Contracting with State Government Entities
Started by baierle · Aug 21, 2014 · 5 replies
- bOriginal post
baierle
Aug 21, 2014 · 11y ago
I work for a federal agency and need to establish a few BPAs for lab services.
I found several small businesses and one university that can perform these services.
For one specific analysis that is often required, the client believes the university does the service best.
Q: Does anyone know if I am prohibited from establishing a BPA with a university?
The university is in Sam.Gov as a "state entity" and they have competitive pricing.
I understand that I cannot consider them under a small business goal. But, other than that, I can't find anything that actually prohibits me from making one of these BPAs with this university.
I am calling out to the community for assistance since I have not established a BPA in ages.
- j
ji20874
Aug 21, 2014 · 11y ago
See FAR Subpart 31.6 -- you may contract with state and local governments, and Indian tribal governments.
- b
baierle
Aug 21, 2014 · 11y ago
Thank you for the feedback.
And, I apologize that this went through three times. I only meant for it to go once.
- a
apsofacto
Aug 21, 2014 · 11y ago
FAR 31.3 (though brief) may have some application depending on your reimbursement type . . . I inherited a cost-plus-no-fee contract with a university once, but that was many years ago.
- D
Don Mansfield
Aug 21, 2014 · 11y ago
There's no blanket prohibition on contracting with universities using a BPA. The FAR even promotes contracting with certain types of universities at FAR 26.302.
- G
Guest Vern Edwards
Aug 25, 2014 · 11y ago
I assume that the question is about BPAs under FAR Part 13.
FAR Part 31 has absolutely nothing to do with BPAs. BPAs are nothing but billing agreements for simplified acquisitions. That's it. They're charge accounts. They're not like IDIQ contracts. If you order something under a BPA, the contractor bills you monthly, instead of per order.
As Don said, there is no prohibition against establishing a BPA with a university.