MP5306.502 -
Air Force Competition and Commercial Advocacy Program
(INTERIM CHANGE: See Policy Memo 14-C-05)
This Mandatory Procedure (MP) implements AFPD 63-3, Competition and Commercial Advocacy. AFPD 63-3 implements Title 41, United States Code 418. This MP provides guidance and procedures for personnel implementing the Air Force Competition and Commercial Advocacy Program.
1. Objectives. The objective of the Air Force Competition and Commercial Advocacy Program is to promote and support full and open competition and commercial practices to the maximum extent possible. The procedures below define how the Air Force will manage the Air Force Competition and Commercial Advocacy Program and the associated reporting requirements. In addition to the requirements at FAR 6.501, the MAJCOM/DRU/HQ AFICA/AFICA (OL-supported MAJCOM)/AFISRA/SMC and any subordinate Competition and Commercial Advocate(s) must: (INTERIM CHANGE: See Policy Memo 14-C-05)
1.1. Have extensive qualifications and knowledge of the types of acquisitions of the activity.
1.2. Be in a contracting position, commensurate in grade or rank with the senior level program, product, or laboratory personnel with whom the Advocate interacts.
1.3. Have direct access to the MAJCOM/DRU/HQ AFICA/AFISRA/SMC commander on matters relating to competition, the acquisition of commercial items and services, and must not have duties or responsibilities inconsistent with Competition and Commercial Advocate duties and responsibilities. (INTERIM CHANGE: See Policy Memo 14-C-05)
2. Roles and Responsibilities. In addition to the roles and responsibilities identified at FAR 6.502, Air Force Competition and Commercial Advocates must perform the roles and responsibilities identified below.
2.1. Support the Air Force Competition Advocate General in formulating, managing, and providing oversight of the Air Force Competition and Commercial Advocacy Program. As required, participate in Air Force Competition and Commercial Advocate meetings in support of the quarterly DoD Competition Advocate meetings.
2.2. Promote commercial practices and competition in acquisition programs managed by their MAJCOM/DRU/HQ AFICA/AFISRA/SMC. Identify, track, and follow-up on actions to remove impediments to commercial practices and competition. Seek to improve the overall competitive performance, including effective competition*, and increase the use of commercial practices by overcoming barriers such as defining requirements, policies, procedures, and decisions that restrict competition and limit their applicability. SAF/AQC developed a web based tool for development of the MAJCOM/DRU/HQ AFICA/AFISRA/SMC contracting competition report and to monitor quarterly competition performance. (INTERIM CHANGE: See Policy Memo 14-C-05)
* See definition provided in OUSD/AT&L DPAP Memo, dated 17 Dec 2010.
2.3. Ensure the organization’s policies and procedures encourage full and open competition whenever possible, including effective competition, and promote the use of commercial procedures. Review acquisition planning documents, and ensure market research demonstrates that competitive and commercial opportunities were considered.
2.4. Participate in acquisition strategy planning through forums such as the Acquisition Strategy Panel process.
2.5. The Competition Advocate General will establish MAJCOM/DRU/HQ AFICA/AFISRA/SMC competition and effective competition goals using the OUSD (AT&L) DPAP assigned goal for the Air Force as a baseline. The MAJCOM/DRU/HQ AFICA/AFICA (OL-supported MAJCOM)/AFISRA/SMC Competition and Commercial advocate may assign subordinate competition and effective competition goals as necessary to ensure achievement of assigned goal. (INTERIM CHANGE: See Policy Memo 14-C-05)
2.6. Track and report on progress in achieving the MAJCOM/DRU/HQ AFICA/AFISRA/SMC competition and effective competition goals. (INTERIM CHANGE: See Policy Memo 14-C-05)
2.7. Track and report the use of fair opportunity and the achievement of effective competition on task and delivery orders written against multiple award contracts for the MAJCOM/DRU/HQ AFICA/AFISRA/SMC (INTERIM CHANGE: See Policy Memo 14-C-05).
2.8. Stress the need for contracting professionals to complete the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) Continuous Learning Module (CLM) CLC 055, Competition Requirements.
2.9. Convey to program managers, contracting personnel, and senior leaders the advantages of full and open and effective competition and communicate success stories. Assist contracting officers in doing the same. To assist the Competition Advocate in training acquisition customers, the Competition and Commercial Advocate, OUSD(AT&L) DPAP developed a competition training template that can be tailored to the needs of the individuals being trained.
2.10. Identify potential for full and open competition and effective competition and commercial opportunities through the Justification and Approval (J&A) and acquisition planning document review process. Review and approve J&As and fair opportunity justifications in accordance with 5308.405-6(d).
2.11. Work with government and industry to investigate and eliminate barriers to competition and the acquisition of commercial items.
2.12. The MAJCOM/DRU/HQ AFICA/AFICA (OL-supported MAJCOM)/AFISRA/SMC Competition and Commercial Advocate must ensure operational contracting Squadrons/Flights have access to an Installation/Center/Wing Competition and Commercial Advocate. (INTERIM CHANGE: See Policy Memo 14-C-05)
2.13. Establish a competition and commercial advocacy program for activities within the MAJCOM/DRU/HQ AFICA/AFISRA/SMC. The activities’ Competition and Commercial Program must meet the oversight and management and reporting requirements identified throughout this MP. (INTERIM CHANGE: See Policy Memo 14-C-05)
2.14. Ensure that requirements are stated in the least restrictive manner to allow for effective competition and the use of commercial practices.
