PART 7 -- ACQUISITION PLANNING
SUBPART 7.1 -- ACQUISITION PLANS
7.103 Agency-head responsibilities.
7.105 Contents of written acquisition plans.
207.170 Consolidation of contract requirements.
207.170-3 Policies and procedures.
SUBPART 7.5 -- INHERENTLY GOVERNMENTAL FUNCTIONS
Acquisition of Information Technology (IT) (DARS 39). Acquiring IT, including National Security System (NSS) IT, by any method including contract, grant, cooperative agreement, international agreement, interagency (Economy Act) order, or any “other transaction.”
Acquisition Review Board (ARB). The ARB is a ”Senior Forum” chaired by the Component Acquisition Executive to give guidance, direction, coordination, and/or approval on selected major acquisitions and procurements, programs, projects, and services. An ARB is convened by the Chairperson to ensure expected outcomes are aligned with the Agency’s and Department of Defense’s mission and vision, mission partner capability requirements, and to manage cost, schedule, and technical performance risk.
Acquisition Support Center (ASC). The mission of the Acquisition Support Center is to provide expert advice and hands-on assistance to the acquisition workforce that empowers them to deliver capabilities in a repeatable, credible and transparent manner. Additional information can be found at: https://east.esps.disa.mil/DISA/ORG/AT3/default.aspx.
Component Acquisition Executive (CAE). The CAE has oversight and review authority for all acquisition matters and reports to the Director, DISA. The CAE has the authority and is accountable for all acquisition functions and activities in the Agency. (Source: DISAI 610-225-
2)
Director for Procurement (PLD). Serves as the HCA for the Agency and the approval authority for APs with a specific threshold, for classified and unclassified procurements. The HCA also serves as the Source Selection Authority (SSA) for competitive negotiated procurements at/or exceeding $100 million in value.
DISA Mission Partner. Internal DISA program office (i.e., requirements office)
DISA Program/Project. A DISA funded logical grouping of requirements designed to provide a new, improved, or continuing capability in response to a validated operational capability.
DISA Program Plan. A budgetary plan of requirements supporting a specific DISA Program for any given fiscal year (FY). The Annual Program Plan Review is the forum for obtaining program plan approval.
High-Risk Contracts/CLINs. High-risk contracts include non-competitive or limited competition contracts and cost reimbursement and time-and-materials/labor-hour contracts. High-Risk CLINs are cost reimbursement and time-and-materials/labor-hour types. When a combination of types is used (sometimes referred to as a “hybrid”), the contract is considered high-risk if the high-risk CLINs constitute 50% or more of the total estimated cost. The definition of high-risk does not include directed 8(a) contracts.
Integrated Product Team (IPT). A cross-functional team formed for the specific purpose of delivering a capability for an external or internal mission partner.
Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE). The IGCE is a required evaluation tool in DISA source selections. As such its integrity is critical, and the PMO shall be responsible for ensuring that appropriate technical and cost and price analysts are involved in its development.
Non-DISA Mission Partner. An external program office (i.e., requirements office), such as other
DoD Components and other Federal Agencies.
Program Executive Officer (PEO). A PEO is appointed by the CAE to manage portfolios of programs, projects, initiatives, and services. (Source: DISA I 610-225-2)
Program Manager (PM) or Program Management Office (PMO). The designated person (i.e., requirements official) or office who is responsible for developing and maintaining a written plan, or for the planning function in those acquisitions not requiring a written plan.
Senior Decision Authority (SDA). An SDA is an executive level official designated by the CAE
to manage portfolios of programs, projects and services.
(a) PLD prescribes policies and procedures for acquisition planning in accordance with FAR
7.103 and DFARS 207.103 that are consistent with the guidelines provided therein. Format and content of the combined acquisition strategy/acquisition plan (AS/AP), standard and streamlined acquisition plan (AP) are located at https://www.ditco.disa.mil/DitcoContractingTemplates/doku.php?id=acquisition_plan_ap_templates.
In routing of the combined AS/AP or standard AP, the PMO shall include a draft statement of objectives/performance work statement/statement of work, an Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE) or cost estimate and the Market Research Report. The DISA IGCE Handbook can be found at https://www.ditco.disa.mil/hq/deskbooks/DISA%20IGCE%20Deskbook.doc. The Market Research Report template can be found at https://www.ditco.disa.mil/DitcoContractingTemplates/doku.php?id=market_research_report_template.
