GOVERNMENT PURCHASING

1. What do contracting officials use to guide their government purchasing procedures? Contracting officials use the procedures outlined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (the FAR) to guide their purchases. 2. What are five contracting methods that the government uses to purchase goods and services? contracting methods that the government uses are micro-purchases with credit cards, simplified acquisition procedures, sealed bidding, contracting by negotiation, and consolidated purchasing vehicles. 3. What types of purchases are considered micro-purchases? Individual items under $3,000 are usually considered micro-purchases. 4. For all federal purchases above $3,000 and under $350,000, what type of business is normally chosen as a supplier? Small businesses are normally chosen as suppliers for federal purchases above $3,000 and under $350,000. 5. When does the government use sealed bids? The government uses sealed bids when it buys competitively and has specific needs. 6. What are the criteria used to select a supplier through sealed bidding? The winning bidder in sealed bidding is the lowest bidder who can meet the government’s needs. 7. In what situations might the government issue a Request for Proposal (RFP)? The government might issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) when the purchase will total