Construction Copilot.pdf

Type of Award/ Obligation Vehicle

Primary Guidance (Statutory / Regulatory)

RFO Part 16.5, 22.4 & 36

Repair/Build/Demo/Remediate Only Repair/Build/Demo/Remediate Only Repair/Build/Demo/Remediate Only Repair/Build/Demo/Remediate Only Repair/Build/Demo/Remediate Only Repair/Build/Demo/Remediate Only Repair/Build/Demo/Remediate Only Design-Bid-Build (DBB) Design-Bid-Build (DBB) Design-Bid-Build (DBB) Design-Bid-Build (DBB) Design-Bid-Build (DBB) Design-Bid-Build (DBB) Design-Bid-Build (DBB)

Design Build (DB) 2 Phase Design Build (DB) 2 Phase Design Build (DB) 2 Phase Design Build (DB) 2 Phase Design Build (DB) 2 Phase Design Build (DB) 2 Phase Design Build (DB) 2 Phase Design Build (DB) 1 Phase Design Build (DB) 1 Phase Design Build (DB) 1 Phase Design Build (DB) 1 Phase Design Build (DB) 1 Phase Design Build (DB) 1 Phase Design Build (DB) 1 Phase Progressive Design Build (PDB) Progressive Design Build (PDB) Progressive Design Build (PDB) Progressive Design Build (PDB) Progressive Design Build (PDB) Progressive Design Build (PDB) Progressive Design Build (PDB) Accelerated Design Build (ADB) Accelerated Design Build (ADB) Accelerated Design Build (ADB) Accelerated Design Build (ADB) Accelerated Design Build (ADB) Accelerated Design Build (ADB) Accelerated Design Build (ADB)

Description

Solicitation Method

Cost Risk Considerations

Schedule Risk Considerations

Performance Risk Considerations

Short Short Short Short Short Short Short

Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate

Long Long Long Long Long Long Long

Design Flexibility

Funding

Terms and Conditions

Forms

Possible Use Case (not limited to these examples)

RFO Authorities

Streamlined method for ordering pre-priced construction and facility repair services from contractors who hold a GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract.

Request for Quote (RFQ) issued via GSA eBuy or directly to a selection of GSA MAS contract holders.

Low. GSA has already determined prices to be fair and reasonable at the master contract level. Orders are almost always Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP). Competition among schedule holders for an RFQ provides price reasonableness.

Low. The procurement lead time is significantly reduced because the master contracts are already in place. It's one of the fastest FAR-based methods to get a contractor on board for a defined requirement.

Low. GSA has already vetted the capabilities and past performance of schedule holders. The government further mitigates risk by reviewing past performance on similar-sized task orders.

Partnership agreement with state/local/tribal governments to receive installation-support services. FAR does not apply. Cannot be used to acquire work traditionally classified as construction;

however, incidental construction associated with maintenance or repair of a service is permissible.

A non-FAR agreement specifically for facility construction, repair, planning, and design. Allows for extreme flexibility and follow-on production without further competition.

Agreement Authorities

Task orders issued against established Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts. Used to execute a broad range of pre-competed FSRM and minor

MILCON

Fair Opportunity Proposal Request (FOPR) issued to the pre-qualified pool of IDIQ contract holders

Low to Moderate. Master contract rates/coefficients are pre-established. Task orders are typically Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP).

Competition is limited to the pool, but still drives fair pricing.

Low. Low. The contractor pool was already vetted for technical capability and past performance during the base contract award.

Low. The contractor pool was already vetted for technical capability and past performance during the base contract award.

Other Transaction

Low. This vehicle offers the maximum speed to execution by eliminating FAR-mandated synopsizing and protest periods.

The only "hard" schedule constraint is a 14-day Congressional notification period.

Moderate. While terms are highly negotiable, the Government often uses milestone-based payments. Risk is managed through iterative "piloting" before full-scale execution is authorized.

Request for White Papers / Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) / Merit-Based Selection - examples only, method is flexible

Maximum. Explicitly authorized for "planning, design, and engineering." Allows for a fully collaborative, iterative design process where the final configuration is not "locked" at award.

Military Construction (MILCON) Operations & Maintenance (O&M)

RDT&E

Low. The government typically reimburses the partner government for its actual costs.

The agreement leverages the partner's existing economies of scale, often resulting in significant cost savings.

Negotiated Partnership Agreement / MOA.

Best used for low-complexity, well-defined services such as Partnering with a local city to pave roads, manage refuse collection, or perform grounds maintenance. Ideal for recurring services or simple FSRM projects.

N/A. IGSA Agreement for general scope and terms and conditions rather than standard GSA/DAF forms. Refer to Contracting Central for detailed guidance on CON-IT & FPDS-NG.

Negotiable agreement is a legal instrument with terms tailored to the specific partnership, but must protect U.S. interests.

The FAR does not apply, but recommend consideration of FAR Part 12 commercial clause language.

Operations & Maintenance (O&M)

- per 10 USC 2679(c)

Low. Best suited for simple, clearly defined scopes of work that align with the services the partner government already provides for its own needs.

Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Unspecified Minor Military Construction

(UMMC)

Urgent, innovative, or highly complex construction and repair projects where FAR-based constraints would impede mission success or speed.

