Although BPAs have been allowed for many years, this vehicle has become very popular with federal agencies and MAS contractors over the past year or so. A BPA is not a contract, but an agreement which establishes the terms and conditions under which agencies may place orders with contractors. A number of agencies are using BPAs based on GSA MAS contracts rather than going through the long process of soliciting and awarding IDIQ contracts for the same items. BPAs allow the parties to negotiate special terms and conditions, so long as they do not conflict with the terms of the MAS contract. Agencies also may and often do negotiate discounts above and beyond those available under the MAS program.
Agencies have a great deal of discretion when entering into BPAs.
Although contractors may protest an agency's decision to award a BPA, it may be difficult to prove that the agency abused its discretion. B. IT Services GSA began allowing IT contractors to offer IT services on their MAS contracts a little over a year ago. Many contractors now offer programming, systems support, and maintenance services on their MAS contracts. IT services on the GSA schedule are very popular. Outgoing OFPP administrator Steve Kelman recently observed that some agencies are going overboard, purchasing blocks of hours without preparing a statement of work or identifying performance specifications.