§4103 General Authority

Summary

Heads of executive agencies may use task or delivery order contracts to buy services or goods, as long as they follow this law, section 4106, and other rules. When they ask for offers, the request must say how long the contract will run (and any option periods), the maximum amount or dollar limit that can be ordered, and a clear summary of the work or items needed. The agency may only skip competitive bidding if the exception in section 3304(a) applies and the skip is approved under section 3304(e). An agency can award one contract or, if the request allows it, give separate contracts to two or more sources for the same or similar work. No determination under section 3303 is needed to make multiple awards. A single award estimated to be more than $100,000,000 (including options) is allowed only if a written finding shows one of these: the tasks are so linked that only one source can do them; the orders are firm, fixed-price with prices set in the contract; only one source is capable at a fair price; or exceptional public interest requires it. If the last reason is used, Congress must be told within 30 days. Orders cannot expand a contract’s scope, time, or dollar limit — only a contract modification can do that. These rules do not apply to advisory and assistance services except as noted in section 4105. Nothing here changes other contracting authorities, including GSA schedules or other laws.