Patent Publication Number: US-2023153732-A1

Title: Acquisition Planning System

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/313,527 filed Feb. 24, 2022 entitled “Acquisition Planning System” by the same inventors. The present application also claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/589,481 filed Jan. 31, 2022 which claimed the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/144,363 filed Feb. 1, 2021 both by the same inventors and both entitled “Contract Management System.” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/589,481 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/144,363 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/313,527 are all hereby incorporated by reference as if repeated herein in their entirety, including the drawings. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates generally to methods and apparatuses for automating business processes, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for automating a business process, such as management of a United States Federal Government procurement contract. 
     In today&#39;s world, the United States government relies heavily on contracts and is by far one of the single largest sources of the procurement of products and services in the United States. In 2020, the federal government spent $681 billion on contracts for products and services which represents the most the government has spent in contracts since fiscal 2010, according to an analysis from Bloomberg Government. 
     Despite the efforts of Congress and the executive branch to reduce costs and improve the quality of federal acquisitions, many problems still remain. According to the Federal Times, a report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) GAO-18-627 Report on Federal Acquisitions dated Sep. 12, 2018, states that there are three main areas of improvement that can be made in the federal acquisitions sector: (1) requirements definition, (2) competition and pricing, and (3) contractor oversight. 
     While the current technology landscape is riddled with solutions that focus on the competition and pricing portion via more traditional contract life cycle management (CLM) software solutions such as Unison Prism, CACI Comprizon Suite, and Oracle&#39;s CLM for the Public Sector, there is little to no competition in the government sector for either the requirements definition or contractor oversight areas of improvement noted by GAO. 
     The present invention is therefore directed to the problem of developing an automated system for managing government contracts that improves the requirements definition and acquisition planning segment of the government procurement cycle. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention solves these and other problems by providing a computer software program, Facilitated Intelligent Needs Development™ (FIND™) that provides process automation for the first phase of the Federal Acquisition Life Cycle that included requirements development, market research, acquisition planning, and preparing the procurement request package. Federal employees in the role of a requirements owner are responsible for articulating their related mission objectives. develop their needs statement and requirements, research the market, hold exchanges with industry, consider the use of small business, estimate the cost, plan the acquisition, draft the evaluation criteria, and assemble the procurement request package for submission to the Contracting Officer. The FIND program maintains everything relating to the upcoming procurement in one place with activities, notifications, intelligent process automation based on user response, workflow based on agency thresholds for delegation of authority, collaborative platform, document repository, ask-the-expert, educational videos and templates. The present invention facilitates and guides the requirements owner through the development of the requirements through to the creation of the procurement request package. The present invention also provides decision support and progress tracking for agency leadership through the dashboard, reports, and portfolio view of upcoming procurements. 
     FIND is strategically aligned and complements the existing government landscape of contract writing systems providers. The present invention provides an acquisition planning (requirement definition, market research, acquisition planning and procurement request package) solution that would interface with the phase  2  contract wring systems. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus for performing acquisition planning in preparation for procurement and award of a contract, including a U.S. government contract, includes several elements. In this exemplary embodiment, an on-premises network is designed to be coupled to an external network, and the on-premises network includes a first collaborative server having a front end application server, a first email server and a first database server, said front-end server coupled to the email server and the first database server. The exemplary embodiment also includes an off-premises network designed to be coupled via said external network to the on-premises network. The off-premises network includes a second collaborative server having a web server, a second email server and a second database server, said web server coupled to the second email server, and the second database server. In the exemplary embodiment, the front end application server includes a non-transitive computer readable media having encoded thereon instructions causing the front end application server to provide a facilitated intelligent needs development application. The facilitated intelligent needs development application includes a graphical user interface through which a user, such as a requirements owner, can manage a plurality of aspects of a government contract throughout a life cycle of a government contract, including pre-award acquisition planning to develop requirements, perform market research, develop acquisition plan, and assemble and submit procurement request package to the contracting organization. 
     In this exemplary embodiment, the facilitated intelligent needs development application may also: enable a plurality of users to manage a plurality of government acquisition needs and procurement requests, wherein said plurality of users includes requirements owners, program managers, contracting officers, contracting officer&#39;s representatives, supervisory personnel of said contracting officers and said program managers, security officers, technical representatives, and accountants; and enable supervisory personnel to review requirements, market research, acquisition plans, and procurement request packages of a plurality of government procurement requirements being managed by a plurality of other users. 
     In this exemplary embodiment, the facilitated intelligent needs development application may also include an early warning system identifying one or more procurement requests at risk of delayed awards, loss of government funds, poorly developed requirements and poorly plan procurements. 
     In this exemplary embodiment, the facilitated intelligent needs development application may also include an automation process for market research that guides a user through a market research process that prompts the user with questions to shape steps necessary to plan, execute and analyze the market and adequately plan the acquisition in accordance with U.S. government federal acquisition regulations. 
     In this exemplary embodiment, the facilitated intelligent needs development application may also include a plurality of video tutorials and templates that are linked to one or more of a plurality of specific activities, whereby a user can select any of said plurality of video tutorials and templates to help guide the user when performing one of said plurality of specific activities. 
     In this exemplary embodiment, the facilitated intelligent needs development application may also provide a plurality of different user roles and allows each of said different user roles to search, filter and access files through multiple ways, including by lists of projects, activities, repositories and reports. 
     In this exemplary embodiment, the facilitated intelligent needs development application may also provide an ask the experts capability to enable users to ask acquisition-related questions to which said facilitated intelligent needs development application provides ad-hoc responses to new questions that have not been posed by any user or answered previously, as well as pre-programmed responses to questions previously posed or answered. 
     In this exemplary embodiment, the facilitated intelligent needs development application may also employ a hierarchical data structure starting with a plurality of projects, such as future procurements, each of which employs a plurality of activities, which in turn employs a plurality of action items for each activity, and a plurality of notifications related to one activity or one action item. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, an exemplary embodiment of a non-transitive computer readable media has encoded thereon a plurality of instructions causing a processor to provide a facilitated intelligent needs development application. The facilitated intelligent needs development application includes a graphical user interface through which a user, such as a requirements owner, can manage a plurality of aspects of a government project throughout a life cycle of a government procurement, including requirements development, market research, acquisition planning, and procurement request submission to contracting office. The facilitated intelligent needs development application: (i) enables a plurality of users to manage a plurality of government projects/procurement requests, wherein said plurality of users includes requirements owners, program managers, contracting officers, contracting officer&#39;s representatives, supervisory personnel of said contracting officers and said program managers, security officers, technical representatives, and accountants; (ii) enables one or more supervisory personnel to review quality and schedule planned of a plurality of government procurement requests being managed by a plurality of other users; (iii) includes an early warning system identifying one or more procurement requests at risk of delayed awards, loss of government funds, poorly developed requirements and poorly plan procurements; (iv) includes a plurality of video tutorials and templates that are linked to one or more specific activities whereby a user can select any of said plurality of video tutorials and templates to help guide the user when performing one of said one or more specific activities; (v) provides a plurality of different user roles and allows each of said different user roles to search, filter and access files through multiple ways, including by lists of projects, activities, repositories and reports; and (vi) provides an ask the experts capability an ask the experts capability to enable users to ask acquisition-related questions to which said facilitated intelligent needs development application provides ad-hoc responses to new questions that have not been posed by any user or answered previously, as well as pre-programmed responses to questions previously posed or answered. 
     According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an exemplary embodiment of a method for planning a government procurement request using an intelligent process embedded in a facilitated intelligent needs development application for execution on a server includes the steps of: (i) providing a graphical user interface through which a user, such as a requirements owner, can manage a plurality of aspects of a government procurement requests throughout a life cycle of a government procurement, including requirements development, market research, acquisition planning and procurement request submission to the contracting office; (ii) providing access to the facilitated intelligent needs development application by predetermined user roles for a plurality of users to manage a plurality of government procurements, wherein said plurality of users includes one or more of the following: requirements owner, program manager, contracting officers, contracting officer&#39;s representatives, supervisory personnel of said contracting officers and said program managers, security officers, technical representatives, and accountants; (iii) providing access to the facilitated intelligent needs development application to one or more supervisory personnel to enable said one or more supervisory personnel to review the planning and analysis of a plurality of government procurement requests being managed by a plurality of other users; (iv) identifying automatically by an early warning system one or more projects at risk of delayed awards, loss of government funds, poorly developed requirements and poorly plan procurements; (v) automating a process for performing market research that guides a user through a market research methods and consideration process that prompts the user with questions to shape steps necessary to complete the market analysis; (vi) providing one or more video tutorials and templates that are linked to one or more specific activities, whereby a user can select any of the one or more video tutorials and templates to help guide the user when performing one of said one or more specific activities; (vii) providing a plurality of different user roles and allowing each of said different user roles to search, filter and access files through multiple ways, including by lists of projects, activities, repositories and reports; and (viii) providing an ask the experts capability to enable users to ask acquisition-related questions to which said facilitated intelligent needs development application provides ad-hoc responses to new questions that have not been posed by any user or answered previously, as well as pre-programmed responses to questions previously posed or answered. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
         FIG.  1    depicts a hardware architecture of an exemplary embodiment of a system for acquisition planning according to one aspect of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    depicts a relationship of entities for the software of an exemplary embodiment of according to another aspect of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  3 A-B ,  4 A-B,  5 A-B,  6 A-B,  7 A-B,  8 A-B,  9 A-B,  10 A-B,  11 ,  12 A-C,  13 - 21 ,  22 A-B and  23  depict various screen shots of a system for acquisition planning from requirement definition through creation of procurement requisition package, such as projects according to yet another aspect of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  24 - 27    depict the process for managing the federal acquisition life cycle that this invention supports. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention is designed to provide government acquisition professionals an easy, intuitive, and effective state-of-the art means by which to plan acquisitions from requirement development through procurement requisition package submission. In addition, the present invention allows junior government acquisition professionals an opportunity to benefit from the knowledge and experience of more senior and tenured government acquisition professionals via in app workflows, process automation, templates, video tutorials, best practices, ask an expert, and a robust acquisition planning repository. Moreover, the present invention reduces the number of failed government contracts due to poor requirement development, the number of excess monies spent on poorly developed procurements that end in sustained protests or delayed awards, and identifies and increases overall efficiencies that pertain to the purchase of goods and/or services for the United States government. 
     In agile software development, software is designed based on user stories that communicate the role, the need, and the context for the need. The user stories are then used as the basis for design, development, and testing. The following user stories are employed to create the screen shots and processes of the present invention. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Work Category 
                 Title 
                 User Story 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Navigation 
                 Navigate 
                 As a system user when I login to the system, I 
               
