AIR FORCE FAR SUPPLEMENT

The Air Force Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (AFFARS)establishes uniform policies and procedures for the Air Forceimplementing and supplementing the Federal Acquisition Regulation(FAR), the Department of Defense FAR Supplement (DFARS), and otherDepartment of Defense publications concerning contracting. AFFARSMandatory Procedures (MP) and Procedures, Guidance, and Information(PGI) are companion resources arranged by parts, which correspond tothe relevant FAR parts. Supplements to the AFFARS, MPs, and PGI areprohibited.

See AFICC PGI 5301.1.

5301.105-1 Publication and Code Arrangement

(a)(S-90) The AFFARS is published onwww.Acquisition.gov.

See AF PGI 5301.108.

5301.170 Peer Reviews

(a) DoD Peer Reviews. [ See Air Force Class Deviation2019-U0001 (Policy Memo 19-C-01 ).]

(1)(i) and (ii) See AF PGI 5301.170-2for Pre-award procedures for Peer Reviews. [See DFARSClass Deviation 2019-O0010, Peer Reviews of Competitive Contractsfor Supplies and Services (OUSD(A&S)/DPC Memo, 6 Sep 19)]

(2) To facilitate planning for DoD Peer Reviews and clearances bythe DAS(C)/ADAS(C) (see 5301.9001(i)(1)(iv)),the SCO must ensure the rolling forecast data is current in thereportingtool as of the 15^th of March, June, September, andDecember each year. SAF/AQC will submit the consolidated Peer Reviewforecast to OUSD(A&S)/DPC at the end of each quarter.

(b) Component Peer Reviews

(1) Pre-award Peer Reviews of solicitations for competitiveprocurements valued at less than $1B must be accomplished bycomplying with the clearance requirements in 5301.90.

(2) Pre-award Peer Reviews for non-competitive procurements valued atless than $500M must be accomplished by complying with the clearancerequirements in 5301.90.

(3) Post-award Peer Reviews of contracts for services with a dollarvalue > than the SAT les must be accomplished by complying withthe applicable reviews in AFI63-138, Acquisition of Services.

See AF PGI 5301.170-2.

See AF PGI 5301.170-3.

See AF PGI 5301.170-4.

See AFICC PGI 5301.170.

See SMC PGI 5301.170.

SUBPART 5301.2 - ADMINISTRATION

5301.201-1 The Two Councils

(d)(i) Proposed revisions to the FAR or theDFARS must be submitted through the SCO to SAF/AQCPin accordance with DFARS 201.201-1(d)(i).

5301.201-90 Maintenance of the AFFARS

The AFFARS is prepared and maintained by the Chief, Contract Policy &Field Support Division, Deputy Assistant Secretary (Contracting)(SAF/AQCP).

See AFMC PGI 5301.290.

SUBPART 5301.3 - AGENCY ACQUISITION REGULATIONS

5301.301 Policy

(a)(1)(S-90) The AFFARS is issued by theDAS(C) onbehalf of the Senior Procurement Executive (SPE) .

5301.304 Agency Control and Compliance Procedures

(a) SCOs submit PGI revisions, deletions, andadditions via the ProposedPGI Changes page.

(c)(4) MAJCOMs, DRUs, AFRCO, SpRCO and SMC mustfollow the approved AFClause Control Plan. The use of nonstandard clauses requires anapproved D&F addressing the criteria outlined in DFARS PGI201.301(b)(iii). Contracting officers may utilize the AirForce Non-Standard Clause Control Template to obtain approval ofthe clause. The approval authority for clauses used in accordancewith 4.b., 4.c., and 4.d. of the AF Clause Control Plan has beendelegated to one level above the contracting officer. See paragraph4 of the AF Clause Control Plan for clauses requiring OUSD(A&S)/DPCapproval.
INTERIM CHANGE: SeePolicyMemo 20-C-16 .

See SMC PGI 5301.304.

SUBPART 5301.4 - DEVIATIONS FROM THE FAR

5301.402 Policy

(2) Submit requests for deviations requiring USD(A&S)/DPCapproval through the SCO to SAF/AQCfor processing. See the tailorable DeviationRequest template.

5301.403 Individual Deviations

(1)(i) SCOs are authorized to approve individual deviations except asdescribed in (ii) below or as described in DFARS 201.402(1) and DFARS201.403(2).

