What is SAP? – Simplified Acquisition Procedures

SAP, also known as Simplified Acquisition Procedures or ‘small purchases’, is the method shown in Part 13 of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) for the purchase of materials and equipment. ‘Simplified’ because the procedures reduce administrative burden of procurements below a certain dollar amount.  The procurements typically include construction, research and development and industrial products.

SAP are designed for government requirements and are relatively simple. In this, the awarding procurements are below certain dollar thresholds called Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT). Examples of frequently purchased items using SAP include small construction jobs, office supplies, computer software, landscaping, janitorial, industrial products, and research and development services.

SAP provide strategies to streamline the contracting process, which increases turnaround time and administrative burden. As of 2020, the SAT increased to:

• Section 806 increases the Micro-Purchase Threshold (MPT) in 41 U.S.C. 1902(a) to $10,000. 

• Section 805 increases the SAT to $250,000.

Source: federalregister.gov

Encouraging Competition

SAP does not exclude competition ,but encourages:

• Simplified evaluation and award procedures.
• Informal quotation and competition processes.
• Oral quotes.
• Vice written quotations are accepted.
• Comparison of quoted rates.
• Vice bargaining.
• Standardized clauses to endorse the award report.

FAR Rules for Simplified Acquisition Procedures:

• Solicitations are publicized in Federal Acquisition Computer Network (FACNET) or Government-Wide Point of Entry (GPE).  Sources are solicited in the local trade area.
• Quotations should not depend on personal preference.
• Solicitations are not limited to suppliers of well-known and widely distributed makes or brands.
• The contracting officer evaluates a solicitation that has at least three sources.

The Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act

The Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act (FASA) and the Federal Acquisition Reform Act (FARA), now called the so-called ‘simplified acquisitions’ and the $100k SAT.

The Changes are:

• Create a sub-category referred to a micro-purchase (purchases under $2.5k),
• Create a small business reservation which requires the contracting officer to restrict solicitations exclusively to small businesses on actions between $2,500 and $100k,
• Allow for options and ‘best value’ criteria in source selection.

Advantages

• Reduces administrative costs. 
• Improves opportunities for small and disadvantaged businesses to obtain a fair proportion of government contracts. 
• Promotes efficiency and economy in contracting. 
• Avoids unnecessary burdens for agencies and contractors.
• Allows shorter solicitations and faster turnaround times. 
• Saves money for government and contractors with less paperwork and personnel needed for the process. 
• Acquisitions exceeding Micro-Purchase Threshold, but not over the SAT, are set aside for small businesses.

Check Out Our Free Synopsis of Simplified Acquisitions Available on Beta.Sam.Gov.  Updated Daily.