GSA contracting officers must receive approval in accordance with the procedures provided within the GSA PIRC CSO Guide to utilize the CSO procedure under this part to enter into contracts to fulfill requirements, capability gaps, or procure potential technological advancements. Only those acquisitions approved by an Agency Acquisition Innovation Advocate may be conducted under the CSO procedure.

(a)The CSO procedure shall only be used when procuring commercially available innovative technologies or solutions, including products, and services.

(b)Any contract using this authority must not exceed $25,000,000, inclusive of all options.

(c)No contracting officer or employee of the government may create or authorize an obligation in excess of the funds available, or in advance of appropriations 31 U.S.C. 1341, unless otherwise authorized by law.

(d)GSA employees must be appointed as a contracting officer, consistent with GSAM 501.603, and must have a Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) Professional and Senior Level IV Unlimited Warrant to award a contract using the CSO procedure in accordance with this part.