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Contracting Opportunities

Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps)

Federal Business Opportunities is a valuable listing of government procurement invitations, contract awards, subcontracting leads, sales of surplus property and foreign business opportunities. FedBizOpps is available at: http://www.fbo.gov.

Central Contractor Registration (CCR)

Contractors must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) Database prior to any award with a federal agency. Lack of registration in the CCR database will make an offeror ineligible for award. To register, the business must have a DUNS number issued through Dun & Bradstreet located at www.dnb.com. The CCR web site may be accessed at http://www.ccr.gov.

Micro Purchase Acquisitions

Purchases at or below the micro purchase threshold (supply-$3,000, service-$2,500, and construction-$2,000) are normally paid using the Government Purchase Card (VISA). Competition is not required for these acquisitions; however, the price must be fair and reasonable. Mandatory source requirements apply in some instances.

Simplified Acquisitions

Procurements above the micro purchase threshold to $100,000 (including professional/non-Architect-Engineer requirements) are competed by requesting quotes from several vendors. The preferred method of payment is the Government Purchase Card (VISA). Procurements between $25,000 and $100,000 are advertised in FedBizOps. Mandatory source requirements apply in some instances.

Formal Solicitation Acquisitions

Acquisitions estimated above $100,000 will be advertised on FedBizOpps. Hardcopies of solicitations are not available through our office. However, you may contact local blueprint or printing companies that can download the solicitation from FedBizOpps and print a set for a fee.

Construction Projects

In the past few years, Arkansas NRCS has contracted for bank stabilization, earthen dam construction, wetlands reclamation, water supply, irrigation, reservoirs, and other types of conservation projects. Magnitude of work normally ranges from $25,000 to $1,000,000. The number of projects depends upon Congressional funding, but averages three projects per year over the past six years.

Supplies and Services

Service contracts range from janitorial services for some of our county offices, to aerial mapping and drilling and sampling services throughout the state. Supply purchases include various types of technical and office equipment.

Subcontracting

Large business contractors and subcontractors receiving contracts valued over $500,000 ($1,000,000 for construction) are required to develop subcontracting plans and goals designed to maximize the participation of small and small disadvantaged business concerns as subcontractors. Vendors can contact awarded contractors for possible subcontracting possibilities. Contract awards are announced on FedBizOpps.

Small Business Program Overview

Small business concerns are a very vital part of our acquisition process. NRCS fully supports the national policy of providing small and small disadvantaged businesses the opportunity to provide supplies, design, construction, and support services as prime and subcontractors in contracts awarded.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

The Small Business Administration assists the government by providing additional sources developed through many programs and contacts with small and small disadvantaged concerns. The SBA, as part of their active outreach effort, has developed the Procurement Marketing and Access Network (Pro-Net) System. Pro-Net is an electronic gateway of procurement information for and about small business concerns. See SBA's home page for other program information (i.e. SDB Certification, Small Business Size Standard, HUBZone), and points of contact.

Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA)

An offeror may choose to submit annual representations and certifications electronically via the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) located at http://orca.bpn.gov. Each solicitation will state if ORCA is an acceptable means of providing Representations and Certifications. An offeror must verify with the offer that the representations and certifications currently posted electronically have been entered or updated within the last 12 months.

Sources of Standard Forms

Forms can be obtained electronically from the General Services Administration (GSA) at http://www.gsa.gov/forms/.

Additional Information

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