The Federal Acquisition System is designed with a clear vision: to secure the best value in products and services for the customer in a timely manner, all while upholding public trust and achieving public policy objectives. This system emphasizes a collaborative team approach, where every participant is empowered to make informed decisions within their designated area of responsibility.
This Federal Acquisition System operates on several core principles aimed at delivering optimal outcomes:
Satisfying Customer Needs Through Strategic Acquisition Guiding
The system prioritizes customer satisfaction in terms of cost-effectiveness, high quality, and timely delivery. This is achieved through several key strategies:
- Maximizing Commercial Solutions: A primary focus is placed on utilizing readily available commercial products and services whenever feasible. This approach leverages existing market solutions to meet government needs efficiently.
- Prioritizing Proven Performers: The system favors engaging contractors with a demonstrated history of successful past performance or those who can clearly exhibit a superior capability to deliver. This minimizes risk and enhances the likelihood of successful project outcomes.
- Fostering Healthy Competition: Promoting competition among potential contractors is crucial. Competitive environments drive innovation, improve value, and ensure the government receives the most advantageous offers.
Streamlining Operations and Upholding Ethical Standards Guiding
Beyond customer satisfaction, the Federal Acquisition System is committed to operational excellence and ethical conduct. This includes:
- Minimizing Administrative Costs: Efficiency is paramount. The system actively seeks to minimize administrative overhead and operating costs to ensure taxpayer resources are used judiciously.
- Operating with Integrity and Transparency: Conducting business with unwavering integrity, fairness, and openness is non-negotiable. This builds public trust and ensures a level playing field for all participants.
- Fulfilling Public Policy Objectives Guiding: The acquisition process is intrinsically linked to broader public policy goals. The system is designed to support and advance these objectives through its operations.
The Acquisition Team: A Collaborative Force Guiding
The success of the Federal Acquisition System hinges on the collaborative efforts of the Acquisition Team. This team is broadly defined to include all participants in government acquisition. It encompasses:
- Representatives from technical, supply, and procurement communities.
- The customers they serve within the government.
- The contractors who provide the essential products and services.
Empowering Initiative and Sound Judgment Guiding
Each member of the Acquisition Team plays a vital role, empowered to exercise personal initiative and sound business judgment. The overarching goal is to provide the best value product or service that effectively meets the customer’s needs. Government team members are encouraged to be proactive and innovative. They are authorized to adopt strategies, practices, policies, or procedures that are in the government’s best interest, even if not explicitly detailed in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), provided they are not legally prohibited. This empowers team members to navigate complex situations and make effective decisions, guided by the overarching principles of the Federal Acquisition System.
Alt text: Federal Acquisition Team collaboration diagram, showing government, technical, supply, procurement, customers, and contractors working together towards best value.