(ii) SAF/AQC is the approval authority for individual deviations fromFAR 15.3, AFFARS 5315.3, and MP5315.3 . Contracting officers may use the DeviationRequest template. Deviation requests must be submitted throughthe SCO to SAF/AQCfor approval. This approval authority must not be further delegated.When a proposed deviation, as described herein, also requires awaiver from DFARS 215.3, DoD Source Selection Procedures, the waiverprocess in MP5315.3, para 1.2.4., must also befollowed.

(iii) INTERIM CHANGE: SeeAir Force Deviation 2019-U0002 (Policy Memo 19-C-06 ).

5301.404 Class Deviations

(b)(i) USD(A&S)/DPC is the approvalauthority for any class deviation described in DFARS 201.402(1),class deviations from DFARS 215.3, and class deviations that meet thecriteria in DFARS 201.404(b)(II)(A-D). Submit requeststhrough the SCO to SAF/AQCfor processing to USD(A&S)/DPC for approval.

(ii) The DAS(C)/ADAS(C) is the approval authority for classdeviations from FAR 15.3, AFFARS 5315.3, and MP5315.3. Contractingofficers may use the DeviationRequest template . Requests must be submitted through the SCO to SAF/AQCfor approval.

(iii) SCOs are authorized to approve class deviations except asrestricted by paragraphs (i) and (ii) above. Class deviationapproval authority is not delegable.

(iv) INTERIM CHANGE: SeeAir Force Class Deviation 2018-U0001 (PolicyMemo 18-C-07)

(v) INTERIMCHANGE: See Air Force ClassDeviation 2019-U0001 (Policy Memo 19-C-01 )

(vi) INTERIMCHANGE: See Air Force ClassDeviation 2020-U0001 (Policy Memo 20-C-09 )

(vii) INTERIMCHANGE: See Air Force ClassDeviation 2020-U0002 (Policy Memo 20-C-10 )

See AFICC PGI 5301.404-92.

SUBPART 5301.6 - CAREER DEVELOPMENT, CONTRACTING AUTHORITY, ANDRESPONSIBILITIES

5301.601 General

(a)(i) Heads of Contracting Activities (HCAs)Responsibilities.

(A) The DAS(C) and Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary (Contracting)(ADAS)(C)) are the HCA for the Air Force and are designated theauthority to enter into, approve, terminate, and take all otherappropriate actions with respect to contracts and agreements (grants,cooperative agreements, and Other Transactions). All nondelegableHCA responsibilities may be exercised only by the DAS(C) and ADAS(C). The DAS(C) makes the delegations for all delegable HCAresponsibilities, including the authority to enter into, approve,modify, and terminate contracts, in MP5301.601(a)(i). MP5301.601(a)(i) also establishes the authority to furtherredelegate.

See AFMC PGI 5301.601(a)(i)(A) and(S-91).

See SMC PGI 5301.601(a)(i)(A).

See USAFA PGI 5301.601(a)(i)(A).

5301.601-90 Head of Agency (HoA), Senior Procurement Executive(SPE), and Service Acquisition Executive (SAE) Responsibilities

INTERIM CHANGE: See PolicyMemo 19-C-11.

5301.601-91 Air Force Contracting Self-Inspection Program

See MP5301.601-91 forrequirements of the Air Force Contracting Self-Inspection Program.

See AFICC PGI 5301.601-91.

See AFMC PGI 5301.601-91.

5301.602-1 Authority

(a) Contracting officers are authorized toenter into and execute contracts funded either partially orcompletely with non-appropriated funds.

