Purchasing Thresholds for GSA IT Training Clients

Individuals responsible for purchasing larger blocks of IT training beyond the Micropurchase threshold of $3000 may find the following GSA guidelines helpful...

Publication Thresholds

Agencies are required to synopsize in the Government Point of Entry (“GPE”) at https://sam.gov/content/opportunities/federal all proposed contract actions expected to exceed $25,000 [FAR 5.101(a)(1)].

For proposed contract actions expected to exceed $10,000 but not expected to exceed $25,000, a contracting officer may post the action in a public place or on an electronic bulletin board [FAR 5.101(a)(2)]. In addition, a contracting officer does not have to synopsize a contract action at the GPE if FACNET is used.

Competition Thresholds

There are several important dollar amount thresholds governing competition procedures:

Under $3,000: The micropurchase threshold is $3,000 for most procurements although this threshold has been recently enlarged for procurements by the Department of Defense and for acquisitions of supplies or services that are used to facilitate defense against or recovery from terrorism or other such attacks. Micropurchases may be awarded without soliciting competitive quotations if the contracting officer considers the price to be reasonable [FAR 13.202(a)(2)]. Accordingly, the placement of non-Schedule items under $3,000 on a Schedule order complies with the applicable law. This is important to note that this is an aggregate amount for the total value of all open market items under the order, not an individual line-item dollar threshold.

Over $3,000 But Under $100,000: The simplified acquisition threshold is $100,000 in most cases, although again this threshold has been enlarged for procurements in support of contingency operations and the like. Contracting actions at or under $100,000 can be done under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures at FAR Part 13. The contracting officer is required, among other things, to solicit three quotes, evaluate the offers and document the basis for award. Also, per the FAR, the purchase of goods or services with an anticipated dollar value of more than $3,000 but not exceeding $100,000 is reserved exclusively for small business concerns and must be set aside, with some exceptions [FAR 13.003(b)(1)]. When combined with the Publication thresholds, the Simplified Acquisition Procedures present three important dollar amount thresholds: (1) Over $3,000 but under $10,000; (2) Over $10,000 but under $25,000; and (3) Over $25,000 but under $100,000.

1. Over $3,000 but under $10,000: Non-Schedule items exceeding $3,000 but less than $10,000 require the agency to solicit and evaluate three sources, but do not require publication. As long as the agency can document its solicitation and evaluation of three sources, the purchase of non-Schedule items applies with applicable law. The contract file should also show the agency's attempt to solicit small business sources.
   
   
2. Over $10,000 but under $25,000: Non-Schedule items exceeding $10,000 but less than $25,000 require the agency to solicit and evaluate three sources and require informal publication. To comply with applicable law, the agency must be able to document its posting of the procurement and solicitation and evaluation of three sources. The contract file should also show the agency's attempt to solicit small business sources.
   
   
3. Over $25,000 but under $100,000: Non-Schedule items exceeding $25,000 but less than $100,000 require the agency to solicit and evaluate three sources and require formal publication in the GPE or FACNET. To comply with applicable law, the agency must be able to document its publication of the procurement in the GPE or FACNET and solicitation and evaluation of three sources. The contract file should also show the agency's attempt to solicit small business sources.

Theoretically, there is no dollar limit to the open market, non-Schedule items included on a Schedule order as long as the FAR provisions applicable to the dollar amount of the open market items are followed.

Related Links:

• GSA Pricing Overview
• Catalog of Courses and Schedule of Prices
• Payment Options: SmartPay or Purchase Orders
• Soliciting from a Sole Source Vendor
• Purchasing Thresholds
• Who is Eligible for GSA Pricing?

For More Information

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General Information: DoD 8570.1 Directive
ONLC provides training classes for IAT and IAM personnel that's compliant with Department of Defense (DoD) Directive 8570.1. Learn more about this directive and the associated courses offered at ONLC's more than 200 training sites. See DoD 8570.1 General Information / Overview