HHS Acquisition Policies and Guidance
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NOTE: For small businesses seeking to do business with HHS, please go to http://www.hhs.gov/about/smallbusiness/.
Health and Human Services Acquisition Regulation (HHSAR)
- HHS Acquisition Regulation (HHSAR)
- Federal Register Notice: Health and Human Services Acquisition Regulation (HHSAR); Final Rule, published on November 27, 2009 and effective January 26, 2010
- Federal Register Notice: Health and Human Services Acquisition Regulation; Corrections, published and effective on April 26, 2010
Desk References
Privacy Act – System of Records Notice
HHS Consolidated Acquisition Solution (HCAS) is an initiative to reduce the number of duplicative acquisition systems, thereby streamlining and standardizing our procurement processes and systems across the Department. HCAS replaced varying Procurement Request Information System configurations that existed across HHS, and replaced legacy acquisition systems and manual processes necessary for capturing HHS acquisition transactions for integration with the Unified Financial Management System. The System of Records Notice for HCAS can be found at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/pdf/2011-9467.pdf.
Class Deviations
- Class Deviation - Prohibition Against Contracting with Corporations with a Felony Criminal Conviction Under Federal or State Law or an Unpaid Federal Tax Liability
- Attachment 1: Alternate - Representation by Corporations Regarding an Unpaid Delinquent Tax Liability or a Felony Conviction under Any Federal Law
- Attachment 2: GSA Class Deviation Memo to Implement Appropriations Provisions Related to Suspension and Debarment
- Class Deviation – Public Access to Information in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS), 10-15-2010 (DOC)
- GSA Civilian Agency Acquisition Council Letter 2011-01 (PDF - 3 pages)
- Class Deviation – FAR 52.222-40 - Notification of Employee Rights under the National Labor Relations Act (6/28/2010)
- GSA Civilian Agency Acquisition letter 2010-03 (PDF - 2 pages)
- Rescission of Class Deviation - FAR 9.4 - Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIA) 11-15-2010
- Class Deviation – FAR 9.4 – Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) 04-16-2010
- GSA Civilian Agency Acquisition Letter 2010-02 (PDF - 2 pages)
- Class Deviation from FAR 25.402(b) to Implement New Procurement Thresholds for Trade Agreements, 01-22-2010 (PDF -2 pages)
- GSA Civilian Agency Acquisition Letter 2010-01 (PDF - 2 pages)
- Class Deviation from FAR 13.5 - Extension of Test Program for Certain Commercial Items, 12-03-2009 (PDF - 2 pages)
- Class Deviation – FAR 52-222-8(b)(1) - Payrolls and Basic Records , 07-29-2009
- GSA Civilian Agency Acquisition Letter 2009-02 (PDF - 5 pages)
Acquisition Policy Memoranda (APM)
- APM 2012-03 Implementation of the Requirements of the FY2012 HHS Appropriations Acts and HHS’ Non-Discrimination Policy, 3/28/12
- Attachment A: Interim Updates to HHSAR
- Attachment B: Applicable Public Laws 112-74 and 112-55
- Attachment C: Requirements by Principle Type and/or Purpose of Contract
- Attachment D: Class Deviation - Prohibition Against Contracting with Corporations with a Felony Criminal Conviction Under Federal or State Law or an Unpaid Federal Tax Liability
- Attachment 1: Alternate - Representation by Corporations Regarding an Unpaid Delinquent Tax Liability or a Felony Conviction under Any Federal Law
- Attachment 2: GSA Class Deviation Memo to Implement Appropriations Provisions Related to Suspension and Debarment
- APM 2012-02, “Federal Acquisition Certification for Contracting Officer’s Representatives (FAC-COR)”, January 25, 2012
- APM 2012-01, "Guidance on Inherently Governmental and Critical Functions and Information Collection – FY 2012 Service Contract Inventory" 03-01-2012
- OFPP Policy Letter 11-01, Performance of Inherently Governmental and Critical Functions, 09-12-2011 (PDF-16 pages)
- Technical Correction to Policy Letter 11-01 (PDF-1 page)
- APM 2011-05, “Sustainable “Green” Acquisition” 10-07-2011
- APM 2011-04, “Appropriations Law Compliance Reviews” 10-06-2011
- APM 2011-03, “Project Labor Agreement” 7-25-2011
- APM 2011-02, “HHS’ Prospective Service Acquisition Reviews” 6-3-2011
- APM 2011-01, “Service Contract Act” 03-25-2011
- APM 2010-02, "Increasing Contracting Opportunities with the AbilityOne Program" 07-08-2010
- APM 2010-01, “APM Guidance Regarding Funding of Contract Exceeding One Year of Performance 06-28-2010” 06-28-2010 (PDF - 29 pages)
- Attachment to APM 2010-01, Interim HHSAR Coverage
- APM 2009-07, “Guidance Regarding Generation and Use of Contractor Past Performance Information,” 12-23-2009 (DOC - 9 pages)
- APM 2009-06 “Acquisition Guidance on Award Fees,” 08-07-2009 (RESCINDED)
- APM 2009-05, “Acquisition Strategy Requirements and Template,” 07-29-2009
- APM 2009-04, “Multi-Agency Contracting,” 07-02-2009 (PDF - 51KB)
- See 2008 - 2009 HHS Acquisition Policy Memoranda
Other Acquisition Guidance
NOTE: Any interim HHSAR changes with an effective date prior to January 26, 2010, have been superseded by the amended HHSAR.
