The US Army Corps has developed a strategy for executing the requirements for ARRA work that supports Military and Civil Works, Facilities Sustainment, Restoration & Modernization (FSRM), Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP), and International and Interagency Services (IIS). The Corps plans to utilize a diverse mix/pool of contractors via previously and newly awarded Multiple Award Task Order Contracts (MATOCs), Single Award Task Order Contracts (SATOCs) and individual contracts. Task orders will be negotiated against an IDC or placed against a MATOC contractor through fair opportunity.
It is planned that all contracts and task orders will be competed using full and open competition procedures or fair opportunity. To maximize competition, the Corps will not require previous government experience on some projects.
The Corps will continue to emphasize conducting market research, using sources sought notices, and holding industry days/outreach efforts to promote competition in FY09/FY10. The Contracting Divisions will aggressively pursue the development of sources on each solicitation, through market research, publication of contracting opportunities in FedBizOpps, soliciting competition, and participating in source development events. These efforts will promote supporting competitive environments across the Corps for submission of bids and proposals.
Use of fixed priced contracts is the preferred contract type for all Corps ARRA-funded contracts. Specifications and designs are developed to remove uncertainties from the requirement to facilitate the use of fixed price contracts. Next market research is performed and the contract type is further refined based on input from industry regarding uncertainties in the requirements. After completion of market research and refinement of the requirement an acquisition strategy will be developed and will include the contract type which is fully expected to be fixed price. The Corps' historical data shows that projects awarded in prior fiscal years, similar to ARRA-funded requirements, have resulted in fixed price contracts awarded approximately 90% of the time. Other than fixed price contracts will be awarded only when the contracting officer determination that other than fixed price contract types are in the best interest of the government.
