The majority of ordering offices place Task Orders directly with the best value MOBIS contractor and are responsible for administration of the task order. The contractor submits invoices directly to the ordering office. Contractor payments are issued to the contractor in accordance with the Prompt Payment Act. Agencies can also elect to utilize fee for service contracting support offered by GSA's Office of Professional Services currently a division of Federal Technology Service (FTS). FTS can accept funding documents and competitively procure professional services from MOBIS contractors. Services might include preparing a Performance Based Statement of Work, conducting market research, developing/distributing a Request for Quotes (RFQ), evaluating quotes received and issuing/administering the MOBIS task order. For additional information, please contact the Management Services Center at mobis@gsa.gov or (800) 241-7246 (RAIN).

Civilian Agencies distribute a Request for Quote (RFQ) to a minimum of three (3) MOBIS contractors. An RFQ typically includes instructions; evaluation criteria and a performance based Statement of Work (SOW). The SOW communicates what work will be performed, period and place of performance, deliverable schedules, applicable standards, special requirements (security clearances, travel), etc. After the RFQ closes, the ordering office evaluates the quotes received, makes a best value decision and issues a task order. GSA offers a comprehensive training course, titled, "Using GSA Schedules" which covers schedule ordering procedures, developing Statements of Work, Contractor Teaming Arrangements, Blanket Purchase Agreements and other Schedule related topics. For additional information, go to The FSS Center for Acquisition Excellence at www.fsstraining.gsa.gov. Military agencies distribute RFQs per Section 803.

The Department of Defense (DoD) has implemented new rules for ordering services over $100,000 under multiple award contracts. The rules are derived from Section 803 of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2002. Section 803 requires the CO to contact as many schedule holders as practicable in order to ensure that at least three responses are received. The rule further states that the CO is in compliance with 803 when they contact all schedule holders that offer the required work, thereby informing them of the opportunity for award. If three responses are not received, the CO must determine that no additional qualified contractors could be identified despite reasonable efforts to do so. Good market research is the key to ensuring all practicable offerors have been extended a fair opportunity to participate in the acquisition. However, Section 803 does recognize the following exceptions to fair opportunity: 1.) Unusual urgency 2.) Only one source can respond due to unique or specialized nature of the work 3.) New work is logical follow-on under the same contract 4.) Must be placed to satisfy a minimum guarantee.

For Performance Based Contracting regulations, samples, tutorials and guidance go to www.gsa.gov/acquisitionpolicy, click on the hyperlink for Acquisition Major Initiativies and then on the link for Performance Based Service Contracting (PBC).

Go to www.gsaelibrary.gsa.gov and do a search on MOBIS. Click on 874, read through the Special Item Number (SIN) descriptions and click on the SIN that captures the scope of your requirement. For example, if you were looking for a contractor to design and implement a telephone survey, then you would click on 874 3. The next screen offers a list of MOBIS contractors awarded under 874 3. This list can be sorted by business type and contractor location. If a particular contractor catches your eye, you should be able to link directly to the contractor's MOBIS price list in GSA Advantage! by clicking on the GSA Advantage! icon. On the next page click on "view contractor catalog". You may also access eBuy (our new tool for posting Schedule RFQs, RFIs and Sources Sought notices) at www.gsa.gov/ebuy. You'll need to log in,using your GSA Advantage! password...if you don't already have one, it's easy to get one...you can hyperlink to the form from the e-Buy homepage. After logging in, click on "prepare and RFQ" and then do a search on 874. After the next page comes up, click on the appropriate MOBIS SIN and you'll find a list of MOBIS contractors. To the far right are "text files". If you double click on any of them, you should be able to view pricing and other information about the contractor.