               
                   
                 Work 
                 want to be able to see the following list of work 
               
               
                   
                 Categories 
                 category items visible from all pages within the 
               
               
                   
                 menu 
                 app: 
               
               
                   
                   
                 1. Requirements Development 
               
               
                   
                   
                 2. Market Research 
               
               
                   
                   
                 3. Acquisition Planning 
               
               
                   
                   
                 4. Procurement Request Package 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that I can easily access all deliverables and/ 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Or functionality related to each work category. 
               
               
                 Navigation 
                 Add left pane 
                 As a system user when I login to the system, I 
               
               
                   
                 menu 
                 want to be able to see the following list of top- 
               
               
                   
                   
                 level menu items visible from all pages within the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 app: 
               
               
                   
                   
                 1. Dashboard 
               
               
                   
                   
                 2. Projects 
               
               
                   
                   
                 3. Activities 
               
               
                   
                   
                 4. Repository 
               
               
                   
                   
                 5. Reports 
               
               
                   
                   
                 6. Support 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that I can easily access all work and/or 
               
               
                   
                   
                 functionality related to each menu item. 
               
               
                 Planning 
                 Display 
                 As a Requirements Owner (RO) with limited 
               
               
                 Overview 
                 Acquisition 
                 experience in acquisition planning, I want to be 
               
               
                   
                 Planning 
                 able to read definition of acquisition planning, 
               
               
                   
                 Overview 
                 access templates for acquisition planning, and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 view video tutorials on subjects related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 acquisition planning. 
               
               
                 Requirements 
                 Display 
                 As a RO when I login to the system and click on 
               
               
                 Development 
                 Requirements 
                 the Requirements Development work category, I 
               
               
                   
                 Development 
                 am taken to the Requirement Development home 
               
               
                   
                 page 
                 page which includes the following items: 
               
               
                   
                   
                 1. Requirements Definition and Acquisition 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Needs Statement 
               
               
                   
                   
                 2. Cost Estimate 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 3. Evaluation Criteria and Planning 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that I can easily create these activities, access 
               
               
                   
                   
                 templates, and video tutorials related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 requirements development from one location. 
               
               
                 Market Research 
                 Display 
                 As a RO when I login to the system and click on 
               
               
                   
                 Market 
                 the Market Research work category, I am taken to 
               
               
                   
                 Research page 
                 the Market Research home page which includes 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the following items: 
               
               
                   
                   
                 1. Plan Market Research 
               
               
                   
                   
                 2. Conduct Market Research 
               
               
                   
                   
                 3. Market Research Engagements 
               
               
                   
                   
                 4. Pre-Solicitation Conference 
               
               
                   
                   
                 5. Request for Information (RFI)/Sources 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Sought 
               
               
                   
                   
                 6. Draft Solicitation 
               
               
                   
                   
                 7. Analyze MR Findings 
               
               
                   
                   
                 8. Prepare Market Research Report 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that I can easily create these activities, access 
               
               
                   
                   
                 templates, and video tutorials related to Market 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Research from one location. 
               
               
                 Acquisition Plan 
                 Display 
                 As a RO when I login to the system and click on 
               
               
                   
                 Acquisition 
                 the Acquisition Plan work category, I am taken to 
               
               
                   
                 Plan page 
                 the contract modifications page which includes the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 following items: 
               
               
                   
                   
                 1. Establish Team 
               
               
                   
                   
                 2. Initial Draft Acquisition Plan 
               
               
                   
                   
                 3. Source Limitation Justification 
               
               
                   
                   
                 4. SBA Offering Letter 
               
               
                   
                   
                 5. Obtain Acquisition Plan Approval 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that I can easily create these activities, access 
               
               
                   
                   
                 templates, and video tutorials related to 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Acquisition Plan from one location. 
               
               
                 Procurement 
                 Display 
                 As a RO when I login to the system and click the 
               
               
                 Request Package 
                 Procurement 
                 Procurement Request Package work category, I am 
               
               
                   
                 Request 
                 able to perform the following: 
               
               
                   
                 Package page 
                 1. Supporting Documents 
               
               
                   
                   
                 2. Assemble Procurement Request (PR)/Initial 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Funding Document 
               
               
                   
                   
                 3. PR to Contracts 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that I can easily create these activities, access 
               
               
                   
                   
                 templates, and video tutorials related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Procurement Request Package from one location. 
               
               
                 Tutorials 
                 Display 
                 As a system user when I login to the system and 
               
               
                   
                 Tutorials page 
                 click the Tutorials menu item, I am taken to the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Tutorials home page which includes: 
               
               
                   
                   
                 1. A list of all existing video tutorials in the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 system sorted by title 
               
               
                   
                   
                 2. Ability to filter by work category 
               
               
                   
                   
                 3. Options to view and download tutorials 
               
               
                   
                   
                 4. A search bar which allows me to search 
               
               
                   
                   
                 for tutorials 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that I can easily access tutorials from one 
               
               
                   
                   
                 location. 
               
