Army Contract Writing System _Transition Information for Offerors_CHESS RFQs.pdf

15 May 2024

Army Contract Writing System (ACWS) Transition Information for Contractors - Orders

a. The Army Contracting Enterprise (ACE) is in the process of deploying new solicitation and contract writing software to Army contracting offices worldwide. Known as the Army Contract Writing System (ACWS), this modern software suite will soon replace most existing Army contract writing systems, including the system used to create and release this Order.

b. During this transition period, Contractors are hereby advised:

1. The Contracting Office may use any combination of contract writing systems to generate distributable copies of this order during its period of performance, as well as any subsequent modifications. As a result:

i. Subsequent documents you receive may appear noticeably different than the original order or previous contractual documents from the same Contracting Office.

ii. A change between contract writing systems may cause important information concerning order terms and conditions to take on different formatting or appear in different parts of later documents issued.

iii. Contractors shall ensure Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems and personnel interacting with this order are prepared to identify and respond appropriately to differences between document versions.

2. The Government does not intend to use the shift between contract writing systems to effect any changes to order terms and conditions. Therefore:

i. Contractors should view changes to terms or conditions between document versions as system-generated and potentially erroneous unless accompanied by narrative(s) designating such changes as deliberate and desired.

ii. Contractors shall inform the Contracting Officer listed on the first page of the most recent document issued for guidance regarding any suspected or observed inadvertent or system-generated changes (e.g. noticing something missing in a new conformed copy).

iii. The Government will correct any inadvertent or system-generated changes, additions, or omissions discovered by either party, via bilateral modification, at no cost to the Contractor.

iv. The terms and conditions contained in the latest document reflecting deliberate action by the Contracting Officer (e.g. the last conformed copy of the order not affected by the observed issue) will take precedence until these problems are corrected.

3. In the unlikely event award information is corrupted or mutilated during system migration and replacement or re-issuance of this order is necessary for continued contract administration, the Contracting Officer will:

15 May 2024

i. Issue a continuation contract/order in accordance with DFARS 204.1601(c) and DFARS

PGI 204.1601(c), carrying over all terms and conditions from the last-known version of this order accurately reflecting mutual agreement of the parties.

ii. Incorporate the last-known version of this order accurately reflecting mutual agreement of the parties as an attachment to the replacement or continuation contract/order for future reference.

iii. Ensure any such reissuance or continuance is properly reported to preserve the integrity of Contractor performance measurement data, if any (e.g. FAPIIS, CPARS).