5301.602-2 Responsibilities

(c)(i) Legal Review

(A) Contracting officers must obtain legal advice during all phasesof acquisitions. See the tailorable LegalReview template. In particular, contracting officers must obtainlegal advice, coordination, and review from the supporting legaloffice for the following situations, regardless of dollar amount:

(1) When there is doubt or controversy about the interpretation orapplication of statutes, directives, and regulations;

(2) When using or applying unique or unusual contract provisions;

(3) When actions are likely to be subject to public scrutiny orreceive higher-level agency attention;

(4) When a protest or claim is likely;

(5) When contemplating the use of alternative dispute resolution;

(6) Use of liquidated damages provisions in contracts for other thanconstruction;

(7) Award fee or award term plans;

(8) Source selection decisions and supporting documentation foractions accomplished pursuant to the requirements of MP5315.3;

(9) Issues dealing with licensing, technical data rights andpatents;

(10) Mistakes in bid (See FAR 14.407);

(11) Protests before and after award;

(12) Ratifications;

(13) Disputes;

(14) Contractor claims;

(15) Termination for default/cause;

(16) Terminations for convenience, except cancellations orterminations of purchase orders;

(17) Debarment or suspension actions;

(18) Individual or class deviations; and,

(19) Any other legal issue at the discretion of the contractingofficer or supporting legal office.

(B) All Justifications and Approvals (J&A) requests for actionsexpected to exceed $700,000

(C) In addition to the general conditions identified in5301.602-2(c)(i)(A) above, contracting officers must obtain legalreview of Operational contract actions expected to exceed $500,000and AFMC and SMC Non-Operational contract actions expected to exceed$1,000,000, as follows:
INTERIMCHANGE: See PolicyMemo 19-C-12 .

(1) Solicitations and amendments, except administrative amendments;

(2) Proposed contracts and modifications;

(3) Orders for supplies or services issued under indefinite deliverytype contracts (FAR 16.5), including GWACs, and Federal SupplySchedules (FSS), that require negotiation at the order level; and

(4) Orders under Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPA) established underFSS.

(D) Legal review is not normally required for:

(1) Funding actions without any other changes;

(2) Unilateral exercise of pre-priced options that were reviewed andapproved at the time of award of the basic contract; or

(3) Except as indicated at 5301.602-2(c)(i)(C)(3), ordersolicitations and orders issued against existing contracts inaccordance with all terms and conditions of the basic contract.

See AFMC PGI 5301.602-2(c)(i)(A) and(C).

See SMCPGI 5301.602-2.

(d) For Designation, Assignment, andResponsibilities of a Contracting Officer s Representative, seeMP5301.602-2(d).

5301.602-3 Ratification of Unauthorized Commitments

(b) Policy.

(2) Ratification approval authority is delegated as follows (seeMP5301.601(a)(i)):

(A) The SCO for actions equal to or greater than $30,000.

(B) The COCO for actions less than $30,000 (not redelegable).

See AF PGI 5301.602-3-90.

5301.603-1 General

The HCA designees delegated contracting authority in accordance withMP5301.601(a)(i), Item 3, must select and appoint contractingofficers and terminate their appointments in accordance with thissection and MP5301.603.

(a) The SCO may delegate this authority to thehighest contracting official in the contracting chain atgeographically separated organizations, but in no event will thedesignee be lower than a GS-15 (or equivalent) or 0-6. [ See Air Force Deviation 2019-U0002(PolicyMemo 19-C-06 )]

(b) Authority to issue limited contractingofficer warrants of less than $5M and authority to terminateappointments of less than $5M may be delegated, but in no event willthe designee be lower than the COCO.

See USAFA PGI 5301.603-1.

5301.603-2-90 Selection

INTERIM CHANGE: SeePolicyMemo 20-C-06

Warrants are issued strictly in accordance with DFARS 201.603-2, thissection, and MP5301.603.

(a) Warranting. An individual selectedfor contracting officer appointment must be a military member in AirForce Specialty Code (AFSC) 64PX or 6C0X1 or a civilian in theGS-1102 occupational series who occupies a manned authorizationlisted under these specialty codes/series, and complies with therequirements at DFARS 201.603-2, in this section and in MP5301.603,and who possesses at a minimum, an Intermediate (Level II)Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) certification incontracting.

(b) Limited Warrants. Militarypersonnel in AFSC 64PX, 6C0X1 and civilians in the GS-1102occupational series who occupy a manning authorization listed underthese specialty codes/series and who comply with the requirements atDFARS 201.603-2, in this section, and in MP5301.603 with at least 2years of experience in a contracting position, and Level I APDPcertification in contracting may only be selected for limitedwarrants for amounts less than $5M Those contracting personnel whodo not possess a Level I APDP certification in contracting (includingPurchasing Agents in the GS-1105 series) may, with at least one yearof contracting experience, be selected for limited warrants foramounts less than or equal to the SAT.

