These are the latest hot topics regarding the Federal Supply Schedule program.

• Approval Levels for the Sole Source Orders Under Federal Supply Schedules (FSSs) and Multiple Award Contracts (MACs)
• Millennia GWAC
• Governmentwide Commercial Purchase Card for Schedule Buys
• Open Market Items

Governmentwide Commercial Purchase Card for Schedule Buys

Acceptance of the governmentwide commercial purchase card is a strongly encouraged payment method. Schedule contractors are required to accept the purchase card for payments equal to or less than the micro-purchase threshold. Schedule contractors are also encouraged to accept the card as payment for orders above this threshold.

The dollar value of a purchase card action must no exceed the ordering agency's established limit. Payments using the governmentwide commercial purchase card are not eligible for any negotiated prompt payment discount. 

When using the governmentwide commercial purchase card, ordering agencies should advise Schedule contractors that they are authorized Schedule users and cite the applicable GSA Schedule contract number, in order to ensure that they obtain Schedule contract pricing.

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Open Market Items

The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) has been amended to incorporate policies that address the handling of open market items.

Note: Open market items are also known as incidental items, noncontract items, non-Schedule items, and items not on a Federal Supply Schedule contract.

In accordance with FAR 8.401(d), for administrative convenience, an ordering office contracting officer may add items not on the Federal Supply Schedule (Multiple Award Schedule) contract-i.e., open market items-to a Federal Supply Schedule blanket purchase agreement (BPA) or an individual task or delivery order only if-

1. All applicable acquisition regulations pertaining to the purchase of the items not on the Federal Supply Schedule contract have been followed (e.g., publicizing (Part 5), competition requirements (Part 6), acquisition of commercial items (Part 12), contracting methods (Parts 13, 14, and 15), and small business programs (Part 19));
2. The ordering office contracting officer has determined the price for the items not on the Federal Supply Schedule contract is fair and reasonable;
3. The items are clearly labeled on the order as items not on the Federal Supply Schedule contract; and
4. All clauses applicable to items not on the Federal Supply Schedule contract are included in the order.

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