(e) Written combined AS/APs, standard APs, or streamlined APs shall be prepared for FAR Parts 8, 12, 15, and 16 acquisition requirements meeting the thresholds under (S-91). A written plan (combined AS/AP, standard or streamlined) shall be prepared for all cost reimbursement and other high-risk contracts exceeding $5M, regardless of the estimated contract value (threshold) or acquisition type in (S-90).
(S-90) Thresholds, AP Template Type, and Approval Authority.
(1) Cost Reimbursement or Other High-Risk Contracts/CLINs
Table 7-1 AP Cost Reimbursement Approval Authority
Dollar Threshold |
Award Action |
Acq Plan Type |
Approval Authority |
<$50M (all FYs) |
Order and Contract |
Streamlined |
COCO |
≥$50M to $100M (all FYs) |
Order |
Streamlined |
HCO |
≥$100M (all FYs) |
Order |
Streamlined |
SPE |
≥$50M to $100M (all FYs) |
Contract |
Combined AS/AP** or Standard AP |
HCO |
≥$100M (all FYs) |
Contract |
Combined AS/AP** or Standard AP |
SPE |
**NOTE: See (S-91)(3) for Combination AS/AP Exceptions
(2) Development Contracts, as defined in FAR 35.001
Table 7-2 AP Development Contracts Approval Authority
Dollar Threshold |
Award Action |
Acq Plan Type |
Approval Authority |
≥$10M to $50M |
Order and Contract |
Streamlined |
COCO |
≥$50M to $100M |
Order |
Streamlined |
HCO |
≥$100M |
Order |
Streamlined |
SPE |
≥$50M to $100M |
Contract |
Combined AS/AP** or Standard AP |
HCO |
≥$100M |
Contract |
Combined AS/AP** or Standard AP |
SPE |
**NOTE: See (S-91)(3) for Combination AS/AP Exceptions
(3) Production or Services
Table 7-3 AP Production or Services Approval Authority
Dollar Threshold |
Award Action |
Acq Plan Type |
Approval Authority |
≥$50M to $100M (All Years) ≥$25M to $100M (Any Fiscal Year) |
Order |
Streamlined |
HCO |
≥$100M |
Order |
Streamlined |
SPE |
≥$50M to $100M (All Years) ≥$25M to $100M (Any Fiscal Year) |
Contract |
Combined AS/AP** or Standard AP |
HCO |
≥$100M |
Contract |
Combined AS/AP** or Standard AP |
SPE |
**NOTE: See (S-91)(3) for Combination AS/AP Exceptions
(S-91) Exceptions.
(1) The following acquisitions do not require either a Streamlined AP or a Standard AP:
(i) Modifications within the scope of the contract or that make changes authorized by the Changes clause;
(ii) Modifications that exercise options;
(iii) Modifications that only provide additional funding;
(iv) Orders under single award ID/IQs and BPAs;
(v) Basic research efforts in which the emphasis is on achieving specified objectives and knowledge rather than on achieving predetermined end results prescribed in a statement of specific performance characteristics. (This emphasis applies particularly during the early or conceptual phases of the research effort which includes Joint Capability Technology Demonstrations (JCTDs) and Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrations (ACTDs).)
(2) Telecommunications service requirements submitted via a Telecommunication Service Request or Telecommunications Service Order that will result in the award of a Communication Service Authorization either through the Inquiry/Quote/Order process or placed against an indefinite delivery contract do not require a Streamlined AP if the total value of the acquisition, including options, is at or below the DFARS AP thresholds. However, these acquisitions do require a combined AS/AP or Standard AP if the total value of the acquisition, including options, is at or above the DFARS AP thresholds.
(3) The combined AS/APs will be used for all requirements except the following:
(i) When the acquisition strategy requires Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy approval; (ii) Non-DISA customers;
(iii) Production or Services task or delivery orders;
(iv) Cost Reimbursement or Other High Risk under $50M; and
(v) When an acquisition strategy covers multiple requirements.
(S-92) Required AP approval/signatures/coordination.
All Acquisition Plans, supporting documentation, Form 9s, and Concurrent Coordination email templates are located at https://www.ditco.disa.mil/DitcoContractingTemplates/doku.php?id=acquisition_plan_ap_templ ates. See 7.104 General Procedures, for complete AP procedures.