(c) Local National (LN) Warrants. LNsin an equivalent occupational series to GS-1102 may be selected for acontracting officer appointment in accordance with this section andMP5301.603 however, possession of an APDP certificate is notrequired:

(1) An LN candidate for warrant above the SAT must meet thefollowing minimum functional training, work experience, and formaleducation requirements:
INTERIM CHANGE: See PolicyMemo 20-C-13 .

(i) Complete all contracting courses as required for a member of theDefense Acquisition Workforce for APDP certification in contractingrequired for the warrant amount;

(ii) Have at least two years of contracting experience; and,

(iii) Possess a baccalaureate degree (or the equivalent), includingat least 24-semester credit hours (or the equivalent) in any of thefollowing disciplines: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts,purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitativemethods, or organization and management.
INTERIMCHANGE: See PolicyMemo 20-C-13 .

(2) LN candidates for warrants equal to $5M or more must meet awarrant board in accordance with MP5301.603.

(3) A LN candidate for a warrant less than or equal to the SAT musthave at least one year of contracting experience.

(d) Limited Home Station Warrants. Amember of the contingency contracting force in AFSC 6C0X1 who doesnot possess a baccalaureate degree and 24 semester credit hours froman accredited institution of higher education in any of the businessdisciplines may be nominated, evaluated, and selected for a limitedhome station warrant not to exceed $10M in accordance with thissection, AFFARS 5318, and MP5301.603:
INTERIMCHANGE: See PolicyMemo 20-C-13 .

(1) Warrants for less than or equal to the SAT require a minimum ofone year of contracting experience.

(2) Warrants above the SAT to less than $5M require a minimum of twoyears of contracting experience and a Level I or higher APDPcertification in contracting.

(3) Candidates for Limited Home Station warrants equal to or greaterthan $5M, not to exceed $10M, must have a minimum of two years ofcontracting experience, a Level II or higher APDP certification incontracting, and must meet a warrant board in accordance withMP5301.603.

(e) Contingency Contracting Officer (CCO)Warrants.

(1) Candidates for CCO warrants for less than or equal to the SATmust have a minimum of one year of contracting experience.

(2) Candidates for CCO warrants above the SAT to less than $5M musthave a minimum of two years of contracting experience and a Level Ior higher APDP certification in contracting.

(3) Candidates for CCO warrants equal to or greater than $5M requirea minimum of two years of contracting experience, a Level II orhigher APDP certification in contracting, and meet a warrant board inaccordance with MP5301.603.

(4) CCO Appointments. SCOs must select and appoint CCOs andterminate their appointments in accordance with this section.

(i) The nominating supervisor must complete the CCOAppointment/Termination Request ,which will then be reviewed by a warrant process focal point (FP) inaccordance with MP5301.603, paragraph 3.2.

(ii) SCOs may delegate this authority to the highest contractingofficial in the contracting chain at geographically separatedorganizations and AFRL detachments, but in no event will the designeebe lower than a GS-15 (or equivalent) or 0-6.

(iii) SCOs may delegate authority to issue CCO warrants of less than$5M and terminate appointments of less than $5M, but in no event willthe designee be lower than the COCO.

(iv) AFICA/KC is the warranting authority for AFCENT CCOs.

(5) Review of Air Force issued CCO warrants must be accomplishedannually by the warrant process FP to ensure CCO training currencyand to evaluate limitations set forth on the SF1402. The FP mustmaintain a record (hard copy or electronic) of these warrantvalidation results.

(6) Termination of CCO/home station warrants must be accomplishedwhen the

CCO permanently changes duty station and must be permanentlyterminated once the CCO ceases filling a contingency/deployableposition.

5301.603-3 Appointment

(b) Issuing authorities identified in5301.603-1 above may delegate the purchase authority described in FAR1.603-3(b) and DFARS 201.603-3(b), to non-contracting DoD civilianemployees and members of the U.S. Armed Forces, such astransportation personnel, medical supply personnel, librarians, andchiefs of construction management, provided:

(1) The written delegation specifies a dollar limit per transaction(e.g., per order, per call); the method(s) of award; and thesupplies, equipment and/or non-personal services, to includeconstruction, related to the individual s specialty that may beprocured. For example, librarians may buy books, but notconstruction materials or services; and,

(2) Personnel have completed contracting training commensurate withthe type of instrument(s) authorized to process and level ofresponsibility delegated.

