Part 505 - Publicizing Contract Actions

Subpart 505.1 - Dissemination of Information

505.101 Methods of disseminating information.

Subpart 505.2 - Synopses of Proposed Contract Actions

505.202 Exceptions.

505.203 Publicizing and response time.

505.270 Synopsis of amendments to solicitations.

Subpart 505.3 - Synopses of Contract Awards

505.303 Announcement of contract awards.

505.303-70 Notification of proposed substantial awards and awards involving congressional interest.

Subpart 505.4 - Release of Information

505.403 Requests from Members of Congress.

Subpart 505.5 - Paid Advertisements

505.502 Authority.

505.503 Procedures.

505.504 Use of advertising agencies.

Parent topic: General Services Administration Acquisition Manual

Subpart 505.1 - Dissemination of Information

505.101 Methods of disseminating information.

If the acquisition is for real property appraisal services estimated to cost $25,000 or more and is not

exempt under FAR 5.202 or GSAR 505.202, then the contracting officer must publicize the proposed

acquisition in FedBizOpps. (Note: See part 570 for information regarding publicizing contracts

actions for leasehold interests in real property.)

Subpart 505.2 - Synopses of Proposed Contract Actions

505.202 Exceptions.
The Administrator has determined under section 18(c)(3) of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy

Act, as amended (41 U.S.C. 416 (c)(3)) and Section 8(g)(3) of the Small Business Act, as amended

(15 U.S.C. 644(g)(3)) that synopsizing in FedBizOpps is not always appropriate for acquisitions of

real property appraisal services. The contracting officer must, publicize such contract actions

following the procedures in 505.203.

505.203 Publicizing and response time.

If publicizing in newspapers, ensure that the notice appears at least three calendar days before

issuance of the solicitation. Allow at least these minimum response times:

(a) For real property appraisal services valued at less than the applicable Trade Agreements Act

(TAA) threshold (see FAR 25.401(b), 10 calendar days prior to receipt of initial offers.

(b) For real property appraisal services valued at or over the applicable TAA threshold, 40 calendar

days prior to receipt of initial offers. If the acquisition falls in a general category identified in an

annual forecast, the period may be reduced to as few as 10 days.

505.270 Synopsis of amendments to solicitations.

Synopsize in the CBD FedBizOpps any solicitation amendment when the amendment either:

(a) Increases the value of the contract action above the threshold requiring synopsis, or

(b) Makes other non-cardinal changes to the solicitation, such as a new time and date for receipt of

offers, minor changes or clarifications to the statement of work.

Subpart 505.3 - Synopses of Contract Awards

505.303 Announcement of contract awards.

Compliance with 505.303-70 fulfills the reporting requirements of FAR 5.303(a).

505.303-70 Notification of proposed substantial awards and awards involving

congressional interest.

(a) Applicability. This section applies to any proposed award exceeding or estimated to exceed:

(1) $500,000 for a contract under the 8(a)program.

(2) $1,000,000 for a supply contract unless it involves any of the following:

(i) Motor vehicles.

(ii) Supplies with not readily identifiable points of origin.
(iii) Supplies with foreign production points.

(3) $3,500,000 for a design (Architect/Engineer) or construction contract.

(4) $500,000 for any other contract, or class of contract, if a Member of Congress has specifically

requested notification of award to a contractor in his/her district or State.

(b) Notification Procedures.

(1) The Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs (OCIA) will provide in writing to the

HCA the names of members of Congress (in whose district or State the contractor is located and the

work is to be performed), who wish to be notified of any award under subparagraph (a)(4) of this

subsection.

(2) Notify OCIA either by:

(i) Electronic mail to OCIAContracts@gsa.gov.

(ii) Facsimile to (202) 219-5742.

(iii) Hand delivery to 1800 F Street, NW, Room 6116, Washington, DC 20405.

(3) Except for awards under urgent and compelling circumstances, the contracting officer must

provide the notice to OCIA on the day of award and 24 hours before telephonic or e-mail notice (if

applicable) is provided to the contractor. If the contracting officer cannot meet this timeframe, the

contracting director must notify OCIA by telephone or e-mail.

(4) For awards under subparagraph (a)(4) of this section, provide a copy of the notice to the

Regional congressional liaison office.

(c) Contents of notice.

(1) Provide the information in accordance with the format at https://www.gsa.gov/reference/forms.

(2) The notification to OCIA may contain sensitive preaward information. The notification must be

labeled accordingly. OCIA and regional congressional liaison offices are responsible for the security

of such information and will establish procedures governing its release before official notification of

award. Unless otherwise authorized by the contracting officer, the release of such information

before award is limited to members of Congress and their staff.

(d) Release of awards.

(1) The Associate Administrator for OCIA will identify notifications which require priority

processing. OCIA will release such notices at the time and date specified by the Associate

Administrator.

(2) Unless notified to the contrary, the contracting officer may release awards described in

paragraph (a) of this section, or information related to them, after two full workdays (48 hours) from

the time and date of notification to OCIA. This is done to ensure that the notification has occurred

and contract award has actually taken place. The date/time stamp on the email, facsimile

transmission, or hand delivery receipt establishes the time and date of notification.
Subpart 505.4 - Release of Information

505.403 Requests from Members of Congress.

(a) The contracting officer shall consult with legal counsel if the response would disclose any of the

following:

(1) Classified material.

(2) Confidential business information.

(3) Contractor bid or proposal information or source selection information as defined in FAR 3.104-3.

(4) Information prejudicial to a competitive acquisition.

(b) If the response involves proprietary or source selection information, the contracting officer shall

use the GSA Form 3611 for clarity and visibility.

(c) Refer the proposed response to the HCA and inform the OCIA of the action taken.

Subpart 505.5 - Paid Advertisements

505.502 Authority.

(a) Newspapers. The Senior Procurement Executive must approve publication of paid newspaper

advertisements in accordance with FAR 5.502(a). Approval is not required if FAR 5.101 or GSAR

505.101 requires publication. Document the contract file with the regulatory citation or written

approval to support the use of paid newspaper advertisements.

(b) Other media. Advance approval is not required to advertise in other media.

505.503 Procedures.

(a) Substitute form. Unless the contracting officer makes an award or order via electronic commerce

or by using the Governmentwide commercial purchase card, use GSA Form 300, Order for Supplies

and Services.

(b) Invoice receipt by contracting officer. After receiving an invoice and proof of advertising from a

publisher, radio or television station, or advertising agency, the contracting officer shall take the

following actions:

(1) Certify the invoice for payment.

(2) Submit the invoice to Finance.

(3) Retain the proof of advertising in the contract file.
(c) Invoice receipt by receiving official. If a receiving official receives an invoice from a publisher,

radio or television station, or advertising agency, he or she takes all the following actions:

(1) Prepares a receiving report.

(2) Submits the invoice and receiving report to Finance for payment.

(3) Gives the contracting officer a copy of the receiving report for retention in the contract file.

505.504 Use of advertising agencies.

The services of commercial advertising agencies may be used only if the contracting officer

determines that the services rendered by those agencies can either:

(a) Increase competition for contracts; or

(b) Improve the effectiveness of GSA advertising and marketing programs.