               
                 Templates 
                 Display 
                 As a system user when I login to the system and 
               
               
                   
                 Templates 
                 click the Templates menu item, I am taken to the 
               
               
                   
                 page 
                 Template home page which includes: 
               
               
                   
                   
                 1. A list of all existing templates in the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 system 
               
               
                   
                   
                 2. Ability to filter by work category 
               
               
                   
                   
                 3. Options to view and download templates 
               
               
                   
                   
                 4. A search bar which allows me to search 
               
               
                   
                   
                 for templates 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that I can easily access templates from one 
               
               
                   
                   
                 location. 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Document 
                 Display 
                 As a system user when I login to the system and 
               
               
                 Collaboration 
                 Document 
                 click the Document Collaboration menu item, I am 
               
               
                   
                 Collaboration 
                 taken to the Document Collaboration page which 
               
               
                   
                 page 
                 includes: 
               
               
                   
                   
                 5. A list of all my existing documents in the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 system 
               
               
                   
                   
                 6. Ability to sort by name, document type, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 date last modified, user who last modified 
               
               
                   
                   
                 7. Options to edit, view, share, download, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 and delete documents 
               
               
                   
                   
                 8. Ability to attach files to my existing 
               
               
                   
                   
                 projects or activities 
               
               
                   
                   
                 9. A search bar which allows me to search 
               
               
                   
                   
                 for documents that I have access to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that I can easily access documents from one 
               
               
                   
                   
                 location and collaborate with my team members 
               
               
                   
                   
                 on documents. 
               
               
                 Dashboard 
                 Add 
                 As an acquisition professional (RO, CO, CS, COR, 
               
               
                   
                 Dashboard 
                 PM, Program Director, Procurement Executive or 
               
               
                   
                 views 
                 other role) when I login to the system and/or click 
               
               
                   
                   
                 on the Dashboard option in the left pane or the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 FIND logo at the top left of any page, I am taken 
               
               
                   
                   
                 to a dashboard page which includes the below 
               
               
                   
                   
                 metrics and/or key performance indicators: 
               
               
                   
                   
                 1. Average Time to Completion 
               
               
                   
                   
                 2. # of Active Projects 
               
               
                   
                   
                 3. Total Dollar Amount for Active Projects 
               
               
                   
                   
                 4. # of Projects with Expiring Funds 
               
               
                   
                   
                 5. Budget Progress for the funding status of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 committed, reserved, budgeted, unfunded 
               
               
                   
                   
                 6. Activity Status Board that shows my activities 
               
               
                   
                   
                 and action items based on status: to-do, in- 
               
               
                   
                   
                 progress, manager-review or complete 
               
               
                   
                   
                 7. Approval status 
               
               
                   
                   
                 8. Projects by work category 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 9. Average time to completion for the work 
               
               
                   
                   
                 categories 
               
               
                   
                   
                 10. Project listing 
               
               
                   
                   
                 11. Workload Tracking by Project POC 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that I can know at a glance which issues need 
               
               
                   
                   
                 my immediate attention. 
               
               
                 Projects 
                 Display 
                 As an acquisitions professional (RO, CO, CS, 
               
               
                   
                 Projects page 
                 COR, PM, Program Director, Procurement 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Executive or other role) when I login to the system 
               
               
                   
                   
                 and click the Projects menu item, I am taken to the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 project home page which includes: 
               
               
                   
                   
                 1. a list of all existing projects, project identifier, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 project title, Point of Contact (POC), estimated 
               
               
                   
                   
                 value, creation date, requested award date, and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 status for each project in the system prioritized 
               
               
                   
                   
                 by Request Award Date with the ability to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 filter by My Projects, My Teams Projects, or 
               
               
                   
                   
                 all Projects under my supervision 
               
               
                   
                   
                 2. options to create, view, edit, and delete 
               
               
                   
                   
                 projects 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that I can easily access project information and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 manage project activities based on my role. 
               
               
                 Projects 
                 Create a 
                 As a RO after clicking the Project button on the 
               
               
                   
                 project 
                 left menu pane or clicking on the create project 
               
               
                   
                   
                 button on the proj ect home page, I want to enter 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the critical Project information that should be 
               
               
                   
                   
                 shared among all acquisition team members: 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Project Title* 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Project Identifier* 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Recommended Contract Type 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Work Category Status* 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Creation Date (assigned by system but editable)* 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Requested Award Date* 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 PR to Contracts Date 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Estimated Value* 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Funding Status* 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Program Office* 
               
               
                   
                   
                 POC* 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Sponsor 
               
               
                   
                   
                 NAICS Code and Description 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Product Service Code (PSC) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Description 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Identification of the Acquisition Team 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Requirements Owner* 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Contracting Officer* 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Contracting Officer’s Representative 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Program/Project Manager 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Contract Specialist 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Assigned Support Contractor 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Additional teammates 
               
               
                   
                   
                 *Indicates required fields so project can be saved 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that I can track and monitor all of the important 
               
               
                   
                   
                 information related to the creation and submission 
               
               
                   
                   
                 of my procurement request project. 
               
               
                 Activity 
                 Display 
                 As a RO when I login to the system and click the 
               
               
                   
                 Activities page 
                 Activities menu item, I am taken to the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 home page which includes: 
               
               
                   
                   
                 1. a list of all existing activities in the system 
               
               
                   
                   
                 sorted by project and filterable by My 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Projects, My Teams Projects, or all Projects 
               
               
                   
                   
                 under my supervision 
               
               
                   
                   
                 2. options to create, view, edit, and delete 
               
               
                   
                   
                 activities 
               
               
                   
                   
                 3. helpful links 
               
               
                   
                   
                 4. activity video tutorials 
               
               
                   
                   
                 5. activity document templates 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that I can easily access activity information and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 manage all of my activities from one location. 
               
               
                 Activity 
                 Create an 
                 As a RO after clicking the create activity button on 
               
               
                   
                 Activity 
                 the Activity home page, I am able to enter the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 below information while creating an Activity: 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Project Title* 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Project Identifier* 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Activity Title* 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Activity Type (dropdown list by work 
               
               
                   
                   
                 category that then shows activities within the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 work category) * 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Work Status Category* 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Priority* 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Assign To 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Status 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Track Completion and Configure 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Notifications (Optional) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 if Scheduled Date or Actual Receipt Date are 
               
               
                   
                   
                 filled in, select Schedule Notification to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 setup notification to the project team 
               
               
                   
                   
                 members 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Attachment files to the activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Create Action Items for the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that I can track and monitor all of the important 
               
               
                   
                   
                 activities related to the creation and submission of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 my procurement request package (project). 
               
               
                 Activity 
                 Activity Types 
                 As a RO, when creating an activity, I want to be 
               
               
                   
                   
                 able to choose from the below types of Activities 
               
               
                   
                   
                 within the four Work Categories: 
               
               
                   
                   
                 1. Requirements Development 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Acquisition Needs Statement 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Cost Estimate 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Eval Criteria/Plan 
               
               
                   
                   
                 2. Market Research work category 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Plan Market Research 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Conduct Market Research 
               
               
                   
                   
                 MR Engagements 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Pre-solicitation Conference 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 RFI/Sources Sought 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Draft Request for Quote/Request for 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Proposal (RFX) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Analyze MR Findings 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Prepare Market Research Report 
               
               
                   
                   
                 3. Develop Acquisition Plan work category 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Planning Team 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Initial Draft Acquisition Plan 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Source Limitation Justification 
               
               
                   
                   
                 SB A Offering Letter 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Obtain Acquisition Plan Approval 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Establish Team 
               
               
                   
                   
                 4. Procurement Request Package 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Additional Supporting Documents 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Assemble PR/Initial Funding Document 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Process PR to Contracts 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that I can track and monitor all of the important 
               
               
                   
                   
                 activities related to the creation and submission of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 my procurement request package (project). 
               
