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9-1. Required Sources
a. Cardholders must purchase in accordance with the priorities set forth in FAR Part 8 , along with use of mandatory sources (i.e., inventories of the requiring agency, excess from other agencies, FPI supplies on the Procurement List maintained by AbilityOne, wholesale supply sources, services on the Procurement List maintained by AbilityOne, and other mandatory sources as specified in FAR 8.003) or optional sources (i.e., FSS; Governmentwide acquisition contracts; multi-agency contracts; any other procurement instruments intended for use by multiple agencies, including BPAs under FSS contracts; FPI; and commercial sources (including educational and nonprofit institutions) in the open market).
b. Coordinated Acquisition Assignments. Requiring activities must obtain the assigned supplies listed in DFARS PGI 208.7006 from the Component responsible to supply the commodity through use of a MIPR as prescribed in DFARS 208.7002 and DFARS PGI 208.7004 . Examples of assigned commodities include flags/pennants, badges/insignia, tents, weapons, ammunition, and explosives.
Table 9-1: FAR Part 8 - Required Sources of Supplies and Services
| Regulatory Reference | Supplies and Services |
| FAR 8.002 Priorities for Use of Mandatory Sources | Supplies 1. Inventories of the requiring agency 2. Excess from other agencies 3. Federal Prison Industries (UNICOR) 4. AbilityOne – products on Procurement List 5. Wholesale supply sources, such as stock programs of GSA, DLA, and military inventory control points Services Services on the Procurement List - by the Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled Note: Sources other than those listed above may be used as prescribed in 41 CFR 101-26.301 and in an unusual and compelling urgency as prescribed in 6.302-2 and in 41 CFR 101-25.101-5. |
| FAR Part 8.003 Use of Other Mandatory Sources | 1. Public utility services (See FAR 41.) 2. Printing and related supplies (See FAR 8.8.) 3. Leased motor vehicles (See FAR 8.11.) 4. Strategic, critical materials (e.g., metals, ores) from inventories exceeding Defense National Stockpile requirements. |
| FAR Part 8.004 Use of Other Sources | Agencies are encouraged to consider satisfying requirements from the non-mandatory sources listed in paragraph (a) of this section before considering the non-mandatory source listed in paragraph (b). See 7.105(b) and part 19 regarding consideration of small businesses and socioeconomic programs. (a) (1) Supplies. FSS, Governmentwide acquisition contracts, multi-agency contracts, and other procurement instruments intended for use by multiple agencies, including BPAs under FSS contracts (e.g., FSSI BPAs). (2) Services. Agencies are encouraged to consider Federal Prison Industries, Inc., as well as the sources listed in paragraph (a)(1) of this section. (b) Commercial open market sources (to include commercial platforms). |
Table 9-2: Mandatory Sources for Certain Commodities
| Commodity | Examples | Mandatory Source | Specific Instructions |
| Office Furniture | Tables, file cabinets, furniture systems (cubicle dividers), industrial shelving | UNICOR/ Federal Prison Industries | Consider UNICOR for any FPI schedule items above $3,500. See paragraph 9-2. |
| Office Supplies | Printer toner, copy paper, pens, pencils, staplers, staples, self-stick pads, file folders | Local AbilityOne Base Supply Store (BSC) if available, or through the sources | Shop local/installation AbilityOne BSCs first, if applicable. See paragraph 9-3. |
| Information Technology | Computers, software, video-teleconferencing equipment, peripherals, IT services | Computer Hardware, Enterprise Software and Solutions (CHESS) | Mandatory for all IT purchases, unless you obtain a SoNA. See paragraph 9-4. |
| Cellular Services | Cellular phones, wireless tablets, wireless service | Navy Spiral 4 Contracts | See paragraph 9-5. |
| Print Devices and Services | Printers, copiers, scanners. Maintenance and repairs. Banners, decals, manuals. | DLA Document Services | See paragraph 9-6 for details and exemptions. |
| Heraldry | Official flags, guidons, streamers | Clothing and Heraldry PSID | See para 9-7 and AR 840-10. |
