Blanket_Purchase_Agreement_23_May_13.docx

Blanket Purchase Agreement

The Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) is one of many methods the contracting office has to meet the Customers’ needs for goods and services. BPAs are a simplified method of filling anticipated repetitive needs for supplies or simple services by establishing charge accounts with qualified sources. BPAs are designed to reduce administrative costs in accomplishing small purchases by eliminating the need for issuing individual purchase documents.

A BPA is an agreement (NOT a contract) between the Government and a contractor that sets the stage for the Government to buy items quickly. All the conditions of sale are negotiated when the BPA is initially established, but contract formation does not occur until each individual call or order is placed.

A centralized BPAs means that only warranted Contracting Officers (CO) can make individual calls. BPAs may, however, be decentralized in certain circumstances wherein authorized callers other than COs are appointed. In those cases, BPA callers must be appointed in writing as ordering officers and properly trained.

A “call” is the action of placing an order against the BPA by an authorized caller. The contracting officer will provide the contractor a list of individuals authorized to place orders or “calls” under this agreement. If a call is not made by an individual listed on the authorized list, the call will be at the sole responsibility of the contractor.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT:

FAR Part 13.303 -- Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)