See AFICC PGI 5301.603-2.

See AFMC PGI5301.603-90 .

See SMC PGI 5301.603-90.

5301.670 Appointment of Property Administrators and Plant ClearanceOfficers

(a) When the Air Force retains contractadministration, the COCO must select, appoint, or terminate (inwriting) property administrators and plant clearance officers.

SUBPART 5301.7 - DETERMINATIONS AND FINDINGS

5301.707 Signatory Authority

(a) Determinations andFindings (D&F) for actions requiring Senior Procurement Executive(SPE) or SAF/AQ approval must be coordinated with the DAS(C) or theADAS(C). The contracting officer must submit determinations forapproval simultaneously to SAF/AQand to SAF/AQCafter coordination by the SCO. Allow 18days for staffing andapproval after receipt by SAF/AQ. Include the approvedacquisition strategy (or a draft acquisition strategy if the strategydocument has not been approved) with the D&F package.

(b) The contracting officer must submit D&Fsfor actions requiring DAS(C)/ADAS(C) approval to SAF/AQCafter coordination by the SCO Allow 7 days for staffing and approvalafter receipt by SAF/AQC unless otherwise specified.

SUBPART 5301.90 - CLEARANCE

5301.9000 Scope and Definitions

(a) This subpart establishes clearancerequirements for the contract actions identified below:

(1) An action intended to result in award of any contract ormodification of any contract;

(2) An action intended to result in definitization of anundefinitized contract action (UCA), an undefinitized change order,or an undefinitized long lead contract;

(3) An action intended to result in the pricing of:

(i) an unpriced option or an option with a not-to-exceed price;

(ii) provisioned items orders (PIO);

(iii) unpriced orders under Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs), andFSS contracts, including GWACs; or

(iv) noncompetitive task or delivery orders under single or multipleaward indefinite delivery-type contracts.

(4) An action intended to result in issuance of a modificationimplementing a unilateral price determination;

(5) Orders issued under BOAs;

(6) An action intended to result in the exercise of an option whenthe option exercise is not in accordance with the previously approvedpricing arrangement or other contract terms and conditions.

(b) Excluded from business or contractclearances are:

(1) Actions that create a UCA, undefinitized change order,undefinitized long lead contract;

(2) Modifications for the payment of incentives or award fee that arein accordance with the terms and conditions of the incentive plan oraward fee plan;

(3) Funding modifications;

(4) Administrative modifications;

(5) Modifications solely for changes as a result of Service ContractLabor Standards statute wage rates/fringe benefits or Fair LaborStandards Act minimum wages; and

(6) Competitive order solicitations and orders issued in accordancewith FAR 8.4, 13, or 16.5 and against existing MAC ID/IQ, GWACs, andFSS contracts in accordance with the terms and conditions andordering procedures of the basic contract.
INTERIMCHANGE: See Policy Memo 20-C-15 .

(1) For competitive acquisitions, approval to issue thesolicitation.

(2) For noncompetitive contract actions, approval to beginnegotiations.

(d) Begin negotiations means, for thepurpose of noncompetitive contract actions, starting discussions withan offeror for the purpose of reaching agreement on all aspects ofthe proposal. Initiation of audits and fact-finding necessary toevaluate the proposal and develop the Government s negotiationobjective do not constitute negotiations.

(e) Contract Clearance means:

(1) For competitive acquisitions conducted without discussions,approval by the clearance approval authority (CAA) for the SourceSelection Authority (SSA) to make the decision to award.

(2) For competitive acquisitions with discussions -

(i) Approval by the CAA for the SSA to request final proposalrevisions in accordance with FAR 15.307; and

(ii) Approval by the CAA for the SSA to make a source selectiondecision.

(3) For noncompetitive contract actions, approval by the CAA toaward a contract or contract modification/contract action.

(f) Clearance Reviewer (CR) means theindependent reviewer and the primary advisor to the CAA forclearance. The CR ensures the CAA has the information needed to makean informed decision. The CR identifies deficiencies, assists inresolution, and advises the CAA as appropriate. When the CR is notfrom the designated CR office or individual identified in the PGI andis selected by the CAA, the CR must be an experienced contractingprofessional, a Government employee, and must not review their owncontract action.