Go to GSA Advantage and conduct a search using key words that describe your requirement. Try the following steps to refine your search results: 1.) Type in key word(s) in the box under "What are you looking for?" 2.) Click on "Find It" 3.) On the next page, refine your search by searching within results with a keyword, then click on "Find It". We recommend that you continue to search within results until you get to a more manageable list of MOBIS contractors. You can also prepare a Sources Sought or Request for Information (RFI) notice to solicit responses from MOBIS contractors. You can post such a notice on the FedBizOpps website or on e-Buy. The RFI option is especially useful when you require industry comment on a draft Statement of Work.

You can request past performance information in your RFQ (Request For Quotes). Alternatively, this information can be obtained by distributing a Sources Sought or an RFI (Request for Information) to MOBIS Schedule contractors. In addition, federal agencies (CO's and source selection officials) can access past performance data at http://www.ppirs.gov/ after submitting a membership request that is approved by group owners/managers of the PPIRS data. Keep in mind, however, that this past performance information will not specifically relate to a contractor's performance under the MOBIS contract.

Federal agencies can use eBuy to prepare and distribute MOBIS RFQs. Once an RFQ closes, the agency will be able to review quotes submitted by schedule contractors. The actual award of a task order must be completed outside of e-buy unless the total dollar value of the task order is less than $2.5K. e-buy is web-based and accessible at: http://www.ebuy.gsa.gov/. An excellent tutorial is available on the e-Buy homepage.

Yes, the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act (FASA) of 1994 established the Federal Acquisition Computer Network (FACNET) which realigned the Federal acquisition process from one driven by paperwork into an expedited process based on electronic commerce/electronic data interchange (EC/EDI). GSA eBuy is an online Request for Quotes (RFQ) tool, which enables Federal buyers and Schedule Contracors to exchange RFQs and quotes electronically. You can also use eBuy to conduct market research by posting Sources Sought or Requests for Information. (Note: Schedule contractors not included in the original RFQ selection may also submit proposals in response to a posted RFQ.)

Yes, if these projects are Misson Oriented Business Integrated Initiatives. Please note that Schedule 70, General Purpose Commercial Information Technology Equipment, Software and Services may also meet your needs.

MOBIS is designed to provide agencies with expert advice in all areas of management and management improvement. When tasking under MOBIS, agencies shall not use this vehicle for the acquisition of supplies other than that integral to the task and incidental to its central role of management improvement. Typical examples of services that are not appropriate for purchase under a MOBIS task include, but are not limited to: administrative support unless directly related to a MOBIS requirement, financial audits; engineering services, IT systems integration, network services, volume purchase of IT hardware, software or software development, data base planning, marketing and media services, and human resources services and construction and Architect-Engineering services as set forth in FAR Part 36 (including construction, alteration and repair of buildings, structures or other real property). Training classes that do not fall under the scope of MOBIS 874-4, refer to Schedule 69 for "general training". The acquisition of IT is not forbidden under MOBIS, however, it must be clear that the software, hardware, or IT services acquired must be incidental to the management improvement effort, and directly linked to the successful performance of the task. There are no specified definitions of incidental. This determination shall be made by the responsible agency Contracting Officer.

Yes, with the caveat that you cannot change the terms and conditions of the MOBIS contract. You may download the MOBIS Solicitation from www.fedbizopps.gov. Click on the "Find Business Opportunities" hyperlink and search for solicitation number TFTP-MC-000874-B(Refresh #11).

The MOBIS solicitation specifically authorizes the use of incentives at the task order level. The text of clause I-FSS-60 PERFORMANCE INCENTIVES (APRIL 2000) (TAILORED) is provided below: (a) When using a performance-based statement of work, performance incentives may be agreed upon between the Contractor and the ordering office on individual fixed price orders or Blanket Purchase Agreements, for fixed price tasks, under this contract in accordance with this clause. (b) The ordering office must establish a maximum performance incentive price for these services and/or total solutions on individual orders or Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPA). (c) To the maximum extent practicable, ordering offices shall consider establishing incentives where performance is critical to the agency's mission and incentives are likely to motivate the contractor. Incentives shall be based on objectively measurable tasks. (d) The above procedures do not apply to labor hour orders.

