Sole Source Contracts & Direct Awards Using J&A

Description

With the rework to the 8(a) program , Sole source contracts are changing. Sole Source contracts represent a significant portion of government contract awards and are used by many Contracting Officers because they are fast, easy, and don’t require reviewing dozens of proposals. Contractors like them because they can literally eliminate the competition.

This briefing will provide an updated look at the Sole Source contracting space and how companies can identify and capture opportunities. Since the beginning of the Trump Administration, a wave of speed, uncertainty and shifting priorities are driving contract actions. With billions expected to be spent, the race is already underway, especially as agencies anticipate changes to mission focus. The use of Sole Source awards is expanding under both long-standing and newly re-emphasized authorities - these pathways are especially critical as agency programs are under pressure to both spend efficiently and realign with changing priorities.

Your company may qualify for streamlined Sole Source awards worth $7 million or more, particularly through approvals by high-level procurement officials like the Senior Procurement Executive (e.g., ASAALT at DoD). With shifting policy signals from the admin, now is the time to position your business as a fast-response, no-hassle partner for federal buyers under pressure.

Recommended attending personnel:

Recommended attendees for this briefing include small businesses holding socio-economic certifications such as:

• All Businesses with proprietary technology or processes
• Small Businesses
• Socio-Economic Certified Companies: 8(a), WOSB & EDWOSB, SDVOSB/VOSB, HubZone
• All companies possessing patents and proprietary intellectual property interested in teaming arrangements with qualified small businesses, are encouraged to participate.

Important: This briefing uses a Zoom-based communication connection via your network. This briefing will be accessible via phone if you are unable to connect online and recorded versions will be distributed with closed-caption for the hearing impaired. Instructions for login will be provided upon registration.

Agenda

Topical Overview

• What is a Sole Source Contract
• How Sole-Source Contracts Work
• Why Buyers Use Sole-Source
• When Buyers Use Sole Source
• What You Can Do Right Now To Win

Sole-Source Overview

• FAR Terminology
• Types of Sole-Source
• Contracting Act of 1984
• Qualifying for a Sole-Source
• Limiting Sources Using GSA Schedule Holders

What is a J&A and Who Can Use Them?

• Approval and Award Levels
• No Approval Needed
• Simplified Acquisition (up to $750K)
• Large Contract Approval

Sole-Source Opportunities

• Pitching Your Sole-Source J&A
• What Approvers Are Looking For
• Requesting Sole-Source
• Responding to Sole-Source

Case Studies

• Making Your Product/Service Unique
• Aligning Pain Points with Pitch Points
• Leveraging Urgency

Templates

• Choosing Your FAR Clause
• Aligning Your Solution
• Using Agency Guidance

Engaging Federal Customers

• Procurement
• Project/Program Managers
• Other Influencers

Final Remarks