Procurement Services

What CBO Buys

CBO typically purchases the following items and services:

• IT hardware and software, including:
  • Network equipment and software
  • Desktop and laptop computers
  • Commercial software (office suites, graphics suites, utilities, etc.)
  • Annual maintenance agreements
• Data services
• Subscriptions to online collections and print publications
• IT consulting services
• Training

If your company sells these types of items, you may submit information (such as a line card) by e-mail to ProcurementServices@cbo.gov.
 

How CBO Buys

CBO purchases most items by either issuing competitive requests for quotations or ordering from GSA schedules. The majority of CBO's acquisitions are conducted using simplified procedures. Most competitive acquisitions estimated to cost $100,000 or higher are advertised through FedBizOpps. See "Doing Business With CBO."
 

Applicability of Laws and Statutes

CBO is a legislative branch agency and not subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). CBO is subject to some of the same procurement and procurement-related legislation applicable to the executive branch, such as the Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act, Buy American Act, and Anti-Deficiency Act, but not to others, such as the Contract Disputes Act, Prompt Payment Act, and Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act.

Although not subject to the FAR, CBO used best business practices of the FAR to develop many of its acquisition processes. Therefore, CBO's procurements are similar in appearance and procedure to other government contracts. For example, the Uniform Contract Format may be used for supplies and services, and, as mentioned, most procurements estimated to exceed $100,000 are advertised at FedBizOpps.