(1) Concurrent Coordination for all APs
(i) Program Manager Concurrent Coordination via DISA Form 9
a. DISA CIO or DoD CIO (DISA CIO or designee must coordinate whenever Clinger Cohen compliance is required. For MAIS programs, the DOD CIO must coordinate.)
b. CAE/AT2 and CAE/AT4 (May include CAE/AT3 only if they are not involved during Pre- Acquisition Review Board (ARB) and/or ARB phase.)
c. PEO/SDA
(ii) Contracting Officer/Contract Specialist Concurrent Coordination via Email
a. CO and/or DITCO Section/Branch Chief
b. Chief Financial Executive (CFE) (five (5) business days should be factored into the procurement process)
CFE, Budget Review, email address: DISA Scott AFB CFE List CFEB2 Admin Owners and copy Monica Hellmann, at Monica.a.hellmann.civ@mail.mil
c. Local Office of General Counsel (OGC)
i. OGC, DITCO Scott (PL7 and PL8), email address: DISA Scott AFB DITCO Mailbox Legal Office
ii. OGC, DITCO Ft Meade (PL5 and PL6), email address: DISA Ft Meade GC Mailbox
d. PL22 Compliance Review
PL22, Policy Compliance, email address: DISA Ft Meade PLD Mailbox PL22
e. PL23 Cost and Pricing
PL23, Cost and Pricing, email address: DISA Scott AFB DITCO Mailbox Cost and Pricing Branch PL23
f. Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP)
OSBP, DITCO Small Business Specialist, email address: DISA Ft Meade OSBP Mailbox DITCO Small Business Office
g. Procuring Activity Competition Advocate (PACA)/Agency Competition Advocate(ACA)
ACA/PACA, Competition Advocate, email address: DISA Scott AFB DITCO Mailbox Competition Advocate Review (PACA/ACA is required only if there is an exception to competition)
(2) Approval/Signatures for Streamlined APs
(i) Program Manager signs signature page.
(ii) Contracting Officer/Contract Specialist prepares DISA Form 320 and Form 9 as shown in DARS Subpart 1.9003.
(3) Approval/Signatures for Combined AS/APs and Standard APs
(i) Program Manager prepare DISA Form 9.
a. Program Manager signs signature page
b. PEO/SDA SES
c. CAE (for combined AS/AP CAE signs the signature page)
(ii) Contracting Officer/Contract Specialist prepare DISA Form 320 and Form 9 as shown in DARS Subpart 1.9003.
(4) The coordinating offices shall either non-concur, concur or concur with comments. If the coordinating office non-concurs or concurs with comments, the comments shall be inserted in the coordination email or include comments in document using Track Changes.
(5) If all offices concurred or concurred with comments, then the contract specialist/contracting officer shall file the emails in Tab 5 (IT) and Tab A05 (IQO) in EDMS along with the adjudication of critical comments email and incorporate any necessary into the AP and forward the AP and adjudication of critical comments email to the approval authority.
(6) Limitation on single award contracts
Approval authority is the SPE for single award indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) contracts above $103 million. In accordance with FAR 16.504(c)(1)(ii)(D), the Determination and Findings (D&F), along with the AP and congressional notification letter (if required), will be routed to the SPE using the DISA Form 9 as shown in DARS Subpart 1.9003. The HCO shall attach the AP, both DISA Form 9s along with the adjudication of critical comments email, the D&F and congressional notification letters (if required) then forwards the package to the PLD Front Office staff for routing.
(a) The coordination/review/routing process for Streamlined APs and Combined AS/AP and Standard AP are as follows: (NOTE: Program Management Office (PMO), Program Manager (PM), Acquisition Services Center (ASC), and Contracting Officer (CO) will be considered the Requirements Team throughout this section)
(1) Processing All Acquisition Plans
(i) Program Manager/Office Responsibility
(A) Pre-Acquisition Review Board
1. Requirements Team develops the required acquisition plan according to (S-90) in DARS Subpart 7.103.
2. Prepare DISA Form 9 for stakeholders (SES’) concurrent reviews via AIMS in accordance with CAE. Do not include PLD and CAE on the concurrent review.
3. Requirements Team adjudicate comments from the stakeholders and revises the acquisition plan.
(B) Acquisition Review Board (if required)
Requirements Team incorporates comments from the Acquisition Review Board.
(C) Post-Acquisition Review Board
1. Prepare DISA Form 9 and Disposition of Comments Document for internal concurrent reviews.
Coordinates and Route to DISA CIO** or DoD CIO, CAE/AT2, CAE/AT4, and PEO/SDA for review. For MAIS programs, DoD CIO must coordinate. Note: CAE/AT3 only reviews if not involved during the phases above. **DISA CIO or designee must coordinate whenever Clinger Cohen compliance is required.