(g) Clearance Approval Authority (CAA) means the individual identified at 5301.9001(i)(1).

(h) Clearance Review means theindependent review performed by the designated CR office orindividual identified in the PGI, or as otherwise selected by theCAA.

See SMC PGI 5301.9000.

5301.9001 Policy, Thresholds, and Approvals

(a) The objectives of the business andcontract clearance process are to ensure that:

(1) Contract actions effectively implement approved acquisitionstrategies;

(2) Negotiations and contract actions result in fair and reasonablebusiness arrangements;

(3) Negotiations and contract actions are consistent with laws,regulations, and policies; and

(4) An independent review and assessment by the clearance authorityfor the proposed contract action is accomplished.

(b) The CAA must ensure that the clearanceprocess meets the objectives in paragraph (a) above. See AF PGI5301.9001(b) for guidance on the use of multi-functional independentreview teams (MIRTS) in conjunction with competitive acquisitions.

(c) The CAA must seek legal advice (see5301.602-2(c)(i)) and ensure that counsel has coordinated on anyclearance briefings or presentations, and that counsel s commentsare included in the briefing or presentation.

(d) Only one clearancereview may be performed prior to the contract action being presentedto the CAA. The CR is responsible for the clearance review. The CAA may select an alternate CR who meets the requirementsidentified in paragraph 5301.9000(f). The CAA, in conjunction withthe SCO, has the authority to waive the clearance review.

(e) At the discretion of the CAA, contractclearance is not required when the negotiation team stays within thepre-set negotiation range and the parameters approved at the businessclearance.

(f) The CAA must justify, inwriting, requiring clearance for the solicitation or award of anycompetitive task or delivery order, regardless of dollar value, madein accordance with FAR 8.4, 13, or 16.505. SCOs must submit thejustification to SAF/AQC upon execution.
INTERIMCHANGE: See Policy Memo 20-C-15 .

(g) The Source SelectionAuthority (SSA) must not be the CAA

(h) The Milestone Decision Authority, PEO, orlead program manager must coordinate and/or participate in businessclearance briefings.

(i) Contract actions meeting the contractvalue thresholds set below must not be awarded without obtaining therequired businessand contract clearance approval. Contract value is determined bythe definition in FAR 1.108(c) and AF PGI 5301.108(c).

(1) Clearance Approval:

(i) The DAS(C) or ADAS(C) are the clearance approval authorities forall contract actions ≥$1B; and any other contract action identifiedas special interest by the DAS(C) or ADAS(C) regardless of dollaramount. The DAS(C) or ADAS(C) may delegate clearance authority on acase-by-case basis. The procedures in MP5301.9001(i)(1)(i)must be followed for clearance with the DAS(C) or ADAS(C).
INTERIMCHANGE: See Policy Memo 19-C-12 .

(ii) The CAA is the approval authority for all contract actions asdelegated in TABLE 1 below. The Table 1 thresholds represent theminimum delegation that must be made. SCOs may increase the specifieddollar thresholds at their discretion.

(iii) If a SCO reduces the thresholds or withholds the clearanceapproval authority from the designees in TABLE 1 below, the SCO mustnotify SAF/AQC. If the SCO reduces or withholds clearance approval authority formore than six months, the SCO must brief the DAS(C) regarding thecircumstances surrounding the decision.

Unit	Clearance Approval Authority	Clearance Approval Authority	Clearance Approval Authority ≥ $1B
Operational	COCO ≤ $10M	SCO > $10M to < $1B	DAS(C) / ADAS(C)
Enterprise	COCO ≤ $50M	SCO > $50M to < $1B	DAS(C) / ADAS(C)
PEO (Systems)	COCO ≤ $100M	SCO > $100M to < $1B	DAS(C) / ADAS(C)

TABLE 1(iv). To facilitate planning forSAF/AQC Clearance approvals, SCOs must use the reportingtool to project SAF/AQC Clearance approvals.

(2) For PEO and Enterprise contracting, business and contractclearance are required for actions greater than or equal to $5M.

