# DLAD PART 6

- 6.003 Definitions.

- SUBPART 6.1 - FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

- 6.101 Policy.

- SUBPART 6.2 - FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

- 6.202 Establishing or maintaining alternative sources.
- 6.203 Set-asides for small business.

- SUBPART 6.3 - OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

- 6.302-2 Unusual and compelling urgency.
- 6.302-3 Industrial mobilization; or engineering, developmental, or research capability; or expert services.
- 6.302-7 Public interest.

- 6.303 Justifications.

- 6.303-1 Requirements.
- 6.303-2 Content.

- 6.304 Approval of the justification.

- SUBPART 6.5 - COMPETITION ADVOCATES

- 6.501 Requirement.
- 6.502 Duties and responsibilities.
- 6.503 Annual Reporting Requirements. For details see Mandatory PGI 6.503.

PART 6

COMPETITION REQUIREMENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

6.003 Definitions.

SUBPART 6.1 - FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

6.101 Policy.

SUBPART 6.2 - FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

6.202 Establishing or maintaining alternative sources.

6.203 Set-asides for small business.

SUBPART 6.3 - OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

6.302-2 Unusual and compelling urgency.

6.302-3 Industrial mobilization; engineering, developmental, or

research capability; or expert services.

6.302-7 Public interest.

6.303 Justifications.

6.303-1 Requirements.

6.303-2 Content.

6.304 Approval of the justification.

SUBPART 6.5 - COMPETITION ADVOCATES

6.501 Requirement.

6.502 Duties and responsibilities.

6.503 Annual Reporting Requirements

6.003 Definitions.

"Procuring activity," as used in this Part and in FAR Part 6 and DFARS Part 206, means the contracting activities defined in DFARS 202.101 and the following:

Defense Distribution Center.

Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service.

Defense National Stockpile Center.

Defense Media Center (Formerly Television-Audio Support Activity.)

Document Automation and Production Service.

DLA Enterprise Support

SUBPART 6.1 - FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

6.101 Policy.

(a) An acquisition provides for full and open competition if:

(90) The solicitation contains or references a complete, unrestrictive technical data package.

(91) Such data can be used for a determination of responsiveness/technical acceptability.

(92) The solicitation and the circumstances of the solicitation contain no limiting restrictions other than those required by law or regulation; and

(93) The Government has taken all reasonable steps to promote full and open competition:

(i) Ensured that specifications are not unduly restrictive in that they reflect the Government's needs, and are, to the maximum degree possible, functional in nature.

(ii) Performed market surveys and/or market research, as appropriate.

(iii) Complied with FAR Subpart 5.2.

(iv) Otherwise taken all reasonable steps to inform potential suppliers of its requirement.

The number of offers expected or received against the solicitation is not relevant to the determination that an acquisition does or does not provide for full and open competition. For example, if all the above conditions are met, an acquisition for an item on a Qualified Products List is full and open competition regardless of the number of products qualified (see FAR 9.2).

SUBPART 6.2 - FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

6.202 Establishing or maintaining alternative sources.

(b)(1) Authority to sign determinations and findings (D&Fs) required by FAR 6.202(b)(1) has been delegated to the Director, Acquisition Management, (J-7) . Proposed D&Fs shall be forwarded to J-7 for signature by the Executive Director, Acquisition, Technical, and Supply Directorate. Requests to sign proposed D&Fs shall be forwarded by a letter of transmittal signed by the Commander of the requesting component or the Administrator, DNSC, the Director, DAPS, or the DES: Staff Director, HQC Operations. The letter of transmittal shall include:

(i) The proposed D&F in the format specified in DFARS 206.202(b)(ii) and supporting documentation in accordance with DFARS 206.202(b)(i).

(ii) The acquisition plan (see FAR Subpart 7.1).

