Frequently Asked Questions
WHO
CAN BUY? | ORDER
FORMS | ORDER LIMITATIONS | OPEN
MARKET ITEMS | COMPETITION | LABOR
RATES | SPECIAL LABOR RATES | SECURITY
ISSUES | EXTRA COSTS | TERMS
AND CONDITIONS | BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENTS
Question:
It has been said that the GSA Schedule program is the preferred source
for ordering agencies needing to procure Technology Professional
Services. Is this statement true and why?
Answer: This statement is true for a number
of reasons. First, Director for Defense Procurement
in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology,
in a letter dated March 6, 1997, urged all of the Department of Defense
"to take full advantage of GSA Schedule contracts if you need supplies
or services that are covered under them. Use of these contracts meets
DOD goals to simplify the acquisition process while at the same time increasing
the contracting officer's authority and ability to make sound business
judgments."
Other reasons include:
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Work can begin in very short periods of time - weeks, or even days after the delivery order is placed.
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Order size limits via the GSA Schedules program have been eliminated.
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Various types of Technology Professional Services can now be procured via GSA Schedules.
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GSA Schedule awards are rarely protested.
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The flexibility of the GSA Schedule program assures that the ordering agency can easily procure the latest technology and highest levels of skill under a Delivery Order.
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Teledyne Brown, as a GSA Schedule vendor, has been accepted as a proven and reliable supplier.
Question:
Who can buy Technology Professional Services from Teledyne
Brown under the GSA Schedules Program?
Answer:
All federal agencies and activities in the executive, legislative, and
judicial branches; government contractors authorized in writing by a federal
agency pursuant to 48 CFR 51.1; mixed ownership government corporations
(as defined in the Government Corporation Contract Act); the government
of the District of Columbia; and other activities and organizations authorized
by statute or regulation to use GSA as a source of supply.
Question:
Is a special form used for ordering Technology Professional
Services under a Teledyne Brown GSA Schedule contract?
Answer:
No. Our GSA Schedule contracts are ordinary indefinite-delivery-indefinite-quantity
(IDIQ) contract. The procurement officer of the ordering agency places
a Delivery Order with Teledyne Brown using the same form as its own IDIQ
contracts, for example, Optional Form 347, or DD 1155, or another form
that it normally uses. The end-user requisitions the services from
the procurement officer using the same forms as used for any other IDIQ
Delivery Order.
Question:
Are there any order limitations, and what is the upper limit for a Delivery
Order on Teledyne Brown's GSA contracts?
Answer:
There are no order limitations. There is no upper limit for an order.
The ordering agency may wish to discuss special terms and conditions with
us for Delivery Orders exceeding $500,000.
Time Limits
Question:
Are there time limits to the tasks under a Teledyne Brown GSA Schedule
contract?
Answer: The base period of our GSA IT Schedule
contract expires on February 18, 2003.
Question:
If a task requires other direct costs (ODCs) such as travel, small equipment,
incidental hardware or software, etc., can the ODCs be purchased under
the same Delivery Order?
Answer:
Yes. Labor is ordered from a Teledyne Brown GSA Schedule contract
by identifying our contract number and labor category. The
ODC items are listed and priced separately on the same Delivery Order.
Question:
What competition is required prior to awarding Teledyne Brown a GSA
Schedule Delivery Order?
Answer:
The ordering agency, in making its best-value determination, may consider
prices contained in any GSA automated information system, or check at least two other price lists
for comparison purposes. In determining the best value, the agency may
consider special features offered by Teledyne Brown, such as pertinent
knowledge and/or experience, special skills and techniques, applicable
record of performance in a particular area, access to special Teledyne
Brown Engineering capabilities, or special requirements that make us the
best-suited vendor to satisfy those requirements.
Question:
Are the labor rates in Teledyne Brown's GSA Schedule contracts approved?
Answer:
Yes. The award of a GSA Schedule contract to Teledyne Brown establishes
that our labor rates are fair and reasonable.
Question:
Are there special labor rates available for work performed on government
sites?
Answer:
Yes. We give a discount from our regular GSA Schedule labor rates for
work that we perform on government sites when our personnel are engaged
full-time for a minimum time period and the government furnishes all facilities
and support equipment.
Question:
Can security requirements be satisfied under a Teledyne Brown GSA
Schedule contract?
Answer:
Yes. The ordering agency can state any necessary security clause in the
Delivery Order. The administration of security matters is performed by
the ordering agency, not GSA.
Question:
Is the ordering agency ever obligated to pay GSA for the use of a Teledyne
Brown GSA Schedule contract?
Answer:
Never. Our GSA Schedule rates represent the entire labor cost to the
ordering agency.
Question:
The government is required by law to only contract pursuant to an extensive
list of terms and conditions. Are the requirements satisfied when the
ordering agency uses a GSA Schedule contract?
Answer:
Yes. Our GSA Schedule contracts includes all terms and conditions required
by law for the purchase of Information Technology Professional Services.
Question:
Are Blanket Purchase Agreements available under a Teledyne Brown GSA
Schedule contract?
Answer:
Yes. If an ordering agency has extensive requirements for our
Technology Professional Services, then it may be appropriate to execute
a Blanket Purchase Agreement to save time and minimize the overall amount
of paperwork required.