Subpart 51.1 - Contractor Use of Government

Supply Sources

Parent topic: Part 51 - Use of Government Sources by Contractors

51.100 Scope of subpart.

This subpart prescribes policies and procedures for the use of Government supply sources (see

51.102(c)) by contractors. In this subpart, the terms "contractors" and "contracts" include

"subcontractors" and "subcontracts."

51.101 Policy.

(a) If it is in the Government’s interest, and if supplies or services required in the performance of a

Government contract are available from Government supply sources, contracting officers may

authorize contractors to use these sources in performing-

(1) Government cost-reimbursement contracts;

(2) Other types of negotiated contracts when the agency determines that a substantial dollar portion

of the contractor’s contracts are of a Government cost-reimbursement nature; or

(3) A contract under 41 U.S.C.chapter 85, Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or

Severely Disabled, if-

(i) The nonprofit agency requesting use of the supplies and services is providing a commodity or

service to the Federal Government; and

(ii) The supplies or services received are directly used in making or providing a commodity or

service, approved by the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled,

to the Federal Government (see subpart 8.7).

(b) Contractors with fixed-price Government contracts that require protection of security classified

information may acquire security equipment through GSA sources (see 41 CFR 101-26.507).

(c) Contracting officers shall authorize contractors purchasing supply items for Government use that

are available from the Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled (see

subpart 8.7) to purchase such items from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), the General Services

Administration (GSA), and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) if they are available from these

agencies through their distribution facilities. Mandatory supplies that are not available from

DLA/GSA/VA shall be ordered through the appropriate central nonprofit agency (see 52.208-9(c)).

51.102 Authorization to use Government supply sources.

(a) Before issuing an authorization to a contractor to use Government supply sources in accordance
with 51.101(a) or (b), the contracting officer shall place in the contract file a written finding

supporting issuance of the authorization. A written finding is not required when authorizing use of

Government supply sources in accordance with 51.101(c). Except for findings under 51.101(a)(3),

the determination shall be based on, but not limited to, considerations of the following factors:

(1) The administrative cost of placing orders with Government supply sources and the program

impact of delay factors, if any.

(2) The lower cost of items available through Government supply sources.

(3) Suitability of items available through Government supply sources.

(4) Delivery factors such as cost and time.

(5) Recommendations of the contractor.

(b) Authorizations to subcontractors shall be issued through, and with the approval of, the

contractor.

(c) Upon deciding to authorize a contractor to use Government supply sources, the contracting

officer shall request, in writing, as applicable-

(1) A FEDSTRIP activity address code, through the agency’s central contact point for matters

involving activity address codes, from the General Services Administration (GSA) FXS Washington,

DC 20406;

(2) A MILSTRIP activity address code from the appropriate Department of Defense (DoD) service

point listed in Section 1 of the Introduction to the DoD Activity Address Directory;

(3) Approval for the contractor to use Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) supply sources from the

Executive Director, Office of Acquisition and Logistics (003A), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810

Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20420; or

(4) Approval from the appropriate agency for the contractor to use a Government supply source

other than those identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(3) of this section.

(d) Each request made under paragraph (c) of this section shall contain-

(1) The complete address(es) to which the contractor’s mail, freight, and billing documents are to be

directed;

(2) A copy of the contracting officer’s letter of authorization to the contractor;

(3) The prime contract number(s); and

(4) The effective date and duration of each contract.

(e) In each authorization to the contractor, the contracting officer-

(1) Shall cite the contract number(s) involved;

(2) Shall, when practicable, limit the period of the authorization;

(3) Shall specify, as appropriate, that-
(i) When requisitioning from GSA or DoD, the contractor shall use FEDSTRIP or MILSTRIP, as

appropriate, and include the activity address code assigned by GSA or DoD; and

(ii) When requisitioning from the VA, the contractor should use FEDSTRIP or MILSTRIP, as

appropriate, Optional Form 347, Order for Supplies or Services (see 53.302-347), or an agencyapproved form;

(4) May include any other limitations or conditions deemed necessary. For example, the contracting

officer may-

(i) Authorize purchases from Government supply sources of any overhead supplies, but no

production supplies;

(ii) Limit any authorization requirement to use Government sources to a specific dollar amount,

thereby leaving the contractor free to make smaller purchases from other sources if so desired;

(iii) Restrict the authorization to certain facilities or to specific contracts; or

(iv) Provide specifically if vesting of title is to differ from other property acquired or otherwise

furnished by the contractor for use under the contract; and

(5) Shall instruct the contractor to comply with the applicable policies and procedures prescribed in

this subpart.

(f) After issuing the authorization, the authorizing agency shall be responsible for-

(1) Ensuring that contractors comply with the terms of their authorizations and that supplies and

services obtained from Government supply sources are properly accounted for and properly used;

(2) Any indebtedness incurred for supplies or services and not satisfied by the contractor; and

(3) Submitting, in writing, to the appropriate Government sources, address changes of the

contractor and deletions when contracts are completed or terminated.

51.103 Ordering from Government supply sources.

(a) Contractors placing orders under Federal Supply Schedules shall follow the terms of the

applicable schedule and authorization and include with each order-

(1) A copy of the authorization (unless a copy was previously furnished to the Federal Supply

Schedule contractor); and

(2) The following statement: This order is placed under written authorization from ______ dated

______. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this order and those of

your Federal Supply Schedule contract, the latter will govern.

(b) Contractors placing orders for Government stock shall-

(1) Comply with the requirements of the contracting officer’s authorization, using FEDSTRIP or

MILSTRIP procedures, as appropriate;

(2) Use only the Government activity address code obtained by the contracting officer in accordance
with 51.102(e) along with the contractor’s assigned access code, when ordering from GSA Customer

Supply Centers.

(3) Order only those items required in the performance of their contracts.

51.104 Furnishing assistance to contractors.

After receiving an activity address code, the contracting officer will notify the appropriate GSA

regional office or military activity, which will contact the contractor and-

(a) Provide initial copies of ordering information and instructions; and

(b) When necessary, assist the contractor in preparing and submitting, as appropriate-

(1) The initial FEDSTRIP or MILSTRIP requisitions, the Optional Form 347, or the agency-approved

forms;

(2) A completed GSA Form 457, FSS Publications Mailing List Application, so that the contractor will

automatically receive current copies of required publications; or

(3) A completed GSA Form 3525, Application for Customer Supply Center Services and (Address

Change).

51.105 Payment for shipments.

GSA, DoD, and VA will not forward bills to contractors for supplies ordered from Government stock

until after the supplies have been shipped. Receipt of billing is sufficient evidence to establish

contractor liability and to provide a basis for payment. Contracting officers should direct their

contractors to make payment promptly upon receipt of billings.

51.106 Title.

(a) Titleto all property acquired by the contractor under the contracting officer’s authorization shall

vest in the parties as provided in the contract, unless specifically provided for otherwise.

(b) If contracts are with educational institutions and the Government Property clause at 52.245-1,

AlternateII, is used, title to property having a unit acquisition cost of less than $5,000 shall vest in

the contractor as provided in the clause. Agencies may provide higher thresholds, if appropriate.

51.107 Contract clause.

The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.251-1, Government Supply Sources, in

solicitations and contracts when the contracting officer authorizes the contractor to acquire supplies

or services from a Government supply source.