- HHS Policy on Promoting Efficient Spending (June 7, 2012): Use of Appropriated Funds for Conferences and Meetings, Food, Promotional Items, and Printing and Publications
- Attachment 1: HHS Policy on Use of Appropriated Funds for Conferences and Meeting Space
- Attachment A: HHS Conference Request and Approval Form
- Attachment B: HHS Conference Request for Waiver Form
- Attachment C: HHS Conference
- HHS Policy on Promoting Efficient Spending (January 3, 2012)
- Attachment 2: HHS Policy on Use of Appropriated Funds for Food
- Attachment 3: HHS Policy on Use of Appropriated Funds for Promotional Items
- Attachment 4: HHS Policy on Printing and Publications
- Attachment 1: HHS Policy on Use of Appropriated Funds for Conferences and Meeting Space
- Instructions on the Use of General Services Administration (GSA) Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) for Independent Risk Analysis Services (PDF - 57KB), 4-20-2009
- Interim Section 508 Acquisition Policy Guidance, 01-16-2008 (DOC - 41.5 KB)
- Preventing and Detecting Fraud in HHS Contracting, 12-01-2008 (DOC - 40KB)
- Interim Departmental Protest Control Officer (DPCO) Acquisition Guidance, 12-19-2007 (DOC - 29.5 KB)
- HSPD-12 Contractual Implementation Guidance (DOC - 57KB) 10/27/2007
- Contract Clause to Implement the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act of 2003 (the “Leadership Act”), 10-17-2007
- Section 508 - Acquisition of Communications Products
- Interim HHSAR Guidance – Acquisition of EIT under Section 508 EIT Accessibility Provisions (DOC - 160.5 KB)
- Regulation Proposal: HHSAR Interim Change -- Departmental Protest Control Officer (DPCO) (DOC - 66 KB)
- Appendix Q HHS Contracting Guide
- Also see Acquisition Workforce Planning and Certification
Contract File Checklists (See APM 2009-02)
- Architect-Engineer Acquisition Checklist
- GSA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Checklist
- Negotiated Acquisition Checklist
- Presolicitation to Award (PDF - 53KB; HTML)
- Administration to Closeout (PDF - 27KB)
- Reports and Deliverables (PDF - 12KB)
- Unsuccessful Proposals (PDF - 12KB)
- Sealed Bid Acquisition Checklist
- Presolicitation to Award (PDF - 49KB; HTML)
- Administration to Closeout (PDF - 27KB)
- Unsuccessful Bids (PDF - 12KB)
- Task Order Checklist
Acquisition Templates
HHS Contract Competition
- APM 2008-03
- HHS Template and Instructions for a Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition (DOC - 121KB)
- HHS Template and Instructions for a General Services Administration Federal Supply Schedule Limited Source Justification (DOC - 110KB)
- Competition Advocate Report Template and Instructions Fiscal Year 2008 and Beyond (DOC - 132KB)
HHS Acquisition Planning
- See APM 2009-05, Attachment A: “HHS Instructions for Preparation of an Acquisition Strategy,” (Template) 07-29-2009 (DOC - 15 pages)
- HHS Acquisition Plan (AP) October 2010 (DOC - 30 pages)
- HHS Annual Acquisition Plan Template and Instructions, 12-04-09 (PDF-7 pages)
- HHS Acquisition Plan Waiver Request Template and Instructions (PDF - 93.63 KB)
- HHS-674 Form – Structured Approach - Profit/Fee (PDF-4 pages)
Acquisition Guides
- HHS Contract Closeout Guide
- HHS Affirmative Procurement Plan (Green Purchasing) October 2010 (DOC - 507KB)
- HHS Purchase Card Guide Version 6 – July 2010 (PDF - 98 pages)
- Summary of changes to the revised HHS Purchase Card Guide
- Purchase Card Quick Reference (DOC - 66 KB)
Contract Data Reliability
2008-2009 Acquisition Policy Memoranda
- APM 2009-07, “Guidance Regarding Generation and Use of Contractor Past Performance Information,” 12-23-2009
- APM 2009-06 “Acquisition Guidance on Award Fees,” 08-07-2009 (RESCINDED)
- APM 2009-05, “Acquisition Strategy Requirements and Template,” 07-29-2009
- APM 2009-04, ”Multi-Agency Contracting,” 07-02-2009 (PDF - 51KB)
- APM 2009-03, “FAC-PPM Acquisition Policy Memo,” 06-30-2009 (PDF)
- APM 2009-02, “Contract and Order File Organization and Content, 5-20-2009, Effective 10-1-2009 (PDF - 1.64MB)
- APM 2009-01, “Interim Acquisition Guidance Regarding Market Research Notices,” 03-13-2009
- APM 2008-05, “Contract Reporting,” 11-26-2008 (DOC - 56KB)
- APM 2008-04, “International Contract Award Notification,” 11-26-2008 (DOC - 69KB)
- APM 2008-03, “Annual Competition Advocate Report and Documenting Noncompetitive Acquisitions,” 10-01-2008 (DOC - 51KB)
- APM 2008-02,HHS Interim Acquisition Guidance Concerning Earned Value Management, 10-01-2008 (DOC - 149KB)
- APM 2008-01, “Federal Acquisition Certification for Contracting Officers’ Technical Representatives,” 10-01-2008, (FAC-COTR) (DOC - 64KB)
Also see:
Last Updated: March 20, 2012