               
                 Requirements 
                 Acquisition 
                 As a RO when I create, edit or update the 
               
               
                 Development 
                 Needs 
                 Acquisition Needs Statement activity, I want the 
               
               
                   
                 Statement 
                 system to: 
               
               
                   
                 Activity 
                 Guide me through the Steps Necessary to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Complete the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Suggest Work Products: Supporting 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Documentation 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Determine the Next Activity required 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to Track Completion and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Configure Notifications for the acquisition 
               
               
                   
                   
                 team 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to attach documents related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to create Action Items related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Provide links to Resources related to this 
               
               
                   
                   
                 activity to include Helpful Links, Video 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Tutorials, Document Templates 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that my Acquisition Needs Statement activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 includes all the required information for the 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Acquisition Team to perform market research and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 plan acquisition as well as required information for 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Contracting Officer’s execution of the eventual 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Procurement Request Package. I want the system 
               
               
                   
                   
                 to facilitate development of the Acquisition Needs 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Statement in an agile method that allows high 
               
               
                   
                   
                 amount of collaboration based on the intended 
               
               
                   
                   
                 objectives and enables prioritization of the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 acquisition needs so the Requirements 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Development process results in high quality 
               
               
                   
                   
                 expression of the Government’s needs. I want the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 system to facilitate the Requirements Development 
               
               
                   
                   
                 process to make it so simple and organized that 
               
               
                   
                   
                 ROs are not tempted to just cut and paste from the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 last, outdated procurement. 
               
               
                 Requirements 
                 Cost Estimate 
                 As a RO when I create, edit or update the Cost 
               
               
                 Development 
                 Activity 
                 Estimate activity, I want the system to: 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Guide me through the Steps Necessary to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Complete the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Suggest Work Products: Supporting 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Documentation 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Determine the Next Activity required 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to Track Completion and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Configure Notifications for the acquisition 
               
               
                   
                   
                 team 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to attach documents related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to create Action Items related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Provide links to Resources related to this 
               
               
                   
                   
                 activity to include Helpful Links, Video 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Tutorials, Document Templates 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that my Cost Estimate activity includes all the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 required information for the Acquisition Team to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 plan acquisition as well as required information for 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Contracting Officer’s execution of the eventual 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Procurement Request Package. I want the system 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 to facilitate development of the Cost Estimate so 
               
               
                   
                   
                 that it is accurate with the current market 
               
               
                   
                   
                 conditions and allows collaboration based on the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 intended objectives and prioritization of the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 acquisition needs so the Requirements 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Development process results in realistic cost 
               
               
                   
                   
                 estimate for the Government’s needs. I want the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 system to facilitate the Cost Estimate process so 
               
               
                   
                   
                 that I request the appropriate amount of funding to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 allow eventual award of the contract. 
               
               
                 Requirements 
                 Evaluation 
                 As a RO when I create, edit or update the 
               
               
                 Development 
                 Criteria and 
                 Evaluation Criteria and Plan activity, I want the 
               
               
                   
                 Plan Activity 
                 system to: 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Guide me through the Steps Necessary to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Complete the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Suggest Work Products: Supporting 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Documentation 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Determine the Next Activity required 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to Track Completion and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Configure Notifications for the acquisition 
               
               
                   
                   
                 team 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to attach documents related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to create Action Items related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Provide links to Resources related to this 
               
               
                   
                   
                 activity to include Helpful Links, Video 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Tutorials, Document Templates 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that my Evaluation Criteria and Plan activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 includes all the required information for the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Acquisition Team to plan the acquisition as well as 
               
               
                   
                   
                 required information for Contracting Officer’s 
               
               
                   
                   
                 execution of the eventual Procurement Request 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Package. I want the system to facilitate 
               
               
                   
                   
                 development of the Evaluation Criteria and Plan in 
               
               
                   
                   
                 an agile method that allows high amount of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 collaboration based on the intended objectives and 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 enables prioritization of the evaluation criteria, so 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Evaluation of the proposals allows the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Government to differentiate those proposals most 
               
               
                   
                   
                 likely to meet and exceed the Government’s 
               
               
                   
                   
                 objectives and acquisition needs at a reasonable 
               
               
                   
                   
                 cost. I want the system to facilitate the Evaluation 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Criteria and Planning process to ensure that the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Government requests information in the proposals 
               
               
                   
                   
                 that is useful in the evaluation and distinguishes 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the best value for the Government. 
               
               
                 Market Research  
                 Plan Market 
                 As a RO when I create, edit or update the Plan 
               
               
                   
                 Research 
                 Market Research activity, I want the system to: 
               
               
                   
                 Activity 
                 Guide me through the Steps Necessary to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Complete the Activity factoring in 
               
               
                   
                   
                 consideration of FAR 8 Required Sources 
               
               
                   
                   
                 and the need for a written Market Research 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Plan if complex planning 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Suggest Work Products 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Determine the Next Activity required 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to Track Completion and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Configure Notifications for the acquisition 
               
               
                   
                   
                 team 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to attach documents related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to create Action Items related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Provide links to Resources related to this 
               
               
                   
                   
                 activity to include Helpful Links, Video 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Tutorials, Document Templates 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that my Plan Market Research activity includes 
               
               
                   
                   
                 all the required information for the Acquisition 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Team to perform market research and plan 
               
               
                   
                   
                 acquisition as well as required information for 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Contracting Officer’s execution of the eventual 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Procurement Request Package. 
               
               
                 Market Research  
                 Conduct 
                 As a RO when I create, edit or update the Conduct 
               
               
                   
                 Market 
                 Market Research activity, I want the system to: 
               
               
                   
                 Research 
                 Guide me through the Steps Necessary to 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Activity 
                 Complete the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Facilitate the capture of the Market 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Research Findings 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Suggest Work Products 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Determine the Next Activity required 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to Track Completion and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Configure Notifications for the acquisition 
               
               
                   
                   
                 team 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to attach documents related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to create Action Items related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Provide links to Resources related to this 
               
               
                   
                   
                 activity to include Helpful Links, Video 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Tutorials, Document Templates 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that my Conduct Market Research activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 includes all the required information for the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Acquisition Team to plan acquisition as well as 
               
               
                   
                   
                 required information for Contracting Officer’s 
               
               
                   
                   
                 execution of the eventual Procurement Request 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Package. I want the system to facilitate the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Conduct Market Research process to make users 
               
               
                   
                   
                 aware of various methods to research the market 
               
               
                   
                   
                 that will inform the acquisition strategy of current 
               
               
                   
                   
                 market conditions and solutions as well as improve 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Procurement Request Package submitted to the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Contracting Officer procurement. 
               
               
                 Market Research 
                 Market 
                 As a RO when I create, edit or update the Market 
               
               
                   
                 Research 
                 Research (MR) Engagements activity, I want the 
               
               
                   
                 Engagements 
                 system to: 
               
               
                   
                 Activity 
                 Facilitate the capture of the MR 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Engagement activities and findings 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to Track Completion and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Configure Notifications for the acquisition 
               
               
                   
                   
                 team 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to attach documents related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to create Action Items related to 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Provide links to Resources related to this 
               
               
                   
                   
                 activity to include Helpful Links, Video 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Tutorials, Document Templates 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that my MR Engagements Activity area 
               
               
                   
                   
                 consolidated for easy incorporation into the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 subsequent Market Research Report. 
               
               
                 Market Research 
                 Pre-solicitation 
                 As a RO when I create, edit or update the Pre- 
               
               
                   
                 Conference 
                 solicitation Conference activity, I want the system 
               
               
                   
                 Activity 
                 to: 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Facilitate the planning and capture of the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Pre-solicitation Conference event 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to Track Completion and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Configure Notifications for the acquisition 
               
               
                   
                   
                 team 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to attach documents related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to create Action Items related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Provide links to Resources related to this 
               
               
                   
                   
                 activity to include Helpful Links, Video 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Tutorials, Document Templates 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that my Pre-solicitation Conference are 
               
               
                   
                   
                 consolidated and easily incorporated into the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 subsequent Market Research Report. 
               
