Fair Opportunity When Using SEWP Contracts

The SEWP website provides tools for manufacturer searches and for Request for Information/Request for Quotes (RFI/RFQ). These tools are available to assist customers with buying decisions and as one means to provide documentation for any needed selection criteria. The following steps may assist customers in determining which contract best fulfills their requirements:

1. Market Research: According to Federal Acquisition Regulations, (FAR) Part 10, appropriate market research based on the size and complexity of the acquisition is required. The Online Manufacturer Lookup and RFI/RFQ SEWP tools assist in this market research process.

2. Fair Opportunity: FAR 16.505(b) (1) provides that each contractor shall be given fair opportunity to be considered for each order exceeding $3,000 and issued under multiple award contracts. The FAR states that the method to obtain fair opportunity is at the discretion of the CO and that the CO must document the rationale for placement and price of each order. The SEWP online RFI/RFQ tool is the recommended method to assist in this activity and to augment the required decision documentation. The SEWP RFI/RFQ tool will automatically include the Contract Holders within a selected Group or based on a suggested source.

NOTE: Fair Opportunity to all Contract Holders within one or more SEWP Groups is required. There is no requirement to obtain 3 quotes as long as all Contract Holders within a Group were provided opportunity to provide a quote.

3. Best Value: Once market research is completed, the end-user's needs, technical requirements, Contract Holder program performance, price, Agency policy and other factors related to the exercise of sound business judgment should be considered in making a best value determination.