However, Sailors have the ability to special order almost any item a Navy Exchange carries. The Ship's Supply Officer or an appointed Ship Stores Officer supervises and initiates the purchasing for the ships store based on the crew's needs and inventory limitations using the Ship Stores Afloat Catalogs, Contract Bulletins or by initiating a special purchase order. Ship Stores Officers issue purchase orders for items listed in the SSAC directly to the vendor or manufacturer. Sole source contracts list popular name brand basic and semi-luxury items with a proven history of quality, value and high sales volume. Competitive bid contracts list basic, necessity type items where brand name awareness is not a factor.
All awards are for fixed prices and indefinite quantity and delivery.
When a ship is in an area where a contract is in effect, the ship may place orders directly with that supplier for items under contract. In order to have items listed, the Ship Stores Program requires suppliers to submit a letter from the manufacturer stating that the supplier is the appointed representative for the product submitted. In addition, each vendor must submit the manufacturer's published price list, minimum order requirements, terms and delivery schedules. If the quality and value analysis determines the product to be acceptable, and if the product is appropriate for ship stores, the director of the Ship Store Program will approve the item for sale to ship stores. The item may be added to a vendor's existing SSAC listing or Contract Bulletin, added as a SSAC listing for a one year probation period or identified as an item requiring special ordering procedures.