               
                 Market Research 
                 Request for 
                 As a RO when I create, edit or update the Request 
               
               
                   
                 Information/ 
                 for Information (RFI)/Sources Sought activity, I 
               
               
                   
                 Sources 
                 want the system to: 
               
               
                   
                 Sought 
                 Facilitate the capture of the RFI/Sources 
               
               
                   
                 Activity 
                 Sought responses 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to Track Completion and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Configure Notifications for the acquisition 
               
               
                   
                   
                 team 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to attach documents related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to create Action Items related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Provide links to Resources related to this 
               
               
                   
                   
                 activity to include Helpful Links, Video 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Tutorials, Document Templates 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that my RFI/Sources Sought responses are 
               
               
                   
                   
                 consolidated and easily incorporated into the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 subsequent Market Research Report. I want to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 tutorials to help me understand when I should use 
               
               
                   
                   
                 a broader RFI versus a sources sought. 
               
               
                 Market Research 
                 Draft Request 
                 As a RO when I create, edit or update the Draft 
               
               
                   
                 for 
                 Request for Quote/Request for Proposal (RFX) 
               
               
                   
                 Quote/Request 
                 activity, I want the system to: 
               
               
                   
                 for Proposal 
                 Facilitate the planning for and capture of 
               
               
                   
                 (RFX) 
                 the Draft Request for Quote/Request for 
               
               
                   
                 Activity 
                 Proposal (RFX) responses 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to Track Completion and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Configure Notifications for the acquisition 
               
               
                   
                   
                 team 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to attach documents related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to create Action Items related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Provide links to Resources related to this 
               
               
                   
                   
                 activity to include Helpful Links, Video 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Tutorials, Document Templates 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that my Draft Request for Quote/Request for 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Proposal (RFX) responses are consolidated and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 easily incorporated into the subsequent Market 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Research Report and inform our acquisition 
               
               
                   
                   
                 strategy. 
               
               
                 Market Research 
                 Analyze 
                 As a RO when I create, edit or update the Analyze 
               
               
                   
                 Market 
                 Market Research (MR) Findings activity, I want 
               
               
                   
                 Research 
                 the system to: 
               
               
                   
                 Findings 
                 Facilitate the Analysis of MR Findings 
               
               
                   
                 Activity 
                 Allow me to Track Completion and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Configure Notifications for the acquisition 
               
               
                   
                   
                 team 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to attach documents related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to create Action Items related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Provide links to Resources related to this 
               
               
                   
                   
                 activity to include Helpful Links, Video 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Tutorials, Document Templates 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that my MR Analysis Activity is consolidated 
               
               
                   
                   
                 for easy incorporation into the subsequent Market 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Research Report and inform our acquisition 
               
               
                   
                   
                 strategy. 
               
               
                 Market Research 
                 Prepare 
                 As a RO when I create, edit or update the Prepare 
               
               
                   
                 Market 
                 Market Research Report (MRR) activity, I want 
               
               
                   
                 Research 
                 the system to: 
               
               
                   
                 Report 
                 Guide me through the Steps Necessary to 
               
               
                   
                 Activity 
                 Complete the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Suggest Work Products 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to Track Completion and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Configure Notifications for the acquisition 
               
               
                   
                   
                 team 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to attach documents related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to submit and track the attached 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Market Research Report to my manager for 
               
               
                   
                   
                 approval 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to create Action Items related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Provide links to Resources related to this 
               
               
                   
                   
                 activity to include Helpful Links, Video 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Tutorials, Document Templates 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that my Prepare Market Research Report 
               
               
                   
                   
                 activity includes all the required information for 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Acquisition Team to plan acquisition as well as 
               
               
                   
                   
                 required information for Contracting Officer’s 
               
               
                   
                   
                 execution of the eventual Procurement Request 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Package. I want the system to facilitate the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 workflow of the Market Research Report so I can 
               
               
                   
                   
                 see the status of approval to ensure timely review 
               
               
                   
                   
                 that is consistent with the acquisition schedule. 
               
               
                 Develop 
                 Planning Team 
                 As a RO when I create, edit or update the Planning 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Acquisition Plan 
                 Activity 
                 Team activity, I want the system to: 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Recommend Inputs from the Requirements 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Development, Market Research and other 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Acquisition Plan Development Activities 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Guide me through the Steps Necessary to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Complete the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Suggest Work Products 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Determine the Next Activity required 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to Track Completion and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Configure Notifications for the acquisition 
               
               
                   
                   
                 team 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to attach documents related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to create Action Items related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Provide links to Resources related to this 
               
               
                   
                   
                 activity to include Helpful Links, Video 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Tutorials, Document Templates 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that my Planning Team includes all the required 
               
               
                   
                   
                 information for the Contracting Officer’s 
               
               
                   
                   
                 execution of the eventual Procurement Request 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Package. I want the system to facilitate creation 
               
               
                   
                   
                 and communication with the initial team 
               
               
                   
                   
                 responsible for developing the Acquisition Plan 
               
               
                   
                   
                 before the larger Acquisition Team is created. 
               
               
                 Develop 
                 Initial Draft 
                 As a RO when I create, edit or update an Initial 
               
               
                 Acquisition Plan 
                 Acquisition 
                 Acquisition Plan activity, I want the system to: 
               
               
                   
                 Plan Activity 
                 Recommend Inputs from the Requirements 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Development, Market Research and other 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Acquisition Plan development activities, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Guide me through the Steps Necessary to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Complete the Activity, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Ask clarifying questions related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 competition and socioeconomic programs 
               
               
                   
                   
                 required by the Federal Acquisition 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Regulations 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to Track Completion and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Configure Notifications for the acquisition 
               
               
                   
                   
                 team 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to attach documents related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to create Action Items related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Provide links to Resources related to this 
               
               
                   
                   
                 activity to include Helpful Links, Video 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Tutorials, Document Templates 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that my Acquisition Plan includes all the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 required information for the Contracting Officer’s 
               
               
                   
                   
                 execution of the eventual Procurement Request 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Package. I want the system to intelligently 
               
               
                   
                   
                 automate the Acquisition Planning process based 
               
               
                   
                   
                 on what I enter so that the planning process is 
               
               
                   
                   
                 streamlined reducing time to develop the PR 
               
               
                   
                   
                 package and increasing completeness an accuracy 
               
               
                   
                   
                 of the package to reduce rework. 
               
               
                 Develop 
                 Source 
                 As a RO when I create, edit or update the Source 
               
               
                 Acquisition Plan 
                 Limitation 
                 Limitation Justification (SLJ) activity, I want the 
               
               
                   
                 Justification 
                 system to: 
               
               
                   
                 Activity 
                 Recommend Inputs from the Requirements 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Development, Market Research and other 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Acquisition Plan development activities 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Guide me through the Steps Necessary to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Complete the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Suggest Work Products 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to Track Completion and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Configure Notifications for the acquisition 
               
               
                   
                   
                 team 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to attach documents related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to create Action Items related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Provide links to Resources related to this 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 activity to include Helpful Links, Video 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Tutorials, Document Templates 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that my Source Limitation Justification includes 
               
               
                   
                   
                 all the required information for the Contracting 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Officer’s execution of the eventual Procurement 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Request Package. I want the system to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 intelligently automate the Acquisition Planning 
               
               
                   
                   
                 process including the decision to limit sources 
               
               
                   
                   
                 based on what I enter so that the planning process 
               
               
                   
                   
                 is streamlined reducing time to develop and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 increasing accuracy of the package to reduce 
               
               
                   
                   
                 rework. 
               
