Breakout Session # 805

2. Doing More with Less – The Pros and Cons of Assisted Acquisitions Breakout Session # 805 Michael N. O’Neill, CPCMDirector of Acquisition OperationsIntegrated Technology Services, FAS/GSA Brian P. Harrington, CPCM, FellowSenior Policy AnalystPhoenix Systems, Inc. Tuesday, April 24, 2007 1:40pm – 2:40pm

3. Learning Objectives • Understand the concept of assisted acquisition. • Understand why assisted acquisition agencies were created and the services they offer. • Be familiar with the pros and cons of using assisted acquisition agencies. • Things to consider when evaluating the use of assisted acquisition services.

4. Understanding the concept of assisted acquisition. • Federal contracting agents and program managers acquire products and services by going to another federal agency for acquisition support. • The “assisting” agency acts as a prime contractor for acquiring products and services in a timely, efficient, and regulation compliant manner.

5. Understand why assisted acquisition agencies were created and the services they offer. Authority – General Services Administration: • Federal Property Act of 1949 • GSA Modernization Act

6. Understand why assisted acquisition agencies were created and the services they offer. Authority – All Others: • Government Management and Reform Act of 1994. • Encourages fee-for-service competition among federal agencies for “common administrative services”. [Payroll, human resources, drug screening, financial management, acquisition services, +, +.] • Once approved for participation in the program and the establishment of a “Franchise Fund” appropriated funds are cut off and the activity must be self sustaining. • EPA, Commerce, VA, HHS, Treasury and DOI currently offer services under GMRA.

7. Understand why assisted acquisition agencies were created and the services they offer. • Requirement Development • Acquisition Planning and Strategy Development • Program Management • Cradle-to-Grave Contracting • Market research • Solicitation and competition • Evaluation and negotiation • Contract award through close-out • Socio-economic contract goals (Credits returned to clients) • COR /COTR Services • Online financial statements and electronic billing All support is FAR and Agency Supplement compliant

8. Obtaining Assisted Acquisition Services • Complete a Service Agreement outlining roles and responsibilities of the parties. • Forward funds.

9. Pros and cons of using assisted acquisition agencies. PROS • Compliments internal staff core competence – allows them to focus on primary agency mission. • Access to expertise which may not be available within a client’s agency. • Competition increases focus on customer satisfaction. • “Laundry list” of services to choose. • Easily employed by most agencies.

10. Pros and cons of using assisted acquisition agencies. CONS • Fee-for-Service • Ranging from 3 to 7% of the cost of the contract action. • Some charge hourly rates vs. flat rate. • Most charge at time of contractual obligation. • Unique approval processes for DoD customers. • DoD Comptroller Memo dated Oct 16, 2006 requires: * Completed SOW/SOO * Best interest determination * DoD CO review over $500k * Quality Assurance Plan * Bona Fide Need defined * See checklists for more…

11. Considerations when evaluating the use of assisted acquisition services. • Capability and expertise of internal workforce. • Value vs. cost of services received. • Internal approval processes. • Oversight.

12. Questions ?