6.203 Set-asides for small business.

(b)(90) Notwithstanding the criteria for full and open competition in 6.101, when an acquisition (or portion thereof) is set-aside for small businesses in accordance with FAR Subpart 19.5, and complete, unrestrictive technical data is not available, no justification for other than full and open competition is required.

SUBPART 6.3 - OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

6.302-2 Unusual and compelling urgency.

(b)(90) Justifications and Approvals (J&A) for Issue Priority Group I (IPG I) requirements (i.e. Priority Designators 01, 02 and 03) citing Not Mission Capable Supply indicators (MILSTRIP position 62-64) of 999, N** or E** and/or Office of the Secretary of Defense/Joint Chiefs of Staff projects codes (MILSTRIP position 57-58) beginning with "9" shall cite both the priority and these additional indicators of urgency as the basis for limiting competition. No additional information is required to show harm to the Government. Contracting Officers shall accept the assignment of these indicators (which are assigned by the Commanding Officer of the requisitioning unit or his designated representative) as the certification of urgency and harm to the Government by technical or requirements' personnel required by FAR Subpart 6.303-2. The requirements certification, in such cases, resides with the customer. Such certifications do not have to be on the J&A.

(b)(91) Requirements citing a priority designator 01, 02 or 03 with no other indicator of urgency may also cite the priority alone as the basis for urgency. If the circumstances of such procurements seem questionable (for example, the item being procured seems routine in nature or items are repeatedly requisitioned with high priority designators), it may be appropriate to obtain additional information from the customer to further explain the urgency. Although DLAD 4410.1, Uniform Material Movement and Issue Priority System, states that priorities will not be challenged in DSC processing, the request for additional information to support the J&A does not constitute a challenge to the priority assigned. If misapplication of priority is suspected, these instances should be reported in accordance with DLAD 4410.1.

(c) Limitations.

(2) Whenever competition is limited pursuant to this authority, the historically lowest priced source(s) shall be solicited. An award may be made to other than the lowest priced offeror provided the premium paid is reasonable and consistent with the extent to which delivery is required to be expedited. Quoted prices and delivery terms for each source solicited shall be fully documented, along with rationale which clearly supports source selection. (See 13.106(c)(1).)

6.302-3 Industrial mobilization; or engineering, developmental, or research capability; or expert services.

(90) Contracts awarded under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(3), (see FAR 6.302-3(a)(2)(i) shall include a surge option clause (see DFARS 217.2008-70(b)) or some other type of surge readiness provision.

6.302-7 Public interest.

(c) Limitations.

(1)(i) Requests for making determinations and findings (D&Fs) under authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(7), as implemented by FAR 6.302-7, shall be forwarded to J-7 by a letter of transmittal signed by the Commander of the component for submission, through the USD(A&T), to the Secretary of Defense.

(3) Every request to exercise the authority of FAR 6.302-7(a) shall be accompanied by a justification (see FAR 6.303) supporting the D&F.

6.303 Justifications.

6.303-1 Requirements.

(b) DLA contracting offices shall establish approval levels for the certifications required by FAR 6.303-1(b).

(d) The agency point of contact with the Office of the United States Trade Representative is J-71.

6.303-2 Content.

(a)(11) The justification shall include, when applicable, a description of (i) the action being taken to obtain a data package adequate to establish competitive acquisition of the item and (ii) market research efforts to eliminate impediments to subsequent acquisitions. The Contracting Officer shall follow the mandatory procedures at DLAD PGI 6.303-2(a)(11).

(a)(90) Justifications requiring approval by the Senior Procurement Executive, DLA, should be prepared using the following format which may be adapted and supplemented to suit the needs of the particular acquisition, provided each justification 1) includes the specified topic headings, 2) cites the associated statutory requirement of 10 U.S.C. 2304(f)(3)(A)-(F), and 3) sets forth the facts and rationale in a logical sequence. Under each heading, use as many paragraphs as needed to explain the justification. Avoid jargon and overly technical or esoteric language. Numbering of sections and paragraphs is recommended for ease of reference.