2. Requirements Team will adjudicate comments from the stakeholders and revise the acquisition plan.
(D) Finalize Acquisition Plan
1. Sign the signature page within the acquisition plan and forward the signed plan to the Contracting Officer.
2. Prepare a DISA Form 9 for coordination and review by the PEO/SDA SES and for CAE signature on a combine acquisition strategy/acquisition plan.
(ii) Contracting Officer Responsibility
(A) Post-Acquisition Review Board
1. Prepare a concurrent coordination via email, reference (S-92)(ii) of this section.
2. Adjudicate comments from all stakeholders and revise the acquisition plan.
(B) Finalize Acquisition Plan
Contracting Officer/Contract Specialist prepare DISA Form 320 and Form 9 as shown in DARS Subpart 1.9003 for approval signature authority shown in (S-90) in DARS Subpart 7.103.
Note: For sole source procurements, the AP and Justification for OTFAOC shall be routed concurrently to the at all approval levels.
(3) After any AP is approved, the contracting officer will provide a copy of the AP to the PMO and retain the original in the contract file. The PMO is responsible for distributing copies of the approved AP to the AP signatories and the organizations/individuals on the “Form 9, Summary Sheet.”
(S-90) AP revisions.
(1) Revised APs are required to contain strikeouts, underlined new language, and revised vertical lines bars to highlight changes (track changes).
(i) Include the original approved AP as an attachment to the modified AP when coordinating. (ii) The title of the AP should read: “Modified AP” and reference the original AP’s number.
(2) Major revisions:
(i) Major revisions require a new signature page/approval, and depending on the magnitude of the revision may result in developing a new AP.
(ii) The PMO shall follow the combined AS/AP or standard AP approval process for major revisions. Examples of major revisions can include:
(A) Funding increase/shortfall (above the AP thresholds under DARS 7.103. In addition include modifications that breach combined AS/AP or standard AP thresholds (which include
engineering change proposals)).
(B) Change of scope (Decision on scope change will be made by the contracting officer.). (C) Change in acquisition or technical strategy.
(D) Change in funding types.
(E) Key milestone slippage (one quarter or more).
(F) Any significant breach and/or variance of an IT investment cost/schedule/performance baseline/agreement established in compliance with Clinger-Cohen Act and the Government Performance Results Act (GPRA).
(3) Minor revisions:
(i) Minor revisions do not require a new signature page/approval; however, the PMO shall provide copies of the revised combined AS/AP or standard AP to the original signatories.
(ii) The PMO shall submit minor revisions as an enclosure to an interoffice memorandum, signed by the PMO, to the contracting officer. Examples of minor revisions include:
(A) Funding increase/shortfall (below the AP thresholds under DARS 7.103) (B) Milestone slippage (less than one quarter)
(C) Change in key points of contact
(D) Recording historical information (e.g., after the award of a planned contract, revise the historical portion of the combined AS/AP or standard AP to document the award date, contractor, dollars obligated to date, etc.).
(S-91) AP files.
(1) The PMO shall maintain a copy of the combined AS/AP or standard AP and any subsequent revisions.
(2) The contracting officer shall ensure the original approved combined AS/AP or standard AP
and all subsequent revisions become part of the official contract file.
(b)(5)(ii) Acquisition considerations. The AP should address the minimum guarantee (dollars to be obligated at contract award for the base period) and the maximum dollar amount to be ordered. (See FAR 16.504(a)(2) and DARS 16.504(S-90)).
(S-90) The AP templates are located at https://www.ditco.disa.mil/DitcoContractingTemplates/doku.php?id=acquisition_plan_ap_templ ates.
(a) If the proposed consolidation exceeds $2M:
(i) Approval Authority is the SPE for all Consolidation D&Fs.
(ii) If an acquisition plan is required for per DARS Subpart 7.103 (S-90), then it shall accompany the D&F.
(iii) Contracting Officer/Contract Specialist prepare DISA Form 9 as shown in DARS Subpart 1.9003 for SPE approval/signature.
(e) The PMO may satisfy this requirement by including a written statement (FAR 7.503) in the AP or providing the statement as an attachment to the specification, (i.e., statement of work (SOW), statement of objectives (SOO) or performance work statement (PWS)). Disagreements regarding the determination shall be resolved by a contracting official one level above the KO before the issuance of the solicitation.