Subpart 519.8 - Contracting With the Small Business Administration (The 8(a)Program)

519.803 Selecting acquisitions for the 8(a) program.

519.803-70 Contracting officer evaluation of recommendations for 8(a) set-aside(s).

      (a)  If the contracting officer disagrees with a recommendation by the AAOSBU or the SBTA to set aside a procurement for award under the 8(a) program, discuss the matter with the official who made the recommendation.

      (b) If the contracting officer decides not to award the contract under the 8(a)program, forward a copy of the documentation required by FAR 19.202-1(e)(4) to the SBTA within 10 working days.

      (c)  Once a contracting activity acquires a product or service successfully on the basis of an 8(a) set-aside, the activity must acquire all future requirements for that product or service using 8(a) set-aside procedures.

           (1)  However, the availability of Federal Prison Industries, Inc. and Nonprofit Agencies Employing People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled (AbilityOne), and other mandatory sources, which may not have existed at the time of the original requirement are sufficient reason to discontinue setting aside a continuing requirement.

           (2) If the contracting officer determines that acquiring the product or service as an 8(a)set-aside is no longer in the Government’s best interest, use the procedures in FAR 19.506 to withdraw a repetitive set-aside.

519.803-71 Withdrawing or modifying 8(a) set-asides.

If the contracting officer and the SBTA disagree over the withdrawal or modification of a set-aside, the SBTA must notify the AAOSBU at the same time the matter is referred to the SBA PCR.

519.870 Direct 8(a)contracting.

519.870-1 Authority and applicability.

      (a) In accordance with FAR 19.800(f), GSA obtained a delegation from SBA permitting direct 8(a) contracting as documented through GSA’s Partnership Agreement. The current Partnership Agreement is located on the GSA internal website at https://insite.gsa.gov/portal/category/529822. The Partnership Agreement includes the current terms and conditions.

      (b)  This authority applies to all 8(a)acquisitions conducted byGSA. It does not apply to the multiple award schedule program.

519.870-8 Contract clauses.

      (a)  Insert the following clauses in solicitations, contracts, and orders issued under the MOU:

           (1)  Insert the clause at 552.219-74, Section 8(a) Direct Award.

           (2) Insert the clause at FAR 52.219-14, Limitation on Subcontracting.

           (3) Insert the clause at FAR 52.219-18, Notification of Competition Limited to Eligible 8(a) Concerns. Substitute the paragraph below for paragraph (c) of the clause. Add the word “Deviation” at the end of the clause title.

           (4)  “(c) Any award resulting from this solicitation will be made directly by the Contracting Officer to the successful 8(a)offeror selected through the evaluation criteria set forth in this solicitation.”

      (b) Do not use the clauses at FAR 52.219-11, Special 8(a) Contract Conditions, FAR52.219-12, Special 8(a) Subcontract Conditions, or FAR 52.219-17, Section 8(a) Award.