FAR Part 13 helps contracting officers make purchases faster and with less paperwork. It includes tools like micro-purchases (see episode 301), purchase orders (see episode 451), and Blanket Purchase Agreements (see episode 189).
These simplified rules apply to purchases up to $250,000. But there’s a big exception. Under FAR 13.5, if the item or service is commercial—like software or off-the-shelf products—the limit jumps to $7.5 million. This gives contracting officers a lot more room to work with.
In this episode, Shelley Hall joins Kevin to provide detailed strategies and tactics to take advantage of this lesser-known but very powerful part of the FAR. FAR 13.5 provides contracting officers with wide latitude to use simplified procedures to buy commercial items and services that already exist. In addition, it cuts down on delays and avoids many of the steps required in more complex purchases, like those under FAR Part 15. FAR 13.5 is a powerful tool that many people don’t know about—but should.