[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 14, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2443-2444]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-00456]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

[Notice--FAS-2013-02; Docket No. 2013-0002; Sequence 44]


Modernizing the Federal Supply Schedule Program: Order-Level 
Materials

AGENCY: Federal Acquisition Service, General Services Administration.

ACTION: Notice; request for information.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) of the General Services 
Administration (GSA) is seeking comments that can be used to assist in 
the development of processes and procedures for the inclusion of order-
level materials under the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) program. Though 
the acquisition of order-level materials is allowed under multiple-
award Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contracts, FAS has 
yet to develop a clear mechanism for the procurement of these items 
under the FSS program. FAS is now taking steps to bring the FSS program 
into parity with other multiple-award IDIQ contract vehicles. This 
endeavor is a critical piece of a larger effort to modernize the FSS 
program as a whole, under which FAS aims to increase efficiency and 
effectiveness, facilitate the purchase of total solutions, maximize 
competition, and promote small business utilization across Government.

DATES: Comments: Interested parties should submit written comments to 
the Regulatory Secretariat at one of the addresses shown below on or 
before March 17, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in response to Notice--FAS-2013-02 by any of 
the following methods:
     Regulations.gov: http://www.regulations.gov. Submit 
comments via the Federal eRulemaking portal by searching for ``Notice--
FAS-2013-02''. Select the link ``Comment Now'' that corresponds with 
``Notice--FAS-2013-02'' and follow the instructions provided on the 
screen. Please include your name, company name (if any), and ``Notice--
FAS-2013-02'' on your attached document.
     Mail: General Services Administration, Regulatory 
Secretariat (MVCB), ATTN: Ms. Flowers/Notice--FAS-2013-02, 1800 F 
Street NW., 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20405-0001.
    Instructions: Please submit comments only and cite Notice--FAS-
2013-02, in all correspondence related to this case. All comments 
received will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, 
including any personal and/or business confidential information 
provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Bourne, GSA/FAS Director of 
MAS Program Office at (703) 605-2760.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

A. Background

    The FSS program is one of many multiple-award IDIQ contract 
vehicles available Governmentwide. Though the acquisition of order-
level materials is allowable under multiple-award IDIQ contracts, FAS 
has yet to develop a clear mechanism for the procurement of these items 
under the FSS program. This has resulted in an inability to fully 
realize the effective use of the FSS program across Government.

[[Page 2444]]

B. Solicitation of Public Comment

    Respondents are encouraged to offer their views on the following 
questions:
    1. Is the current lack of a clear mechanism for the procurement of 
order-level materials a deterrent from using the FSS program? If so, 
how?
    2. What potential challenges exist for FAS where order-level 
materials and the FSS program are concerned? How can these be 
addressed?
    3. What kinds of processes and procedures are in place for the 
procurement of order-level materials under other multiple-award IDIQ 
contract vehicles? Can these be applied to the FSS program as-is, or 
are there special considerations FAS needs to address? If possible, 
please provide specific examples from multiple-award IDIQ contract 
vehicles that could serve as a good example of the kind of processes 
and procedures needed for the efficient and effective use of order-
level materials.
    4. If FAS were to implement clear processes and procedures for the 
acquisition of order-level materials under the FSS program, is there 
the potential for administrative cost savings? If so, please elaborate.
    5. If FAS were to implement clear processes and procedures for the 
acquisition of order-level materials under the FSS program, would it 
provide increased flexibility to contractors to provide total solutions 
to Government requirements? Are there any additional benefits for small 
businesses, in particular?
    6. What kind of risk management controls are needed to ensure 
efficient and effective use of order-level materials under the FSS 
program?

    Dated: January 8, 2014.
Houston W. Taylor,
Acting Senior Procurement Executive, General Services Administration.
[FR Doc. 2014-00456 Filed 1-13-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-61-P