Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) (FAR Part 13) are designed for the purchase of relatively simple supply or service requirements. SAP are supposed to be used to the maximum extent practicable for all purchases of supplies or services not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT) below. The purpose of SAP is to:
- Reduce administrative costs;
- Improve opportunities for small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, and service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns to obtain a fair proportion of government contracts;
- Promote efficiency and economy in contracting; and
- Avoid unnecessary burdens for agencies and contractors.
Website: FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures
Website: DFARS 213.3 Simplified Acquisition Procedures
Checklist: Simplified Acquisition Checklist
Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) (FAR 2.101) is $250,000. The SAT can vary depending on the particular acquisition situation. For acquisitions of supplies or services for supporting a contingency operation or facilitating defense against or recovery from nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological attack, the SAT is (i) $750,000 for contracts awarded and performed, or purchases made, inside the United States; and (ii) $1.5 million for contracts awarded and performed, or purchases made, outside the United States. The test program at FAR 13.5 raises the threshold for use of SAP for commercial items to $7 million.
There are five (5) buying methods prescribed in FAR Part 13 for simplified acquisition purchases:
- Government-Wide Purchase Card
- Purchase Orders
- Blanket Purchase Agreements
- Imprest Funds & Third Party Drafts
- SF 44, Purchase Order-Invoice-Voucher
AcqLinks and References:
- Checklist: Simplified Acquisition Checklist
- Navy Simplified Acquisition Procedures Guide – April 2018
- Presentation: Simplified Acquisition Procedures Training – Mar 14
- Website: OSD DPAP “Simplified Acquisitions”
- Website: FAR Part 2 (for definition and thresholds for Simplified acquisition procedures)
- Website: FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures
- Website: DFARS 213.3 Simplified Acquisition Procedures
Updated: 12/21/2018