(3) For Operational contracting, business andcontract clearance are required for actions greater than or equal to$3M. Contracting squadrons or their equivalents will assignsubordinate thresholds within their organization with approvalauthority at least one level above the CO for contract actionsgreater than $500K. On a case-by-case basis, the SCO may review aspecific contract action below the established threshold in order toensure compliance with applicable standards and practices. The SCOmay lower the threshold below $3M or rescind a previously grantedincreased threshold for a subordinate contracting unit.
INTERIMCHANGE: See Policy Memo 20-C-02 .

(4) SCOs are responsible for ensuring all further delegations ofclearance approval authorities are included in the PGI.

(5) When a contracting official is the Source Selection Authority(SSA) for a particular acquisition, the CAA must be a level above thecontracting official. If the SCO or their deputy is the SSA, the CAAfor that acquisition must be the DAS(C)/ADAS(C). Clearancerequests must be sent to SAF/AQCfor approval by the DAS(C)/ADAS(C).

See AF PGI 5301.9001(b).

See AFDW PGI 5301.90.

See AFICC PGI 5301.90.

See AFMC PGI 5301.90.

See SMC PGI 5301.9001.

See USAFA PGI 5301.90.

SUBPART 5301.91 - OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM

5301.9101 Purpose

Thepurpose of the Air Force ombudsman program is to foster communicationbetween Government and industry. The primary function of theombudsman is to hear concerns about specific issues in acquisitions,to communicate these concerns to senior management personnelresponsible for oversight and to assist in the resolution of theconcerns. In accordance with 5301.9102(f)below, employees, managers and customers may use the Air Forcecomponent ombudsman when seeking assistance in resolving procurementintegrity issues.

5301.9102 Policy

(a) MAJCOM/DRU/AFRCO/SMC/SpRCO Commanders mustappoint an experienced senior official who is independent of thecontracting officer and program manager as the ombudsman at theirorganization. For AFMC Centers, an ombudsman is required at eachCenter, instead of at the MAJCOM. Centers may also have an ombudsmanat each Operating Location/Geographically Separated Unit.

(b) The ombudsman will have the authority tocall upon other resources of the activity to assist in resolvingacquisition issues or concerns (e.g., administrative support,independent review teams).

(c) Contracting officers must identify theombudsman in the initial announcement of the acquisition as well asin the draft and final RFP.

(d) The ombudsman must:

(1) Support acquisition personnel in the resolution of issues orconcerns raised by interested parties;

(2) Act in a manner that does not compromise the interested partyand, if requested, maintain anonymity of the parties;

(3) Avoid any appearance of usurping normal procurement authority(e.g., program manager, contracting officer, and source selectionauthority);

(4) Ensure all affected or knowledgeable offices and officials areconsulted as part of any resolution process;

(5) Inform the Commander/Director, or PEO, as required, of issuesraised and actions taken;

(6) Review complaints relative to multiple-award task and deliveryorder contracts awarded under 10 U.S.C. 2304a(d)(1)(B) or 2304b(e) toensure that all contractors are afforded a fair opportunity to beconsidered for task and delivery orders in excess of themicro-purchase threshold, consistent with the procedures in thecontract;

(7) Consistent with security requirements, have access to theappropriate offices and be allowed to collect all facts relevant tothe resolution of issues raised by interested parties. Ombudsmen aregranted access to proprietary information. Source selectioninformation must be obtained through the source selection authority.

(e) The Ombudsman Program does not replace theagency level protest, GAO bid protest or disputes processes.

(f) The Air Force ombudsman is the ADAS(C),who may take action to assist in resolving issues, concerns,disagreements, and recommendations that cannot be resolved at theMAJCOM/DRU/SMC level, or for those having Air Force wideimplications. The ADAS(C) is the AF ombudsman for procurementintegrity issues (see OUSD(AT&L)/DPAPmemo, 1 Oct 09).

(g) Government personnel may use the OmbudsmanProgram as a way to express concerns about an acquisition.

See AFICC PGI 5301.9102

SeeAFMC PGI 5301.91

SeeUSAFA PGI 5301-9102(a)

5301.9103 Solicitation Provision and Contract Clause

Insert a clause substantially the same as the clause at AFFARS5352.201-9101, Ombudsman, in all solicitations (including draftsolicitations) and contracts.

SeeSMC PGI 5301.9103

2019 Edition 5301- 14