a. Sustainable Procurement. Sustainable procurement is the purchase of environmentally preferable products and services in accordance with federally-mandated "green" procurement preference programs. The goal is to achieve 100% compliance with mandatory Federal affirmative procurement programs in all acquisition transactions. This policy applies to all acquisitions from major systems programs to individual unit supply and service requisitions. For more information on sustainable procurement, see FAR 23 or specific sustainable policies located at https://www.denix.osd.mil/spp/guidance/index.html.

b. FedMall. FedMall is a Government e-commerce acquisition platform which may be used for procuring supplies beyond those listed in Section 8-1. CHs who use FedMall are required to register for a FedMall account. To register, CHs will need to know their Department of Defense Activity Address Code (DoDAAC) or their Activity Address Code (AAC). If FedMall does not recognize the CH’s DoDAAC or AAC, CHs should contact their A/OPC to request the contracting office’s Procurement DoDAAC for registration. FedMall is accessible through the CH’s PIEE account via the FedMall icon.

c. General Services Administration (GSA) Programs. GSA maintains the Federal Supply Schedule program, also known as the GSA Schedules Program or the Multiple Award Schedule Program. GSA offers an online shopping service called GSA Advantage! through which CHs may place orders against Schedules. CHs may also use GSA Advantage! to place orders through GSA’s Global Supply System, a GSA wholesale supply source, formerly known as "GSA Stock" or the "Customer Supply Center."

1) GSA Advantage! enables CHs to search specific information (e.g., national stock number, part number, common name), review delivery options, place orders directly with Schedule contractors, and pay for orders using the GPC.

2) CHs may place orders up to the MPT with any FSS contractor that can meet the agency’s needs. Although not required to solicit from a specific number of schedule contractors, ordering activities should attempt to distribute orders among contractors.

3) Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative (FSSI) agreements are accessible at FSSI. Cardholders should consider FSSI before using commercial sources.

d. Specific guidance on the use of required sources and order of precedence of sources is prescribed in FAR Part 8 and DFARS Part 208. In addition to mandatory sources, CHs should strongly consider purchasing from small businesses and small disadvantaged businesses whenever possible.

e. Commercial Sources. Before purchasing from a commercial source, CHs must review applicable mandatory sources (see Table 9-1) and non-mandatory Government sources (e.g., FedMall and GSA). CHs should rotate commercial sources. CHs may purchase from a commercial source if the requested supplies or services are unavailable from the applicable mandatory source. Price is an unacceptable reason to avoid a mandatory source. CHs may choose a commercial source over a non-mandatory Government source, if the commercial quote is more favorable due to minimum order quantity, delivery time, price, etc. When buying from a commercial source, CHs should include a justification in the purchase request form or file documentation explaining why they chose a non-Government source.