Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, GSA and the agencies procuring through GSA Schedules are adapting to the needs of American citizens. An increase in purchasing through the Schedules program has brought along a slew of revisions to procedures and procurement efforts. Normally we discuss contracting from the vendor perspective, however, it is important to understand changes on the procurement side in order to gauge contracting activity and efforts to prepare for potential contracting opportunities and partnerships. From a buyer’s perspective, one of the most significant changes by way of the pandemic is an update to both the Micro-Purchase (MPT) and Simplified Acquisition (SAT) Thresholds.

[This article was last updated on November 18, 2020] In the United States and across the globe, citizens are continuing to practice social distancing, work remotely, and check-in on the constant COVID-19 news cycle. For many, this is a jarring change of pace and we’re all still adjusting as further developments are announced. It’s hard to tell when this will all end, but one thing that’s certain is the U.S. government’s need for innovative and valuable solutions in times of crisis. As part of the contracting community that provides these solutions for the government, GSA Schedule contractors play an essential role in responding to and eventually resolving crises – and COVID-19 is no different.

Last week the United States Office of Management and Budget (OMB) provided guidance to federal contractors regarding payment for contractors that have been impacted by coronavirus. Contractors that have received stop work orders or other delays may now be eligible for continued payment under OMB Memorandum M-20-18 and Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”). Section 3610 of the CARES Act, which we covered in a previous blog, provides further clarification under the following section of the act entitled “Federal Contractor Authority.” This section of the act states that Contracting Officers have the granted authority to continue paying contractors in order to maintain employment for contractor personnel, even if the contract is subject to a stop work order or other delay.

On Friday, March 27th, President Trump signed a historic $2 Trillion Dollar Coronavirus aid package into law. This legislation, otherwise known as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), will provide emergency relief to several groups including individuals, small businesses, large corporations, public health facilities, state and local governments, and education institutions. The CARES Act provides the largest emergency stimulus package in United States history as a result of bipartisan legislation negotiated by Democrats and Republicans to provide an immediate response to the growing COVID-19 crisis sweeping the nation.

The first case of Coronavirus in West Virginia occurred on Tuesday, March 17th, meaning the virus has now impacted all 50 states. With the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 climbing in the United States, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday afternoon that his administration is ramping up its response to the virus through invoking the Defense Product Act. President Trump said the following in response to invoking the Defense Product Act, “It can do a lot of good things, if we need it, and we will have it all completed, signing it in just a little while.”

As the Coronavirus continues to surge, federal, state, and local governments are working to respond in a timely manner to reach those most susceptible to the disease and slow the spread. While social distancing is something that we all can do as individuals to respond to the crisis, it’s important to note how federal contractors come into the mix. We’ve mentioned how the General Services Administration can prepare for the pandemic and how contractors can best come to the aid of state and local governments through the Disaster Purchasing Program. Now that the military is starting to be called to contain the coronavirus, it’s crucial to consider how defense contracts will play the situation surrounding COVID-19. Enter DPAS. The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) is used to prioritize national defense-related contracts/orders throughout the U.S. supply chain in order to support military, energy, homeland security, emergency preparedness, and critical infrastructure requirements. We’ve broken down DPAS to show you how it applies to you as a defense contractor.