N/A. Uses a custom "Other Transaction Agreement" (OTA) document rather than standard GSA/DAF forms. Refer to Contracting Central for detailed guidance on CON-IT & FPDS-NG.

Negotiable Articles of Agreement

High. Allows for collaborative design development, performance-based specifications, and the ability to refine requirements through the negotiation and discussion process.

FAR, GSAR Clauses in base GSA Schedule

- other project-specific clauses may be added.

As required by the FSS ordering procedures

Ideal for simple, non-complex FSRM (Facilities, Sustainment, Restoration, Modernization) projects. Examples include interior/exterior repairs, roofing, paving, HVAC replacement, and site preparation where the scope is clearly defined.

Low. Best suited for projects with a well-defined scope and minimal design requirements (e.g., FSRM, simple repairs, or using a standard commercial design).

Not suitable for complex, iterative design efforts.

Zero. No changes or collaborative design allowed after the IFB is issued. The design is "locked" at 100% prior to solicitation.

Military Construction (MILCON) Operations & Maintenance (O&M)

FAR Clauses

SABER for minor facility renovations and painting, or using MACCs for larger base infrastructure upgrades, full facility roof replacements, and runway repairs.

As required by the IDIQ ordering procedures

FAR, DFARS Clauses in base IDIQ - other project-specific clauses may be added in the Task Order.

Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Unspecified Minor Military Construction

(UMMC)

Invitation for bids (IFB)

Low to Gov. Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) only.

The contractor bears all cost risk for performance, but the Gov is at risk for claims due to design errors or omissions.

Moderate. Depends on the vehicle.

Most Likely Construction Methods

RFO Part 15

10 USC 2679(a)

Intergovernmental Support Agreement (IGSA)RFO Part 8 RFO Part 14

RFO Part 14, 22.4 & 36

RFO Part 12

RFO Part 12, 22.4 & 36RFO Part 8, 22.4. & 36, GSAR Part 538.71

Speed to Award/Execution

(notional - for illustration)

Moderate. Performance is dependent on the capabilities and quality of the partner government's workforce or their contractors. DAF needs to include considerations for managing performance within the Agreement, since typical "COR" requirements do not apply in a non-FAR based agreement.

Low. The agreement is sole-source between the DAF and state/local/tribal government, eliminating procurement lead time.

Execution speed is dependent on the partner government's existing processes and contract vehicles. Local/state/tribal government should award their contract competitively.

Low. Risk is mitigated through a "Merit- Based Selection" process that focuses on innovative capabilities and technical excellence. The ability to use Progressive Design-Build allows for constant Government-Contractor alignment.

Low. The Government mitigates risk by evaluating technical excellence, past performance, and management plans. In Design-Build, the contractor assumes the risk for design errors and omissions.

Moderate. Procurement lead time is standard, but execution cannot begin until 100% design is complete. Any design error discovered during construction causes significant delays (Change Orders).

High for Gov. The Government owns the design. If the facility cannot be built as designed, the Gov pays for the fix.

Performance is based strictly on meeting the provided specs.

10 USC 2808a

DAF Contracting Compass Part 36 - Construction Copilot Tool - July 2026

Limited. Restricted to "minor modifications" that do not fundamentally alter the commercial nature of the product.

The Government must adapt its needs to what the market already provides.

Military Construction (MILCON) for Modular buildings.

Operations & Maintenance (O&M)

Streamlined FAR Clauses

SF1442 - required >SAT SF1449 - can be used below SAT, but required items from SF1442 need to be added elsewhere in the solicitation/award.

Acquiring pre-engineered buildings, modular offices, standard paving/roofing, or HVAC replacements that are widely available in the commercial marketplace.

Streamlined acquisition of commercial construction products/services.

Request for Proposal (RFP)/Combo Synopsis-solicitation

Low. Restricted primarily to Firm-Fixed- Price (FFP). Financial risk is borne almost entirely by the contractor. Price reasonableness is determined by comparing the offer to established market prices.

Low. Leverages existing commercial supply chains and established delivery timelines.

Because the requirements are generally standard, the risk of "scope creep" or schedule slippage is minimized.

Low. The Government relies on the contractor's existing quality control systems and standard commercial warranties. Risk is mitigated by the fact that the service or product is already proven in the commercial sector.

SF1442

Simple, repetitive construction projects (paving, roofing, basic structures) where the design is stable and price is the only deciding factor.

RFO Part 16.5

Negotiated award to the best-value to the Government.

Request for Proposal (RFP)

Moderate. While Firm-Fixed-Price is preferred, the Government may use incentive-based contracts. Cost risk is mitigated through the evaluation of cost/price realism and the ability to negotiate the final price based on technical trade-offs.

High (Procurement) / Low (Execution).

Procurement lead times are the longest of all FAR-based methods due to formal evaluations. However, execution risk is lowered by selecting highly qualified contractors and utilizing Design-Build methods to overlap phases.

Military Construction (MILCON) Operations & Maintenance (O&M)

FAR Clauses

SF1442

Complex, high-value, or mission-critical construction where technical competence and design innovation are more critical than obtaining the lowest possible price.

RFO Part 15, 22.4 & 36

Award to lowest responsive/responsible bidder without discussions. Price is the only factor.

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