Strategic Sourcing Initiatives at DHS
Jose Arrietta, Procurement Ombudsman at DHS discussed the agency’s procurement strategy and the agencies prioritization of Strategic Sourcing at the Department at GTSC’s recent annual meeting.
As a follow-up, Mr. Arrietta provided the following exceptions to Strategic Sourcing:
a. Emergency operations – Specify the emergency operation, including the name, date, location, and description. Document how using a strategic sourcing contract vehicle would negatively impact the mission.
b. National security – Include a written description of how using a strategic sourcing contract vehicle compromises national security.
c. Remote locations – Specify the remote delivery location and include written analysis that quantifies the higher cost or delay that would result from using a strategic sourcing vendor.
d. Greater savings – Purchases where the savings from using a non-strategic sourcing vehicle exceeds the savings from the strategic sourcing vehicle – Include a written analysis that shows the savings comparison. Documentation shall be signed by the official approving the exception (include name and title of official).
e. Required by statute – Specify the statute that requires the use of a non-strategic sourcing vehicle.
f. Priorities for Use of Government Supply Sources – Specify the supply source indicated as a higher priority in FAR Part 8.002 and the contract vehicle to be used. These sources may include Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled and mandatory Federal Supply Schedules. These sources may not include optional use Federal Supply Schedules because strategic sourcing contract vehicles have higher priority than optional use Federal Supply Schedules.
Strategic Sourcing Initiatives at DHS