Title: “Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition for [item/service to be purchased] under authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304 [specific exception number].”

1. Summary/Introduction: State in a few sentences 1) the field activity/agency, 2) what is being bought, 3) the estimated value and contract duration, and 4) the statutory authority cited for other than full and open competition. (This introductory section should be concise, as these points will be developed in detail later in the document.)

2. Description of Agency’s Need (10 U.S.C. 2304(f)(3)(A)): Include a summary of the origin of the procurement, a description of the supplies/services needed, the specific need or use for the item/service, and any other general information needed to understand the context of the procurement. If this is a lengthy section, additional topic headings may be appropriate, such as “Background,” “Current Procurement Efforts,” etc.

3. Authority for Other than Full and Open Competition (10 U.S.C. 2304(f)(3)(B)): Cite the authority and provide the rationale. If a particular company’s unique qualifications are critical, discuss those here. This section should include all facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition. This section should also address why the full quantity to be contracted for needs to be purchased without using competitive procedures.

4. Price/Cost Considerations (10 U.S.C. 2304(f)(3)(C)): Discuss relevant pricing issues, including the basis for determining that the anticipated price/cost will be fair and reasonable. Also include here, or elsewhere as appropriate, length of contract, quantity, and other contract particulars bearing on the price/cost.

5. Market Research/Efforts to Obtain Competition (10 U.S.C. 2304(f)(3)(D)&(E): Discuss market research, synopsis, and other efforts made to publicize the requirement and generate competition. Also include a listing of sources that expressed, in writing, an interest in the procurement. (Market Research may be addressed separately, if appropriate.)

6. Actions Being Taken to Overcome Barriers to Competition (10 U.S.C. 2304(f)(3)(F)): Describe, for example, any efforts to identify and evaluate less restrictive methods of expressing the requirement. Include, when applicable, a description of the action being taken to obtain a data package adequate to acquire the item competitively in future acquisitions. Note: When the J&A will include items coded AMSC A and/or H, see mandatory details at DLAD PGI 6.303-2(a)(90)(6)(a).

I hereby certify that the information contained in this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

__________________ _______________________

Date Contracting Officer

Over $78.5 million:

Other signatures as appropriate:

_______________________

Chief Counsel

_______________________

Other

I have reviewed and hereby recommend that this Justification be approved:

DLA Competition Advocate ________________________

Signature and Date

_________________________

DLA office of Counsel Signature and Date

Approval:

DLA Senior Procurement Executive ________________________

Signature and Date

(a)(91) Justifications and approvals (J&A's) for awards made under broad agency announcements that support industrial mobilization.

(1) J&A's for noncompetitive awards made in support of industrial mobilization must properly address the compelling reasons for limiting awards to a particular source or sources and the unique capabilities of the targeted source(s) to support the industrial base. FAR 6.302-3(a)(2) requires that the contracting officer demonstrate that other than full and open competition is necessary in order to "keep vital facilities or suppliers in business or make them available" in case of a national emergency or to achieve industrial mobilization. Generally, the J&A must contain sufficient information about the item or service and the supporting industrial sector to demonstrate clearly that the contracting officer's determination to include a particular source or sources in, and exclude others from, the supply base for that item or service is appropriate.

(2) The contracting officer shall address the following considerations in the J&A:

(a) the relationship between the agency's program objectives and the acquisition strategy employed;

(b) the nature of the item or service (e.g., complexity, criticality, unique features) and the supporting industrial sector (e.g., industry capacity, are sources domestic or foreign, small or large, planned producers, dependent on government business);

(c) the current supply environment (e.g., if the item is currently stocked in inventory, discuss why the agency cannot continue to buy this item in quantity and stock it; further, discuss why the agency must employ a different supply method, such as quick response or direct vendor delivery, in order to maintain defense readiness); and

(d) the unique capabilities of a particular source (or sources) to meet agency mobilization requirements, such as 24 hour delivery, surge capability, or dual-use technology.