               
                 Develop 
                 Small 
                 As a RO when I create, edit or update the SBA 
               
               
                 Acquisition Plan 
                 Business 
                 Offering Letter activity, I want the system to: 
               
               
                   
                 Administration 
                 Recommend Inputs from the Requirements 
               
               
                   
                 (SBA) 
                 Development, Market Research and other 
               
               
                   
                 offering Letter 
                 Acquisition Plan development activities 
               
               
                   
                 Activity 
                 Guide me through the Steps Necessary to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Complete the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Suggest Work Products 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to Track Completion and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Configure Notifications for the acquisition 
               
               
                   
                   
                 team 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to attach documents related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to create Action Items related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Provide links to Resources related to this 
               
               
                   
                   
                 activity to include Helpful Links, Video 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Tutorials, Document Templates 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that my SBA Offering Letter Team includes all 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the required information for the Contracting 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Officer’s communication with the SBA on 
               
               
                   
                   
                 directing the procurement to an 8(a) contractor. I 
               
               
                   
                   
                 want the system to intelligently automate the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Acquisition Planning process based on what I 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 enter so that the SBA Offering Letter interchange 
               
               
                   
                   
                 with the SBA is streamlined reducing time to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 award the resulting directed 8(a) contract. 
               
               
                 Develop 
                 Obtain 
                 As a RO when I create, edit or update the Obtain 
               
               
                 Acquisition Plan 
                 Acquisition 
                 Acquisition Plan Approval activity, I want the 
               
               
                   
                 Plan Approval 
                 system to: 
               
               
                   
                 Activity 
                 Recommend Inputs from the Requirements 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Development, Market Research and other 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Acquisition Plan Development Activities 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Guide me through the Steps Necessary to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Complete the Activity based on my 
               
               
                   
                   
                 agency’s review process 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Suggest Work Products 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Determine the Next Activity required 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to Track Completion and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Configure Notifications for the acquisition 
               
               
                   
                   
                 team 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to attach documents related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to create Action Items related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Provide links to Resources related to this 
               
               
                   
                   
                 activity to include Helpful Links, Video 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Tutorials, Document Templates 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that my Acquisition Plan submitted for 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Approval includes all the required information by 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Federal Acquisition Regulations and my 
               
               
                   
                   
                 agency’s acquisition regulations. I want the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 system to intelligently automate the Acquisition 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Planning process based on what I enter so that my 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Acquisition Plan Approval is streamlined and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 requires only minimal rework. I want the system 
               
               
                   
                   
                 to track the workflow of the required signatories so 
               
               
                   
                   
                 that I know automatically know where the package 
               
               
                   
                   
                 is in the review cycle. 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Develop 
                 Establish 
                 As a RO when I create, edit or update Establish 
               
               
                 Acquisition Plan 
                 (Acquisition) 
                 Team activity for the remainder of the 
               
               
                   
                 Team Activity 
                 procurement process, I want the system to: 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Recommend Inputs from the Requirements 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Development, Market Research and other 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Acquisition Plan development activities 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to Track Completion and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Configure Notifications for the acquisition 
               
               
                   
                   
                 team 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to attach documents related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to create Action Items related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Provide links to Resources related to this 
               
               
                   
                   
                 activity to include Helpful Links, Video 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Tutorials, Document Templates 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that the system determines access to the Project 
               
               
                   
                   
                 data based on who is identified as my Acquisition 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Team. I want the system to intelligently automate 
               
               
                   
                   
                 communications, notifications, and access by the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 designated Acquisition Team members so that it 
               
               
                   
                   
                 improves communication and collaboration while 
               
               
                   
                   
                 protecting procurement sensitive data. 
               
               
                 Procurement 
                 Additional 
                 As a RO when I create, edit or update the 
               
               
                 Request Package 
                 Supporting 
                 Additional Supporting Documents activity, I want 
               
               
                   
                 Documents 
                 the system to: 
               
               
                   
                 Activity 
                 Recommend Inputs from the Requirements 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Development, Market Research and other 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Acquisition Plan Development Activities 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Guide me through the Steps Necessary to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Complete the Activity based on my 
               
               
                   
                   
                 agency’s review process 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Suggest Work Products 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Determine the Next Activity required 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to Track Completion and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Configure Notifications for the acquisition 
               
               
                   
                   
                 team 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to attach documents related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to create Action Items related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Provide links to Resources related to this 
               
               
                   
                   
                 activity to include Helpful Links, Video 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Tutorials, Document Templates 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that my Additional Supporting Documentation 
               
               
                   
                   
                 submitted as part of the Procurement Request 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Package for Approval includes all the required 
               
               
                   
                   
                 information by my agency’s acquisition 
               
               
                   
                   
                 regulations thereby reducing rework and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 streamlining the procurement timeline. 
               
               
                 Procurement 
                 Assemble 
                 As a RO when I create, edit or update the 
               
               
                 Request Package 
                 PR/Initial 
                 Assemble PR/Initial Funding Document activity, I 
               
               
                   
                 Funding 
                 want the system to: 
               
               
                   
                 Document 
                 Recommend Inputs from the Requirements 
               
               
                   
                 Activity 
                 Development, Market Research and other 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Acquisition Plan Development Activities 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Guide me through the Steps Necessary to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Complete the Activity based on my 
               
               
                   
                   
                 agency’s review process 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Suggest Work Products 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Determine the Next Activity required 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to Track Completion and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Configure Notifications for the acquisition 
               
               
                   
                   
                 team 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to attach documents related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to create Action Items related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Provide links to Resources related to this 
               
               
                   
                   
                 activity to include Helpful Links, Video 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Tutorials, Document Templates 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that my Procurement Request with Initial 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Funding Document is complete and provide good 
               
               
                   
                   
                 information required by my agency’s acquisition 
               
               
                   
                   
                 regulations thereby improving the quality, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 reducing rework, and streamlining the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 procurement timeline. 
               
               
                 Procurement 
                 Process PR to 
                 As a RO when I create, edit or update the Process 
               
               
                 Request Package 
                 Contracts 
                 PR to Contracts activity, I want the system to: 
               
               
                   
                 Activity 
                 Identify the Required Documents and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Recommend other Inputs from the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Requirements Development, Market 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Research and other Acquisition Plan 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Development Activities 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Guide me through the Steps Necessary to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Complete the Activity based on my 
               
               
                   
                   
                 agency’s review process 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Suggest Work Products 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to Track Completion and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Configure Notifications for the acquisition 
               
               
                   
                   
                 team 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to attach documents related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allow me to create Action Items related to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Activity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Allows me to hit a Submit PR Package so 
               
               
                   
                   
                 that all of the attached documentation in the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 package is uploaded into the agency’s 
               
               
                   
                   
                 contract writing system or if interface to the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 contract writing system is not allowed, the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 PR package is submitted as an email to the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Contract intake mailbox 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Provide links to Resources related to this 
               
               
                   
                   
                 activity to include Helpful Links, Video 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Tutorials, Document Templates 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that my Procurement Request Submitted to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Contracts includes the final version of all 
               
               
                   
                   
                 documents and other files, the package is 
               
               
                   
                   
                 complete, and complies with my agency’s 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 acquisition regulations thereby improving the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 quality, reducing rework, and streamlining the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 procurement timeline. I want to push a button to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 submit the PR package so I know all final version 
               
               
                   
                   
                 of the files are included. 
               
               
                 Repository 
                 Display 
                 As a system user when I login to the system and 
               
               
                   
                 Repository 
                 click the Repository menu item, I am taken to the 
               
               
                   
                 page 
                 Repository home page which includes: 
               
               
                   
                   
                 1. A list of all existing repositories items in 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the system prioritized by contract 
               
               
                   
                   
                 requirements and work products 
               
               
                   
                   
                 2. Options to upload, download, view, and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 delete repository items as well as edit 
               
               
                   
                   
                 repository item meta data 
               
               
                   
                   
                 so that I can easily access all documentation stored 
               
               
                   
                   
                 in the system for all of my requirements/projects in 
               
               
                   
                   
                 one location. 
               
