FAR Part 10
Market Research
Market Research
FAR Part 10 - Prescribes policies and
procedures for conducting Market
Research.
Why? – Market Research
• To arrive at the most suitable approach to
acquiring, distributing, and supporting
supplies and services.
10.001 Policy
• Agencies must—
• Ensure that legitimate needs are identified
and trade-offs evaluated to acquire items that
meet those needs.
Conducting Market Research
• Is appropriate to the circumstances before
soliciting offers for acquisitions with an
estimated value?
In excess of the simplified acquisition
threshold.
Less than the simplified acquisition
threshold when adequate information is not
available and the circumstances justify its
cost.
Conducting Market Research
• When appropriate to the circumstances of:
Soliciting offers for acquisitions that could
lead to a bundled contract
(15 U.S.C. 644(e)(2)(A));
Conducting Market Research
• Is appropriate in the circumstances of:
Awarding a task or delivery order under an
indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (ID/IQ)
contract (e.g., GWACs, MACs) for a
noncommercial item in excess of the amplified
acquisition threshold (10 U.S.C. 2377)
Conducting Market Research
• Commercially available Market Research
methods:
Assists in locating small businesses and
identifying new applicants and their capabilities
that meet the requirements of the agency, now
and for the future.
Conducting Marketing Research
• Agencies should not request potential sources
to submit more than the minimum
information necessary.
• If an agency contemplates awarding a bundled
contract.
Results of Market Research
• Determine if sources are capable of satisfying
the agency’s requirements exist.
• Determine if commercial items or, to the
extent commercial items are suitable to meet
the agency’s needs, and are not available,
non-developmental items are available.
Results of Market Research
• Meets the agency’s requirements; or can be
modified to a reasonable extent.
• Determines the extent to which commercial
items or non-developmental items could be
incorporated at the component level.
Results of Market Research
• Determine the practices of firms engaged in producing,
distributing, and supporting commercial items, such as
type of contract, terms of warranties, buyer financing,
maintenance, packaging, and marking;
• Ensure maximum practicable use of recovered
materials (see Subpart 23.4) and promote energy
conservation and efficiency.
• Determine whether bundling is necessary and justified
(see 7.107) (15 U.S.C. 644(e)(2)(A)).
Results of Market Research
• Assess the availability of electronic and information
technology that meets all or part of the applicable
accessibility standards issued by the Architectural
and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board at
36 CFR.
• When conducting market research, agencies should
not request potential sources to submit more than
the minimum information necessary.
Marketing Research - Do’s
• Consult with the local Small Business
Administration procurement center
representative.
• At least 30 days before release of the
solicitation or 30 days prior to placing an order
without a solicitation.
Marketing Research - Do’s
• Notify any affected incumbent small business
concerns of the Government’s intention to
bundle.
• Notify any affected incumbent small business
concerns of how the concerns may contact the
appropriate Small Business Administration
representative.
Marketing Research - Do’s
• The requirement for a prime contractor to
perform market research in contracts in excess
of $5 million for the procurement of items
other than commercial items
10.002 Procedures
• Description of Governments needs stated in
sufficient terms to allow for Market Research.
• Determine if commercial items or nondevelopmental items, available to meet the
Governments needs.
•
Procedures
• Market Research will vary depending on such
factors as urgency, estimated dollar value,
complexity and past experience.
• The CO may use Market Research conducted
within the last 18 months before award, if
information is still current, accurate and
relevant.
Procedures:
• Market Research must be specific to the items
being acquired, to support weather the
Governments needs can be met.
• Items of a type customarily available in the
commercial marketplace, or with modification
or used exclusively for government purposes.
Procedures:
Routine practices regarding customizing, or
modifying items to meet the customers needs,
and associated costs may include:
• Warranty
• Buyer Financing
• Discounts
• Contract type
How to Conduct Market Research
• Contacting knowledgeable individuals in
Government and industry regarding market
capabilities to meet requirements.
• Review the results of recent Market Research
conducted to meet similar or identical
requirements.
How to Conduct Market Research
• Government databases used by multiple
agencies.
• Government and commercial databases.
• Interactive, on-line communication, with
industry and acquisition personnel.
How to Conduct Market Research
• Publish formal requests for recent Market
Research in appropriate technical and
scientific journals and business publications.
• Government databases used by multiple
agencies.
• Government and commercial databases.
Document – Document - Document
• Always DOCUMENT the results of Market
Research in a manner appropriate to the size
and complexity of the acquisition.