Does anyone know if the Dept of Commerce COMMITS contract has been designated by OMB as being exempt from the Economy Act as other GWACs have been (e.g. ITOP, CIOSP)? Where can I go to find out or verify?

By Anonymous on Friday, June 01, 2001 - 02:36 pm:

Are orders placed by MIPR or by DO?

By formerfed on Monday, June 04, 2001 - 07:44 am:

Yes. COMMITS did get designated by OMB as a GWAS. Go to their web site at "www.commits.doc.gov" for more information.

By PWG on Monday, June 04, 2001 - 11:30 am:

Thanks formerfed but I visited the Commerce web site and see only the statement that Commerce has requested OMB Executive Agent (GWAC) authority for COMMITS. I see nothing telling me that it has been granted. I figured something like this would be a matter of public record but I don't know where to look for verification. I searched on the OMB web site and the OFPP web site and couldn't find aything in either location.

By bob antonio on Monday, June 04, 2001 - 11:49 am:

PWG:

Check this link.

http://www.commits.doc.gov/faq.htm

It says.

"Question: Did DoC receive an executive agency delegation as required by the Clinger-Cohen Act?

Answer: DoC received this delegation from OMB Director Jacob Lew on June 21, 1999."

This document should be avilable for fax from the managers of this program. I would contact them and have them fax it to you.

By PWG on Monday, June 04, 2001 - 02:12 pm:

Thanks Bob. I guess I just didn't look hard enough.

By Anonymous on Tuesday, June 05, 2001 - 08:50 am:

How does the Economy Act play here...I went back to the enabling act and I found no mention of it. Does it lie somewhere else?

By formerfed on Tuesday, June 05, 2001 - 09:11 am:

Essentially there are two ways agencies can order supplies/services under another contract. One is where the contracting agency has the statutory authority such GSA to award contracts on behalf of other agencies or where OMB designates an agency as an "executive agency" to award a GWAC. The other is where an agency determines under the Economy Act that it is more benefical for them to obtain supplies/services from another agency. Details of the second situation are found in FAR 17.5.

By Anonymous on Tuesday, June 05, 2001 - 10:14 am:

Then the OMB procedure is not linked,specifically to the Economy Act?

By formerfed on Tuesday, June 05, 2001 - 10:24 am:

That's right.