To Task Order

What is To Task Order?

"To Task Order" refers to the process by which a government agency issues a specific task or project under an existing, pre-competed contract vehicle, most commonly an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. Think of it as the method for ordering services or supplies already agreed upon in principle within a larger contract framework.

Definition

To Task Order is the action taken to fulfill a specific requirement under an IDIQ, Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA), or Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). Rather than going through a full, open market solicitation each time a need arises, the government leverages these pre-established contract vehicles to quickly and efficiently procure goods and services. This process involves the government defining the specific task or deliverable, soliciting proposals (sometimes just quotes under a BPA), evaluating those responses, and then issuing a legally binding task order to the selected contractor. The process must adhere to FAR Part 16.505 which addresses ordering procedures for IDIQ contracts. The 'to task order' mechanism is critical for government agencies seeking rapid acquisition and allows contractors to efficiently compete for targeted work under pre-negotiated terms and conditions.

Key Points

• Pre-Competed Vehicle: The underlying contract (IDIQ, BOA, or BPA) was already competitively awarded, streamlining the process.
• Defined Scope: Each task order must fall within the scope of the parent contract.
• Fair Opportunity: FAR 16.505 generally requires that all qualified contractors on the IDIQ contract are provided a fair opportunity to be considered for each task order exceeding $25,000. Exceptions apply (e.g., urgency, logical follow-on).
• Task Order Modifications: Changes to the original task order require modifications that must be within the overall scope of the parent contract and appropriately priced.

Practical Examples

1. IT Services: An agency needs help desk support. Instead of issuing a brand new solicitation, they "to task order" that requirement under their existing IT services IDIQ contract. Multiple contractors on the IDIQ submit proposals, and the agency selects the best value.
2. Engineering Support: The Army requires engineering services for a bridge repair project. They issue a task order under their existing Architectural and Engineering Services (A&E) IDIQ to solicit proposals for the specific design and engineering work needed.
3. Training Services: A federal agency needs to train its employees on a new software system. They issue a task order under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) held by several training providers, selecting the offer that provides the best training at the lowest price.