The Nation’s Combat Logistics Support Agency E s t a b l i s h e d 1 9 6 1

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Alternate Offer (AO) 

and Source Approval 

Request (SAR) 

Jamie Spangler, SAR Monitor 

J. Casey Carter, VE Analyst

April 6-7, 2022
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Purpose

• Increasing competition for items that require an approved 

manufacturer

• Going from single source, or small number of sources, to 

multiple sources of supply

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AO Defined

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• Alternate Offer (AO) – An “Alternate Offer” is submitted for 

evaluation against an active solicitation in order for a 

company and their product information to be reviewed, 

potentially qualifying them as an “Approved Source” on the 

current (and future) solicitations.
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SAR Defined

• Source Approval Request (SAR) – A Source Approval 

Request is a package of information provided by a 

prospective new supplier to become an approved source 

for procurement of an NSN. This package must contain 

all technical data needed to demonstrate competence to 

manufacture the NSN to the same, or better, level of 

quality than the current approved source(s).

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SAR Defined, cont’d

• The material must be currently procured on an “other than 

full and open competition” basis

- Source Controlled (AMSC B)

- Source Restricted (AMSC C)

- Code & Part Number (AMSC D)

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1/G 

Full and Open

Competition

*AMSC = Acquisition Method Suffix Code
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Package Considerations

• Acquisition Method Code (AMC) / Acquisition Method 

Suffix Code (AMSC)

• Category

– Category 1 – Same Part

– Category 2 – Similar Part

– Category 3 – New Part/Manufacturer

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Trouble deciding

appropriate category?

Just ask!
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Package Considerations

• Provide all required elements defined in the DLA Land 

and Maritime Alternate Offer & Source Approval 

Request (AO &SAR) Guidance

• Inclusion of the potential replacement product:

– Estimated unit price

– Quantity ranges (and if quantity influences price)

– Clear identification of the actual manufacturer 

(Company Name, CAGE Code, Point of Contact, 

Manufacturing Site, etc.)

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Technical Data

• Technical data must include:

– Legible and complete copies of all drawings (signed and 

approved), specifications or other data necessary to clearly 

describe the characteristics and features of the product offered 

– Cover design, materials, performance, function, 

interchangeability, inspection and/or testing criteria and other 

characteristics

– Required Certifications for Master Tooling, Technical Data 

Rights, etc.

– Value Added

– Reference DLAD Procurement Note L04 Offers for Part 

Numbered Items (SEP 2016)

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Submission

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• Format:

– Electronic copy via email, requested DoD Safe link, or CD

• Please note, the preferred submission format is via 

email. If your package is too large for email, a DoD Safe 

link will be provided at your request.

– Cover letters should clearly identify the package as an 

Alternate Offer or SAR, along with other info outlined in 

Land and Maritime guidance

– Submit only one .pdf file for each NSN. No ZIP files.

– Ensure NSN, CAGE Code and Company Name is labeled 

on CDs

– NO password protected files/CDs will be accepted

– Always retain copies. AO and SAR submissions will not 

be returned.
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AO/SAR Categories

• Category I – Same Part: A company may submit a 

Category I package if they make the exact part

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AO/SAR Categories, cont’d

• Category II - Similar Part: A company may submit a 

Category II package if they make a similar part and can 

prove they have the capability to make the exact part

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AO/SAR Categories, cont’d

• Category III - New Part/Manufacturer: This category 

covers items that do not meet Category I or II criteria, but 

the company may have capabilities to make the exact part 

and can fully demonstrate those capabilities

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Process Overview

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• Submission (with technical data) 

– Contracting Officer (KO) 

• AO must be submitted to the KO listed in all manual 

solicitations. The KO will forward for review

– SAR Monitor, Competition Advocate Office (CAO)

• AO for automated solicitation must be submitted to the CAO

• SAR must be submitted directly to the Alternate Offer 

Monitor, CAO for review and evaluation

• dsccao-sar@dla.mil

*NOTE: DLA Land and Maritime will also accept submission of a CD 

by mail at the following address:

DLA Land and Maritime, Alternate Offer Monitor (BPP), 

Directorate of Procurement Process Support, P.O. Box 3990, 

Columbus, OH 43218-3990 
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Process Overview

• Tracking/Administrative Review

– SAR Monitor will log in all submissions for tracking and 

notify contractor of receipt 

– SAR Monitor will perform the initial review to include 

projected cost savings, coordinating with the KO (if 

applicable) and Product Specialist (PS) as needed

– Packages that appear to meet minimum requirements are 

forwarded to Value Engineering (VE) for further review

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Who is tracking

my package?
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Evaluation Factors

• Package evaluation is based on some, or all, of the 

following factors:

– Cost savings to the Government

– Demand/Need of the warfighter

– Lead time

– Obsolescence with demands in next 2 years

– Sole source breakout

– Other(s)

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Process Overview

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• Value Engineering (VE) Review

– VE analyst assesses if package is complete/meets 

requirements

– Complete packages for Critical/Weapon System items are 

forwarded to applicable Engineering Support Activities 

(ESA) 

• Additional technical data may be required to support 

evaluation. If parts are required for ESA technical evaluation, 

these will be requested in writing by the Service. 

• A site inspection of facilities may be required to evaluate 

requests by the Government
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Process Overview

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• Value Engineering (VE) Review, cont’d

– Incomplete packages

• If potential for rework, contractor is contacted for additional 

information

• If information is not received or significant deficiencies exist, 

the package is rejected back to the SAR Monitor

*NOTE: Review process typically takes 90 to 180 days from 

the date the package is received by the Government
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Process Overview

• Notification

– Once a decision is made, the manufacturer will receive a 

formal notification from the SAR/Alternate Offer Monitor 

– If the AO/SAR package is approved, the manufacturer will 

receive written authorization to participate as an Approved 

Source for the specific NSN in future procurements

– If the AO/SAR package is rejected, the SAR monitor will 

provide reasons, and will answer any questions

*NOTE: Becoming an Approved Source only grants the 

opportunity to compete to supply the item - it does not 

guarantee future contracts or orders

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1

st Year as Source Approved

• While awards are NOT guaranteed:

– The Government reserves the right to make multiple 

awards if, after considering the additional administrative 

costs, it is in the Government’s best interest to do so

– If awards will be made to more than one source, the offer 

that represents the best value to the Government shall 

receive not less than 60% of the total requirement

– Unless an offeror submits unit prices for other quantities, 

unit prices submitted for the total requirement will apply to 

any partial awards

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Take Note

• Award of Solicitations will not be delayed due to pending 

AO/SAR package evaluations. The only exception will be 

for non- critical/weapon system items when mission 

requirements allow and there are no qualified sources 

quoting. 

• The AO/SAR program allows for submission at any time, 

whether an open solicitation has been published for the 

subject NSN, or not

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Resources

• AO/SAR submission dsccao-sar@dla.mil

• Technical Issues ve.sar@dla.mil

(Engineering/Analysts)

• RPPOB DSCC.PartRequest@dla.mil

• Land and Maritime SMBIZLandCOLS@dla.mil

Small Business Office

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Where can I

get help?
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