Apply the total small-business set-aside below the simplified acquisition threshold
Key facts
- Human involvement
- YellowClose supervision
- How AI is used
- From the anticipated value and the supplies or services, record whether the buy sits above the micro-purchase threshold and not over the simplified acquisition threshold. List the file's market-research note on whether two or more responsible small businesses are expected. Do not decide that the set-aside is unavailable and do not state a dollar figure for either threshold.
- What the lawyer must review
- The lawyer decides whether FAR 19.502-2(a) requires a total small-business set-aside. Each acquisition of supplies or services above the micro-purchase threshold, but not over the simplified acquisition threshold, shall be set aside for small business unless the contracting officer determines there is not a reasonable expectation of offers from two or more responsible small business concerns that are competitive on fair market price, quality, and delivery. One acceptable offer from a responsible small business should be accepted. No acceptable offers means the set-aside is withdrawn and, if the requirement is still valid, the buy is resolicited on an unrestricted basis. FAR 13.104 separately requires the contracting officer to promote competition and not to restrict a simplified solicitation to well-known brands. The opened section points to FAR 19.203 before the set-aside is made. That section was not opened, so it is not applied from memory.
- Written for / version
- United States versionUS
Who does what
| Role | What they do |
|---|---|
| Assistance | Potential support includes organising research leads. Confirm the tool’s capability and permitted scope. |
| Lawyer | Set the scope, supervise the work closely, verify every part relied on, resolve omissions and exceptions, and approve the exact output. |
Checklist
- Open each relied-on authority independently. Confirm its existence, current status, proposition and any quotation or pinpoint reference.
- Review operative clauses in the complete document, including definitions, cross-references, schedules and inconsistencies with the instructions.
- Confirm the output against the client’s instructions and the complete relevant source material, including omissions or contradictions.
- Resolve exceptions and record the responsible lawyer’s approval of the exact output and intended use.