Contracting with the federal government is a highly regulated process governed by a variety of statutes and regulations. These statutes and regulations direct the process an agency such as CDC must use to solicit a contract and how the agency will negotiate, award and administer a contract. Government contractors must also understand that they are subject to legislative and policy changes in the federal government that may impact the conduct of their contract.
To ensure that vendors receive a fair opportunity to do business with government agencies and that the government and taxpayers receive the best value for their money, federal agencies - including the CDC - competes most purchases. Multiple quotes are required for most purchases over $3,000, and most purchases over $25,000 are advertised for bids on FedBizOpps.gov.Although multiple quotes are not required for most purchases under $3,000, purchasers must determine that the price is reasonable and rotate sources so that no single vendor is used at the exclusion of others.
Under certain circumstances, the CDC will not obtain multiple quotes or advertise for bids. This usually occurs when there is only one vendor who can fulfill the agency's requirements for a particular purchase or when the government has negotiated and awarded a contract such as the HHS (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs).
In addition to ensuring best value and fair opportunities through competition, the federal government recognizes that it has an opportunity to achieve certain social and economic goals as a byproduct of its purchasing. To this end, agencies are required by law to give certain preferences to products and services available from the Federal Prisons Industries, Inc. and JWOD (Javits-Wagner-O’Day) participating nonprofit agencies and to set aside certain business opportunities for small businesses, HUBZone small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, women-owned small businesses, and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. When setting aside procurements for these businesses, the agency must ensure that there are vendors in the selected categories that can meet the government's needs at a reasonable price, and the agency must seek multiple bids or quotes from businesses within the selected category
The information on this site is a very brief overview of federal and CDC procurement regulations and policies. Comprehensive information can be found under the Regulations and Policy page.
