Subpart 5106.5 - Advocates for Competition

(1) The Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Procurement serves as the Army Advocate for Competition (AAFC). Heads of contracting activities (HCAs), delegable only to their senior contracting official, may appoint a command advocate for competition (CAFC) and alternates within their contracting activities. HCAs shall appoint at least one CAFC for each contracting activity. In addition, the HCA shall appoint a local advocate for competition wherever there is a small business specialist appointed for that organization. See Appendix GG .

(2) Designation of advocates for competition at contracting offices subordinate to contracting activities depends on the nature of the contracting mission of the office, the volume of significant contracting actions, the complexity of acquisition planning, and other responsibilities of such local advocates. Advocates for competition may be appointed on a part-time basis or as an additional duty when there are no conflicts of interest.

(a) Local advocates for competition are an extension of the CAFC office and assist the CAFC in the accomplishment of their responsibilities.

(b)(2) Command advocates for competition must report the following information to the AAFC (see address at AFARS 5101.290 Routing documents and mailing addresses.(b)(2)(ii)(C)) no later than November 15 of each year, or as the AAFC specifies—

(A) The level of competition achieved against their goal for the fiscal year and, if applicable, reasons for not attaining the goal.

(B) Significant actions taken to increase competition or overcome barriers to competition, number of new sources identified as a result of market research, notable savings or performance or quality enhancements resulting from competition, and employees recognized for initiatives to enhance competition.

(C) Mitigating factors affecting goal achievement.

(D) A plan for competition in the coming fiscal year.

(E) Any other activities and accomplishments.

(F) Their competition goal for the coming fiscal year.

(3) Before seeking approval, CAFCs will coordinate their activity’s annual competition goals with the local small business specialist to balance socio-economic and competition goals with organizational interests.