Purchases & Subawards using Federal Funds

Federal funds used for purchases and subawards must comply with the Procurement Standards included in OMB Circular A-110, sections .40 – .48.

To ensure that the procurement standards are met, Principle Investigators must, at a minimum, meet the following requirements:

• avoid purchasing unnecessary items.
• where appropriate, perform an analysis of lease and purchase alternatives to determine which would be the most economical and practical procurement for the Federal Government.
• ensure solicitations for goods and services provide for all of the following:

1. A clear and accurate description of the technical requirements for the material, product or service to be procured. In competitive procurements, such a description shall not contain features which unduly restrict competition.
2. Requirements which the bidder/offeror must fulfill and all other factors to be used in evaluating bids or proposals.
3. A description, whenever practicable, of technical requirements in terms of functions to be performed or performance required, including the range of acceptable characteristics or minimum acceptable standards.
4. The specific features of “brand name or equal” descriptions that bidders are required to meet when such items are included in the solicitation.
5. The acceptance, to the extent practicable and economically feasible, of products and services dimensioned in the metric system of measurement.
6. Preference, to the extent practicable and economically feasible, for products and services that conserve natural resources and protect the environment and are energy efficient.