goal is to ensure the planned acquisition is sound, efficient, compliant, and aligned with the agency's needs and mission.

Definition

An ASPM is a structured meeting designed to critically evaluate a proposed acquisition strategy before significant resources are invested in developing and releasing a solicitation. It provides a forum for subject matter experts to challenge assumptions, identify potential risks, and offer recommendations to improve the strategy. The ASPM is usually conducted early in the planning phase, typically after preliminary market research but before the formal Request for Proposal (RFP) is released. The results of the ASPM inform the development of the final acquisition plan. This process helps avoid costly mistakes and increases the likelihood of a successful procurement outcome by ensuring the government's approach is well-reasoned and defensible.

Key Points

• Compliance: Ensures the acquisition strategy complies with applicable laws, regulations, and agency policies, including the FAR.
• Risk Mitigation: Identifies and assesses potential risks associated with the acquisition, and develops mitigation strategies.
• Small Business Considerations: Emphasizes the importance of small business participation and ensures the acquisition strategy supports small business goals.
• Optimization: Seeks to optimize the acquisition strategy to achieve the best value for the government, considering cost, schedule, and performance.

Practical Examples

1. New IT System: An agency needs to acquire a new IT system. The ASPM would review the proposed acquisition approach, including whether to use a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solution or develop a custom system, the proposed contract type (e.g., fixed-price, cost-reimbursement), and the evaluation criteria for selecting a vendor.
2. Professional Services Contract: A government agency requires professional services. The ASPM would assess the market research conducted to determine the availability of qualified vendors, the proposed task order process if using an IDIQ contract, and the plan for ensuring fair opportunity among qualified contractors.
3. Construction Project: For a construction project, the ASPM would review the project requirements, the proposed contracting method (e.g., design-build, design-bid-build), the risk assessment for potential construction delays or cost overruns, and the plan for monitoring contractor performance.