20. BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENTS (BPAs)

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.303-1(a) defines Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) as “…a simplified method of filling anticipated repetitive needs for supplies or services by establishing ‘charge accounts’ with qualified sources of supply.” The use of Blanket Purchase Agreements under the Federal Supply Schedule Program is authorized in accordance with FAR 13.303-2(c)(3), which reads, in part, as follows:

“BPAs may be established with Federal Supply Schedule Contractors, if not inconsistent with the terms of the applicable schedule contract.”

Federal Supply Schedule contracts contain BPA provisions to enable schedule users to maximize their administrative and purchasing savings. This feature permits schedule users to set up “accounts” with Schedule Contractors to fill recurring requirements. These accounts establish a period for the BPA and generally address issues such as the frequency of ordering and invoicing, authorized callers, discounts, delivery locations and times. Agencies may qualify for the best quantity/volume discounts available under the contract, based on the potential volume of business that may be generated through such an agreement, regardless of the size of the individual orders. In addition, agencies may be able to secure a discount higher than that available in the contract based on the aggregate volume of business possible under a BPA. Finally, Contractors may be open to a progressive type of discounting where the discount would increase once the sales accumulated under the BPA reach certain prescribed levels. Use of a BPA may be particularly useful with the new Maximum Order feature. See the Suggested Format, contained in this Schedule Pricelist, for customers to consider when using this purchasing tool.