               
                 Repository 
                 Repository 
                 As a system user when I upload and/or attach a file 
               
               
                   
                 upload 
                 to a project, activity, action item, invoice, 
               
               
                   
                 functionality 
                 contractor and/or any other items, I want to open 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the Repository page and see those documents 
               
               
                   
                   
                 reflected there and associated with the project so 
               
               
                   
                   
                 that all the project documentation is stored in a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 central location and provide proper RO PR records 
               
               
                   
                   
                 management. 
               
               
                 Repository 
                 Search 
                 As a system user, I want to be able to enter text at 
               
               
                   
                 documents in 
                 the top of the repository for all matching and/or 
               
               
                   
                 repository 
                 similar lines of text and provide me a list with 
               
               
                   
                   
                 links to relevant data items so that I can easily 
               
               
                   
                   
                 locate and access any related information in 
               
               
                   
                   
                 accordance with my permissions. 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Support 
                 Display 
                 As a RO, I want to be able to submit a support 
               
               
                   
                 Support page 
                 request so that if the application is not performing 
               
               
                   
                   
                 properly and/or I need assistance performing some 
               
               
                   
                   
                 activity I can submit a request for assistance. I 
               
               
                   
                   
                 want to be able to call the support line or request a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 support ticket. I want access to other User 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Assistance articles so that I can help myself if an 
               
               
                   
                   
                 article addresses my issue. 
               
               
                 Support 
                 Display 
                 As a system user, I want to ask an acquisition 
               
               
                   
                 Support page 
                 expert for help on any acquisition-related topic 
               
               
                   
                 and select Ask 
                 with the ability to provide my contact info, the 
               
               
                   
                 the Experts 
                 question, and upload files for consideration by the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 expert. 
               
               
                 Settings 
                 Display 
                 As a system user, I want to be able to access a 
               
               
                   
                 settings/config 
                 settings page that allows me to view my username, 
               
               
                   
                 uration page 
                 update my password, edit my contact information, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 edit my department, and/or other settings so that 
               
               
                   
                   
                 my most recent and relevant information is 
               
               
                   
                   
                 available and make user-allowed adjustments to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 have a better user experience. 
               
               
                 Authentication 
                 User 
                 As a RO, Contracting Officer (CO), Contract 
               
               
                   
                 Authentication 
                 Specialist (CS), Contracting Officer’s 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Representative (COR), Program Manager (PM), 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Program Director, Procurement Executive, or any 
               
               
                   
                   
                 other role, I want to be able to enter my username 
               
               
                   
                   
                 and password to login to my Enlightened Solutions 
               
               
                   
                   
                 FIND module so that I can perform my work 
               
               
                   
                   
                 duties related to the acquisition planning for the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 federal government. 
               
               
                 Permissions &amp; 
                 Create user 
                 As a Systems Administrator, I want to ensure that 
               
               
                 Roles 
                 permissions 
                 different users are able to access different 
               
               
                   
                 and roles 
                 functionality so that each user has access to the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 functionality that they need to perform the duties 
               
               
                   
                   
                 required by their respective position. 
               
               
                 Permissions &amp; 
                 Create project 
                 As a Project POC, I want to add members to the 
               
               
                 Roles 
                 roles 
                 Project (Acquisition Team) based on their role so 
               
               
                   
                   
                 they have access to the functionality that they need 
               
               
                   
                   
                 to perform the duties required by their respective 
               
               
                   
                   
                 position. 
               
               
                 Integration 
                 Integration 
                 As an Acquisition Team member, I want to be able 
               
               
                   
                 between 
                 to view projects and other information relevant to 
               
               
                   
                 Enlightened 
                 the creation of acquisition planning projects 
               
               
                   
                 Solutions 
                 (culminating in PR packages) that I entered in the 
               
               
                   
                 Suite: 
                 ES FIND module and the resulting awarded 
               
               
                   
                 Facilitated 
                 contracts in the ES CPI module so that I don’t 
               
               
                   
                 Intelligent 
                 have to enter information more than once 
               
               
                   
                 Needs 
                 throughout the acquisition life cycle and I have 
               
               
                   
                 Development 
                 access to the evolution of the acquisition need and 
               
               
                   
                 (FIND) for 
                 context around the acquisition strategy and 
               
               
                   
                 acquisition 
                 contract award. 
               
               
                   
                 planning and 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Contractor 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Performance 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Intelligence 
                   
               
               
                   
                 (CPI) for post 
                   
               
               
                   
                 award 
                   
               
               
                   
                 contractor 
                   
               
               
                   
                 performance 
                   
               
               
                   
                 management 
                   
               
               