2.15. Review and provide appropriate comments on determinations made in accordance with FAR 9.202(b) that it would be unreasonable to specify the standards for qualification that a potential offeror (or its product) must satisfy in order to meet established qualification requirements.
2.16. Prepare and submit an annual competition and commercial report in accordance with FAR 6.502(b)(2) and Paragraph 5 of this MP.
3. Appointment of the Competition and Commercial Advocate.
3.1. MAJCOM/DRU/HQ AFICA/AFICA (OL-supported MAJCOM)/AFISRA/SMC Competition and Commercial Advocate Appointments. (INTERIM CHANGE: See Policy Memo 14-C-05)
3.1.1. MAJCOM/DRU/HQ AFICA/AFISRA/SMC Commanders must nominate a Competition and Commercial Advocate and alternate to the Competition Advocate General. The AFICA (OL-supported MAJCOM) SCO (Director of Contracting or civilian deputy) must be the individual nominated to be the primary Competition and Commercial Advocate for the MAJCOM they support (see paragraph 1.2). Submit the nomination package to the SAF/AQCP Competition POC and include, at a minimum, the following information: (INTERIM CHANGE: See Policy Memo 14-C-05)
3.1.1.1. Procuring Activity
3.1.1.2. Office symbol
3.1.1.3. Primary and/or alternate nomination
3.1.1.4. E-mail address of the nominated Competition and Commercial Advocate and/or alternate
3.1.1.5. Name of the nominated Competition and Commercial Advocate or alternate
3.1.1.6. Telephone number of the nominated Competition and Commercial Advocate or alternate
3.1.1.7. A candidate resume
3.1.1.8. POC and telephone number for questions
3.1.2. The Competition Advocate General will appoint primary MAJCOM/DRU/HQ AFICA/AFICA (OL-supported MAJCOM)/AFISRA/SMC Competition and Commercial Advocates and alternates via certificate. (INTERIM CHANGE: See Policy Memo 14-C-05)
3.1.3. Once appointed, the Competition and Commercial Advocate (or alternate) must update the Competition and Commercial Advocates list with the required information.
3.2. Installation/Center/Wing* Competition and Commercial Advocate Appointments.
* Wing is applicable to AFRC, ACC and AFISRA only. (INTERIM CHANGE: See Policy Memo 14-C-05)
3.2.1. The Installation/Center/Wing Commander must nominate the Installation/Center/Wing Competition and Commercial Advocate or alternate (see paragraph 1.2) using the nomination package referenced in paragraph 3.1.1, and forward the package to the MAJCOM/DRU/HQ AFICA/AFICA (OL-supported MAJCOM)/AFISRA Competition and Commercial Advocate. (INTERIM CHANGE: See Policy Memo 14-C-05)
3.2.2. The MAJCOM/DRU/HQ AFICA/AFICA (OL-supported MAJCOM)/AFISRA Competition and Commercial Advocate must appoint the Installation/Center/Wing Competition and Commercial Advocate or alternate via appointment memo. The MAJCOM/DRU/HQ AFICA/AFISRA Competition and Commercial Advocate must return the signed appointment memo to the Installation/Center/Wing Commander for presentation to the Competition and Commercial Advocate. (INTERIM CHANGE: See Policy Memo 14-C-05)
3.2.3. The names and telephone numbers of the Installation/Center/Wing Competition and Commercial Advocate, the MAJCOM/DRU/HQ AFICA/AFICA (OL-supported MAJCOM)/AFISRA/SMC Competition and Commercial Advocate, and the Air Force Competition Advocate General must be displayed on a poster template in a prominent location in each unit. (INTERIM CHANGE: See Policy Memo 14-C-05)
3.2.4. Once appointed, the Installation/Center/Wing Competition and Commercial Advocate (or alternate) must update the Competition Advocate list with the required information
4. Annual Competition and Commercial Reporting Requirements.
4.1. In accordance with paragraph 4.1.2.1, MAJCOM/DRU/HQ AFICA/AFICA (OL-supported MAJCOM)/AFISRA/SMC Competition and Commercial Advocates must prepare and submit a consolidated annual competition and commercial report to the Competition Advocate General by 15 December of each calendar year, unless directed otherwise. (INTERIM CHANGE: See Policy Memo 14-C-05)
4.1.1. The data included in the consolidated MAJCOM/DRU/HQ AFICA/AFISRA/SMC competition and commercial report must be obtained from the Standard Competition reports, and any necessary ad hoc reports from the Federal Procurement Data System-Next Generation (FPDS-NG) database. The data is not to be modified for reporting purposes, unless the adjustment is annotated and justified. (INTERIM CHANGE: See Policy Memo 14-C-05)
4.1.2. In addition to the competition reporting requirements identified at FAR 6.502(b) , the consolidated MAJCOM/DRU/HQ AFICA/AFISRA/SMC competition and commercial report must include the additional reporting requirements outlined below. (INTERIM CHANGE: See Policy Memo 14-C-05)
4.1.2.1. Submit the consolidated annual competition and commercial report to the Competition Advocate General using the Air Force Competition and Commercial Trend Analysis Tool. The tool includes instructions for collecting data from FPDS-NG, the source for all Air Force Competition and Commercial Program reporting requirements. The reporting requirements include competition, effective competition, task and delivery orders greater than one million dollars, fair opportunity, commercial acquisitions, and other reporting requirements as indicated in the tool.
4.1.2.2. MAJCOM/DRU/HQ AFICA/AFISRA/SMC proposed competition and effective competition goals and plans for achievement must also be included in the annual report. (INTERIM CHANGE: See Policy Memo 14-C-05)