To protect the Government's interest
and to ensure timely delivery of supplies of the requisite quality,
contracting officers, prior to award, must make an affirmative
determination that the prospective contractor is responsible, i.e.,
capable of performing the contract. Before making such a
determination, the contracting officer must have in his possession
or must obtain information sufficient to satisfy himself that the
prospective contractor: (i) has adequate financial resources; or
the ability to obtain such resources; (ii) is able to comply with
required delivery schedule; (iii) has a satisfactory record of
performance; (iv) has a satisfactory record of integrity; and (v)
is otherwise qualified and eligible to receive an award under
appropriate laws and regulations. If such information is not in the
contracting officer's possession, it is obtained through a preaward
survey conducted by the contract administration office or surveying
activity responsible for the plant and/or the geographic area in
which the plant is located. The necessary data is collected by the
contract administration office or a cognizant surveying activity
from available data or through plant visits, phone calls, and
correspondence and entered on Standard Forms 1403, 1404, 1405,
1406, 1407, and 1408 in detail commensurate with the dollar value
and complexity of the procurement. In accordance with Federal
Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 9.106-1, Conditions for preaward
surveys, preaward surveys are normally required only when the
information on hand or readily available to the contracting
officer, including information from commercial sources is not
sufficient to make a determination regarding responsibility.
Preaward surveys are discouraged for fixed priced contracts at or
below the simplified acquisition threshold, and contracts involving
the acquisition of commercial items, unless circumstances justify
the survey's cost. In addition, if a prospective contractor is
debarred, suspended, or ineligible, surveying activities shall not
proceed with the preaward survey unless specifically requested to
do so by the contracting officer (FAR 9.106-1(c)).
The Federal Procurement Data
System for FY 2012 showed a total of 11,805 contracts awarded
Governmentwide that were over the $150,000 simplified acquisition
threshold, and for which commercial acquisition procedures were not
used. Initially, we estimated that preaward surveys were completed
for 30 percent of the total or 3,540. After reconsideration, it
became obvious that a preaward survey would only be needed if the
firm had not previously been a Government contractor. The revised
estimate is that only 15 percent of awards will potentially require
a preaward survey. The estimate is reduced from 3,540 contracts to
1,771 contracts.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Form SF-1404 Preaward Survey Forms (SFs 1403, 1404, 1405, 1406, 1407, and 1408) FAR Sections Affected 9.106-2 thru -4
9000-0011, Supporting Statement (110713) rev.doc
Preaward Survey Forms (SFs 1403, 1404, 1405, 1406, 1407, and 1408) FAR Sections Affected 9.106-2 thru -4