                   
                 modules 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Turning to  FIGS.  24 - 27   , shown therein are the contract procurement process lifecycles in block diagram format, which are implemented in the present invention. We begin with  FIG.  24   . The present invention provides intelligent process automation for the procedures shown in the  FIG.  24    as well as sub-procedures that are not detailed in the figure. 
     1. Program Need/Requirement—This represents the Program Office determination that it has a need to acquire supplies or services that are not available from AGENCY in-house sources. Most often, a program need consists of at least a basic articulation of what is needed combined with some degree of confidence that some funding can be allocated. 
     2. Market Research— MRR— This represents the conduct of Market Research in accordance with AGENCY POLICY on Market Research, and the fact that the output of the Market Research effort is a Market Research Report (MRR) detailing procedures, findings, analysis and conclusions reached. 
     2a. Information from Industry, e.g., web sites, RFI Responses, etc.—depicts the fact that Market Research processes often involve information shared with and gathered from a range of diverse types of industry sources. 
     3. IGCE— This step is the development of an Independent Government Cost Estimate in accordance with AGENCY POLICY on Independent Government Cost Estimate, largely supported by information in the MRR. The IGCE can help to ensure that an appropriate budget allocation is available for the requirement or lead to budget-constrained tailoring in defining the requirement. Subsequently in the process, the IGCE can provide key support to determining price reasonableness of the ultimate award. 
     4. JOFOC/LSJ— This conditional step represents the fact that if the MRR indicates that only one source can meet the need, then a specific formal authorization is required. These terms are “Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition” (FAR Subpart 6.3) and, for FSS orders, “Limited Source Justification” (FAR 8.405-6). The CO must be promptly consulted if the MRR indicates this situation and, if the CO agrees, the Acquisition Team prepares the appropriate sections of a FAR-compliant FIND Demo and discussion around spend planning (JOFOC) or Limited Source Justification (LSJ) and the CO processes it for approval at the appropriate level. 
     5. SB Review Form—This step depicts the requirement to prepare and obtain Small Business Specialist review of the AGENCY&#39;s Small Business Program Review Form, for most proposed procurement approaches. See also AGENCY POLICY on Reviews and Approvals for the parameters when this review process is required. 
     6. Finalized Requirement Definition Document—The output of this step will often be a Statement of Objectives (SOO), Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Work (SOW) for services—or an appropriately detailed description of a supplies requirement. It will start from the initial defined need of Step 1, be refined by MRR results, possibly re-scoped for affordability based on the IGCE, all presented in a fashion to enable industry to understand the AGENCY need and present their best solution. This will be supplemented by draft technical evaluation criteria, proposal content requirements, and award selection bases. 
     7. (and 7a) Acquisition/Milestone Acquisition Plan Developed—Approved—These steps represent the often involved and complex requirement to develop and document an appropriate Acquisition Plan or Milestone Acquisition Plan for any acquisition requirement, in accordance with AGENCY POLICY on Acquisition Planning. The plan developed must be informed by the MRR results, the IGCE, the results of the Small Business review and must reflect the approval or disapproval of the JOFOC/LSJ if a source limitation is proposed. All of these are germane to the acquisition approach that must be properly documented. The customer (planner, often the RO) leads the development effort with AGENCY support. The process of review and approval at the appropriate level is led by AGENCY personnel with support from planner/RO/customer personnel as necessary. For large dollar value requirements, the approval of a formal AP may also require review via an AGENCY-prescribed Acquisition Review Board (ARB). 
     8. PR Package Routed to CONTRACTS— This step represents the assembly of a complete PR package, which must be supported by attachment of appropriate supporting documents including the Requirement Definition Document (Step 6), MRR (Step 2), IGCE (Step 3), JOFOC/LSJ (Step 4), SB review (Step 5), and Approved AP document (Step 7). Once assembled, the PR is routed by the Program Office in the Delphi and ESC PRISM systems, via the Budget and Finance offices, to CONTRACTS. Receipt of the complete PR in CONTRACTS ends the Acquisition Planning through Procurement Request process and begins the measurement of PALT. 
     We now turn to  FIG.  25   . 
     9. Develop draft Solicitation (RFP, RFQ)— This step involves the development of the formal request to be submitted for firms to propose their respective solutions to meet the AGENCY need. This step includes interactions depicted at step 9a between CONTRACTS personnel and technical/programmatic Acquisition Team members to determine how to evaluate offers and select the awardee from among those firms that submit offers. This step may also include engagement of industry via venues such as the step 9b. publication of Requests for Information (RFIs) or Draft Requests for Proposal (DRFPs) requesting written industry feedback or per step 9c, the direct engagement via Industry Days or One-on-One meetings with firms. 
     10. Review/Finalize Solicitation (RFP, RFQ)— This step includes making any final changes to the solicitation document based on feedback received from steps 9a, 9b, and 9c. It also includes obtaining legal and other reviews and approval for release, as outlined in AGENCY POLICY on Reviews and Approvals. 
     11. Release Solicitation—This step includes either posting of the solicitation for industry offers in SAM.gov on eBuy for MAS acquisition approaches, or as appropriate for Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs) and other multi-agency contracts. 
     12. Prepare—Submit Proposals or Quotes—Is the step in which industry firms prepare their responsive offers to meet the AGENCY need. Note, however, that 12a is an interactive process in which industry members can submit questions—most often regarding technical issues to increase their understanding of the AGENCY need. Also note that, as a result of issues raised by industry questions, it may become necessary to issue an amendment—step 12b—to the solicitation&#39;s terms, such as to clarify ambiguous provisions or merely to allow more time for proposal preparation. 
     13. Proposals or Quotes Received—This step includes the receipt of proposals or quotes and generally includes a review by CONTRACTS of each offer to ensure compliance with proposal formatting and contents constraints. 
     We now turn to  FIG.  26   . 
     14. (and  14   a ) Price Evaluation and Technical and Past Performance Evaluation—This step depicts the evaluation of offers with respect to prices offered and the solicitation&#39;s non-cost factors in support of the ultimate source selection decision. 
     15. Competitive Range and Pre-negotiation Approval—This step depicts the determination of a competitive range of the “most highly rated” firms and the approval of a Pre-negotiation Memorandum, if required pursuant AGENCY POLICY on Reviews and Approvals. When required, this document grants authority to enter negotiations. In some cases, where there is a fully compliant clear winning offer and the solicitation reserves the right, a decision may be made to “award without discussions.” If so, the process skips steps 15-18. 
     16. (and 16a) Conduct Negotiations—These depict the interaction between representatives of AGENCY and each firm in the competitive range to address deficiencies of each firm&#39;s respective offer. The AGENCY team may also opt to address relatively minor weaknesses and strengths with each firm. 
     17. Final Proposal Revisions—This step depicts industry responding, if they desire, to issues raised in negotiations with proposal revisions (FPRs) to improve their chances of being selected for award. 
     18. FPR Re-evaluations—This step depicts the re-evaluation of the firms&#39; respective proposals as altered by the FPRs. 
     19. Source Selection and Post-Negotiation Approval—This step depicts the selection of the best solution to meet the AGENCY need, based on the evaluation (re-evaluation) results of each firm&#39;s submissions. This selection may be documented via a formal Source Selection Decision Document (SSDD). The SSDD serves as the most critical information supporting the Post-Negotiation Memorandum, the approval of which authorizes award of the contract pursuant to AGENCY POLICY on Reviews and Approvals. 
     20. Award—The CO ensures that all requirements of law, executive orders, regulations, and all other applicable procedures, including documentation, clearances and approvals have been complied with and makes the award. This ends the measurement of PALT. 
     21. Post-Award Notices—This step depicts the fact that there are various notices required to accompany the award of most contract actions. The exact nature of such required notices depends on factors such as dollar value. 
     We now turn to  FIG.  27   . 
     22. Contract Kick-off/Post-award Orientation—This step could consist of a relatively informal meeting or a more formal event that orients the new Contractor to the Government&#39;s needs and requirements to foster mutual understanding of both parties and their respective key personnel. To determine meeting degree of formality, consider the magnitude and complexity of the contract, as well as the contractor&#39;s overall experience and history with the AGENCY. Minutes should be developed and issued for Post-award Orientations. 
     23. Perform Contract Requirements—This step depicts the Contractor&#39;s efforts to meet contract requirements, providing the required services and supplies. 
     24. Conduct Performance Oversight (COR) Activities—This step depicts the process of managing and overseeing the contractor&#39;s performance efforts under Step 23. It includes activities such as, but not limited to, executing the monitoring activities specified in the QASP, potentially the use of in-process inspection or test procedures for supplies, as well as other requirements that may be delineated within the Contract. 
     25. Administer Contract Requirements—This step includes the efforts and processes to meet the Government&#39;s obligations under a contract, such as timely provision and management of GFE/GFP/GFI, ensuring access to Government facilities and systems when warranted and as necessary for Contractor personnel, receipt, analysis, approval and timely payment of contractor invoices, plus conduct of contract closeout. This step, the Step 24 Performance Oversight Activities and the Step 26 Assessment and Acceptance of Received Items are closely intertwined and sometimes are considered as a single category of all those Government activities occurring from the point of award through contract closeout. 
     26. Provide Outputs and Make Deliveries—This step includes the presentation/proffering of contract deliverable requirements, such as required reports of results or delivery of supplies as being compliant with contract requirements and objectives, for acceptance by the Government. 
     26a. Assess and Accept Received Items—This step includes the review of all services, reports of accomplishments, and pre-acceptance inspection and test, as appropriate, of supplies upon delivery. 
     27. Request Payments per Contract Terms—This step includes electronic or other format requests for payment (invoices or vouchers), based on periodic entitlement or acceptance of supplies delivered/services performed. 
     28. Consider if Modification(s) are Appropriate—Modifications to a contract may arise for various reasons and may be proposed by the Contractor, determined appropriate by the Government to obtain to improve or ensure contract objectives are achieved, or contemplated by contract terms, such as funding increments or option exercises. If a modification is deemed appropriate, a PR package would be generated and processed to contracts per Steps 6-8, and potentially Step 4. The Contract Modification Consideration Process is included in  FIG.  20   . 
     29. Develop and Execute Modifications—This step includes pertinent steps from within Steps 9 through 20, tailored for the fact competition-specific steps are not needed, sole source negotiations with cost data support may be appropriate. Or, for modifications such as incremental funding or timely option exercises, may be issued unilaterally and without the need for solicitation or negotiation. Upon execution, Contractor performance requirements per Step 23 will usually be revised. 
     30. Review &amp; Approve Invoices/Vouchers—Based on contract terms and information generated via Steps 24, 25 and 26a, billings must be approved, rejected with explanation or partially approved with explanation of any portion not approved. 
     31. Initiate Closeout—Physically Complete—This step follows completion by the contractor of all contractual requirements to determine physical completion. 
     32. Complete Closeout—This step includes the steps defined at FAR 4.804, as appropriate to the specific contract and preparation of the contract file for archiving per FAR 4.805. This is the final segment of the contract procurement process lifecycle.