MAS Contract CharacteristicsOrder Level Thresholds:
Any item under the micro-purchase threshold may be purchased without competition. This enables the ordering agency to acquire what it needs quickly. Although use of small businesses is preferred, it is not mandatory.
For items over the micro-purchase threshold but not over the SAT, written quotations are not required, use of eBuy is not mandated, and ordering agencies may review at least three Schedules and choose the combination of products and services that represent the best value to the agency. Preference should be given to small businesses.
The competition requirements for purchases over the SAT have changed for civilian agencies; they now match the Department of Defense's (DOD) requirements. Agencies must solicit enough vendors to ensure receipt of at least three quotations, they must seek price reductions, and the use of eBuy will ensure that a sufficient number of vendors have been made aware of the requirement. If fewer than three quotations are received, the Contracting Officer must document the file to explain the result, including stating what should be done the next time to ensure more competition.
MAS Contract CharacteristicsContract Level Thresholds:
Minimum order threshold. Each Schedule contract contains a minimum order threshold.
A Schedule contractor is not required to accept any order with a value less than the minimum order threshold. However, many Schedule contractors willingly accept such orders. If an order is issued below the minimum order threshold, the Schedule contractor has 5 days after receipt to reject the order.
Maximum order threshold. The maximum order threshold is set at a dollar amount where experience shows that it is advantageous for the ordering office to seek additional price reductions. The maximum order threshold is set by dollar value in Schedule contracts and is established at the SIN level. Therefore, each contractor under a specific SIN will have the same maximum order threshold.
A Schedule contractor is not required to accept any order that exceeds the maximum order threshold established in the Schedule contract. They have 5 days to reject the order.
When placing an order exceeding the maximum order threshold, the ordering activity shall seek an additional price reduction from Schedule contractors. (See FAR 8.405-1(d)).
Quantity and delivery/performance requirements. The Schedules themselves contain no specific quantities, other than minimum and maximum order threshold amounts. The ordering activity sets specific order quantities and specific delivery/ performance dates when issuing an order under the Schedule contract.
When issuing an order, delivery or performance periods and all other order requirements must conform to the applicable terms and conditions of the Schedule contract, however, an ordering activity may add additional terms and conditions as long as they do not conflict with the Schedule contract.
