GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON, DC 20405
ADM 2800.20 Revalidated
January 31, 1989; Revalidated August 2, 2013
GSA ORDER
SUBJECT: Delegation of Acquisition Authority
1. Purpose. This order establishes uniform policies concerning the delegation of acquisition authority by GSA to other Federal agencies.
2. Background. The Administrator and various GSA services and offices delegate GSA's statutorily prescribed acquisition authorities to other Federal agencies for accomplishment of GSA mission requirements. There are no Agency-wide policies covering delegation of acquisition authority to other Federal agencies. This order prescribes the required policies.
3. Applicability. The policies and procedures contained in this order apply to all delegations of acquisition authority made by the Administrator or in accordance with the GSA Order, GSA Delegations of Authority Manual, ADM P 5450.39C.
4. Policy.
a. Acquisition authority may be delegated only when:
(1) The delegation would serve the Government's interest by providing an economical and efficient means of supplying the required property, supplies or services;
(2) The delegated agency is agreeable to assuming the delegation and has the organizational capability of effectively assuming the delegation with a sufficient number of fully trained personnel in the contracting and requirements functions.
b. GSA will oversee the exercise of the delegated agency's authority to ensure compliance with the terms of the delegation and applicable laws and regulations.
5. Definitions.
a. Delegation. GSA's delegation of authority to another Federal agency to perform a specific acquisition, or the delegation of authority to another Federal agency to perform GSA functions that could include acquisitions as a component thereof. This includes all delegations of acquisition authority regardless of type or dollar value. Excluded are situations where an agency has the authority to act without further delegation from GSA but is required by regulation to obtain GSA approval, pursuant to GSA's role as a central management agency (e.g., waivers granted to agencies under FPMR 101.26.100-2, procurements in excess of a schedule's maximum order limitation pursuant to FPMR 101-26.401-4, and procurements otherwise authorized by the terms of an existing GSA contract).
b. Acquisition management reviews. On-site reviews of the acquisition practices and procedures used by an agency in exercising the acquisition authority delegated to the agency by GSA. The purpose of the review is to measure the efficiency and effectiveness of the procurement function, organization structure, policies, procedures, and management of the delegated agency's acquisition program as it relates to the delegation of acquisition authority.
6. Responsibilities.
a. Commissioners of FPRS, FSS, IRMS, and PBS. The head of each Service is responsible for:
(1) Developing policies and procedures governing all delegations of acquisition authority, tailored to the mission and organizational structure of the service, which, at a minimum, will consist of the following:
(a) Criteria for identifying those programs and projects that are appropriate for delegation of acquisition authority.
(b) Criteria for determining whether the prospective delegated agency can successfully manage the delegation.
(c) Procedures for ensuring that each request for delegation of acquisition authority is appropriately documented, and an accountable official provided by the delegated agency.
(d) Procedures for monitoring and providing oversight of the Federal agency to ensure adherence to the terms of the delegation and all applicable laws and regulations. The procedures may be included in delegations granted by the service. The service should consider the following for inclusion in the delegation document, depending upon the nature and scope of the delegation and the nature and dollar value of contracts to be awarded under the delegation:
(i) Acquisition management reviews of the organization(s) that will exercise the delegated authority, and preaward or post-award review of selected agency acquisitions to be awarded under the delegation. GSA will perform the reviews unless the delegated agency has a program acceptable to GSA for doing so, in which case the delegated agency may perform the review function and provide GSA with the results of its reviews; and
(ii) Designation within GSA of a point of contact for the delegated agency.
(e) Criteria for withdrawal of the delegation of acquisition authority.
(2) Defining the role and responsibilities of the Central and Regional Offices of the Service in carrying out the delegated program.
(3) Appointing a Program Director for delegation of acquisition authority to manage and monitor the delegation program.
(4) Keeping the Office of Acquisition Policy (V) informed of the name and telephone number of the Program Director responsible for the Service's delegation's program.
b. Associate Administrator for Acquisition Policy: The Associate Administrator for Acquisition Policy is responsible for:
(1) Monitoring service implementation of GSA's program for delegation of acquisition authority established in accordance with paragraph 6.
(2) Assisting the Heads of Services, as requested, in establishing a program governing the delegation of acquisition authority.
(3) Providing support to the Heads of Services, as requested, in conducting acquisition management reviews of acquisitions by the delegated agency or in preaward or postaward review of selected agency acquisitions awarded under the delegation.
7. Resources. The delegation of acquisition authority program outlined in this order must be implemented within the current resources allocations.
8. Implementing actions. The Heads of Central Office Services and the Associate Administrator for Acquisition Policy shall initiate all actions necessary to implement this order within 120 days of the date of this order.
RICHARD G. AUSTIN
Acting Administrator
U.S. General Services Administration