multiple vendors on one award??

Started by philb · Apr 11, 2024 · 3 replies

  1. p

    philb

    Apr 11, 2024 · 2y ago

    Original post

    Good afternoon, Looking for some knowledge and input. The situation I have is regarding arbitration services. In the VA, used to be able to pay for these services with a 1358, the facilities cannot anymore. When these services are required, it is not as simple as picking who will provide the services, the union and the facility has a pool of arbitrators that they can select from, but they both select about three, then agree to one. So anticipating who will provide the services is not allowable until almost crunch time. When 1358s were allowed to be used, those arbitrators did not have to be in SAM, so another problem with a contract moving forward. Is there some sort of BPA or other contract vehicle that would allow for multiple vendors rather than a BPA for all of the potential arbitrators? obviously, there is no competing among the BPAs or whatever is in place because it has to be mutually agreed to. Obviously, looking for the simplest method to be able to provide the facility and union arbitrators when required. Thank you

  2. j

    joel hoffman

    Apr 11, 2024 · 2y ago

    Perhaps a BPA with the several arbitrators , with the proviso that the arbitration procedures would apply to selection of the arbitrator.

  3. R

    RJ_Walther

    Apr 12, 2024 · 2y ago

    The SAM registration thing seems like it could be the biggest issue if the individual arbiters do not work for firms and aren't willing to register. What kind of dollar value is each requirement?

    Under the micro-purchase threshold (which maybe you could make the case is $10k for these services, I'm not sure what kind of training arbiters require) you could avoid SAM with a government purchase card order (or call under a set of BPAs you establish in advance). Over the MPT it seems like you would need to convince the arbiters to register in SAM (or subcontract with a vendor who is registered in SAM) if they want to be allowed in the pool.

  4. f

    formerfed

    Apr 12, 2024 · 2y ago

    Answers to a couple questions will help with advice.  How often over the course of a year are arbitrators needed and how large is the potential pool of BPA holders?

Sign in or sign up to post a reply.