For administrative convenience, non-contract items may be added to the BPA or the individual task order if the items are clearly labeled as such, applicable acquisition regulations have been followed, and price reasonableness has been determined for the items. The MOBIS solicitation offers specific instruction as relates to transportation and per diem costs billed by the contractor: Costs incurred for transportation and per diem (lodging, meals and incidental expenses) will be billed in accordance with the regulatory implementation of Public Law 99-234, FAR 31.205-46 Travel Costs, and the contractor's cost accounting system. These costs are directly reimbursable by the ordering agency. (a) The contractor shall notify the ordering agency, in writing, of the requirement for reimbursement of transportation and per diem expenses, prior to acceptance of the order. This notification shall include a "not to exceed" estimate of these proposed costs. Any applicable indirect costs associated with the transportation and per diem expenses will be charged at a rate negotiated prior to the using agency's delivery order. Contractors shall be reimbursed only for incurred costs at or below the "not to exceed." (b) Costs for transportation, lodging, meals, and incidental expenses incurred by contractor personnel on official company business are allowable subject to the limitations contained in FAR 31.205-46, Travel Costs. (c) Reimbursements for costs that are not specified in this solicitation, or in any contract or task order resulting from this solicitation, are not allowed. It is GSA policy NOT to allow a charge of profit or fee on reimbursable items. Travel in performance of a task order will only be reimbursable to the extent authorized by the ordering agency.

GSA asserts that labor hour pricing up to this threshold is fair and reasonable. However, when the estimated value of your task order exceeds the maximum order threshold you are encouraged to pursue additional price discounts based on the volume of your order. Please note, this is not a GSA enforced limit on the value of your task order.(See I-FSS-125 Requirements Exceeding the Maximum Order (SEP 1999))

Agencies are encouraged to seek additional savings when the scope and/or anticiated dollar value of your order exceeds the maximum order threshold or when establishing a BPA for larger dollar acquisitions. Please refer to clauses 52.216-19 Order Limitations and I-FSS-125 Requirements Exceeding the Maximum Order (SEP 1999)

Yes, you may terminate for cause or convenience. Please refer to clause 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions in the MOBIS solicitation.

GSA has a staff of Industrial Operation Analysts who audit sales reported by Schedule contractors.

No. Short term requirements may be filled utilizing Schedule 736, Temporary Administrative and Professional Services. Long term staffing shortfalls filled by contractor personnel are typically considered personal services. Personal services cannot be procured under the Schedules Program.

GSA encourages customers to describe your needs and desired outcomes in a performace based statement of work rather than to require labor categories that you think are needed to perform the work. This performance-based approach gives contractors the ability to tailor their solution to your unique situation and to select the labor categories that they feel will best achieve the desired outcome. There are many labor categories awarded under MOBIS Special Item Numbers (SINs) that, in and of themselves, do not perform MOBIS-related work but may be utilized in a MOBIS project as part of the overall effort. Thus, it is important that you focus on the outcome you require rather than the labor categories that will be performing the work.

Yes, When you require specific labor categories and/or labor hours without fully describing the outcome/results required, you may invite the appearance of requiring personal services. Personal services are generally prohibited by law and federal acquisition regulations. In essence, you may give the appearance that you are "buying bodies" instead of professional services. If you require work to be perofrmed at a Government facility and the contractor personnel will be working closely with, or blended with, Government personnel, it is critical that you do not create an employer-employee relationship between the Government and the contractor personnel. Please refer to FAR Part 37.104, which describes the criteria that constitute personal services.

The tasks being accomplished under SIN 874-7 need to be of a specific nature and of a limited duration. The effort needs to be limited to a defined task with a specific start and end to the task. No SIN should be used to provide for an ongoing requirement for an indefinite time period. Personal services, as defind in FAR Part 37.104, are prohibited under the schedules program.