(3) The J&A shall also include the following information:

(a) a description of how the specific item or service was selected.

(b) how the volume of requirements to be awarded was determined appropriate;

(c) volume and proposed disposition of any remaining requirements for the designated item or service;

(d) future plans for implementing successful strategies using full and open competition.

(4) The contracting officer shall consult with his/her Office of Counsel in the preparation of J&A's in support of industrial mobilization.

(b)(90) In addition to the examples provided in FAR 6.303-2(b), requirements personnel shall certify that:

(i) The purchase request covers only that quantity needed to satisfy an unusual and compelling urgency; and

(ii) For stocked items, the items are out of stock or existing stock is insufficient to satisfy the requirement, and, if possible, an explanation of why existing stocks are insufficient or the item is out of stock; for non-stocked items, a statement to that effect.

6.304 Approval of the justification.

(a)(3) Proposed contracts over $11.5 million but not exceeding $78.5 million require approval of the head of the contracting activity (HCA). For those contracting offices not designated as contracting activities listed at 2.101, the HCA is the Director, Acquisition Management, J-7.

(a)(3)(90) Justifications for those contracting offices listed at 2.101 requiring approval by the Director, Acquisition Management, J-7 serving as the head of the procuring activity for purposes of approval of the justification (including class justifications based on estimated total value of the class) shall be forwarded to J-73 by a letter of transmittal signed by the Commander of the activity requesting approval (Director for DAPS, Administrator for DNSC; Director for DES; Executive Director for DMC). The letter of transmittal shall be forwarded sufficiently early as to allow for Headquarters review and approvals prior to the commencement of negotiations. The letter of transmittal shall include:

(i) The proposed justification (see FAR 6.303).

(ii) The acquisition plan (see FAR Subpart 7.1).

(iii) Any other pertinent supporting facts or information bearing on a decision to approve the justification.

(a)(4) See FAR 6.304

(a)(4)(B)(2)(90) This authority has been delegated to the Director, Acquisition Management, J-7 by the Director, DLA.

(a)(4)(B)(2)(91) Justifications requiring approval by the Senior Procurement Executive (including class justifications based on estimated total value of the class) shall follow the procedures at 6.304(a)(3)(90) for submitting requests to HQ.

(a)(4)(B)(2)(92) The DLA competition advocate shall review and recommend approval/disapproval of justifications exceeding $75 million.

SUBPART 6.5 - COMPETITION ADVOCATES

6.501 Requirement.

(90)(a) The Director, Acquisition Management (J-7), shall designate the Agency Competition Advocate.

(b) In accordance with delegated authority from the Director, Acquisition Management, the Heads of Contracting Activities (HCA) shall appoint activity competition and an alternate activity competition advocates, as needed, for their respective procuring activities. Those activities for which the Director, Acquisition Management (J-7), is the HCA will forward nomination recommendations to J-72 signed by the activity’s Commander or Director. FAR 6.501(b) and (c) shall be considered when appointing or nominating individuals to perform the duties and responsibilities outlined in FAR 6.502(a), and appointed or nominated individuals shall be Level III certified in contracting in accordance with the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA).

(c) Where more than one activity competition advocate is assigned for a procuring activity, the HCA shall designate one activity competition advocate to serve as the Manager of the activity’s competition advocacy program.

6.502 Duties and responsibilities.

(90) Agency Competition Advocate

(a) In addition to the duties and responsibilities outlined in FAR 6.502, the agency competition advocate shall perform the duties and responsibilities outlined at PGI 6.502(90)(a)(1)-(4).

(91) Activity Competition Advocate

(a) In addition to the duties and responsibilities outlined in FAR 6.502(a), the activity competition advocate shall perform the duties and responsibilities outlined at PGI 6.502(91)(a)(1)–(6).

6.503 Annual Reporting Requirements. For details see Mandatory PGI 6.503.