Following federal standards ensures that grantee agencies obtain materials and services paid for with Federal funds in an effective manner and in compliance with federal laws. Grantee agencies are expected to use federal funds to purchase items and services in the most economical way and to buy only what they need. They are allowed to design their own systems for procurement and use whatever forms and workflow processes that best suit their organizational structure.
Codes
of Conduct
Grantees
are expected to write standards of conduct governing the performance of their employees engaged in the award. Administration of contracts and violations of the standards also should be
enforced.
Competition
Based on the Federal standard established in 45 CFR 74.43, all procurement transactions, regardless of amount, must be conducted in a manner that provides, to the maximum extent practical, open and free competition. This means that, even if it seems like a "good deal," grantee agencies cannot make the purchase until other vendors also are given consideration.
Contracts
Grantees
must include certain provisions in their contracts when they
purchase goods and services. For example, grantees must allow for
administrative, contractual, or legal remedies in instances in
which a contractor violates or breaches the contract terms.
DAB
Decisions
The Department of
Appeals Board makes decisions on grantees that ACF has determined
are non compliant with federal procurement regulations. Grantees
have an opportunity to appeal ACF decisions through this hearing
process.
Head
Start Facilities Purchase, Major Renovation and
Construction
The procedures for applying for Head Start grant funds to purchase, construct, or make major renovations to facilities in which to operate Head Start programs are prescribed. The measures which must be taken to protect the Federal interest in such facilities purchased, constructed or renovated with Head Start grant funds are detailed.
Procurement
The
Federal regulations, in 45 CFR 74.40 - .48 and 45 CFR 92.36, set
standards for use by grantee agencies in establishing their own
procedures for purchasing services, supplies and other expendable
property, equipment, and real property with federal funds. These
standards were established to ensure that grantee agencies obtain
materials and services with federal funds in an effective manner
and in compliance with Federal laws. This section includes include
information for grantees on such subjects as competition, analysis
of cost/price, contractual disputes, codes of conduct, procurement
records, and written procedures.
Procurement
Management
Within
the parameters of the federal standards, grantee agencies are
allowed to design their own systems for procurement and use
whatever forms and workflow processes best suit their organizational
structure. Such systems may be more stringent than the Federal
requirements, but not less.
Purpose
of Standards
Grantees must
follow several guidelines when purchasing goods and services for
their programs. This section contains information needed to make
procurement activities progress smoothly.
Recipient
Responsibilities
The recipient is the responsible authority, without recourse to the federal awarding agency, regarding the settlement and satisfaction of all contractual and administrative issues arising out of procurements entered into in support of an award or other agreement. This includes disputes, claims, protest of award, source evaluation or other matters of a contractual nature. Matters concerning violation of statute are to be referred to such Federal, State or local authority as may have proper jurisdiction.
Seven Steps to Performance-Based Acquistion*
Performance-based service acquisition is defined in seven simple steps.
Small
Business Reauthorization Act 1997
Public Law
105-135 105th Congress is an act to reauthorize the programs of the Small Business Administration -- programs in formerly underdeveloped and underutilized business zones.
The
National Head Start Facilities Assistance Desk
The Facilities Assistance Desk provides grantees with information, training, and technical assistance regarding early childhood facilities.
Tribal
Child Care Technical Assistance Center (TriTAC)
The Tribal Child Care Technical Assistance Center (TriTAC) was established by the Child Care Bureau (CCB) in 1998 to strengthen child care services for Native American children and families. Through specialized training and technical assistance efforts, TriTAC assists Indian Tribes and tribal organizations in their efforts to enhance the quality, affordability, and availability of child care.
