Finding a Source - Services

With the exception of certain specialized acquisitions specified in the FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) 8.002, the agency shall satisfy requirements for services in the following order.

Priority Sources
With the exception of certain specialized acquisitions specified in the FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) 8.002, the agency shall satisfy requirements for services in the following order. Acquisition personnel are required to check these sources before purchasing on the open market.

NIH Indefinite Delivery Contracts
Committee for Purchase From People who are Blind or Severely Disabled
Federal Supply Schedules
NIH Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPA's)
UNICOR/Federal Prison Industries

Commercial Sources
Open market sources that include commercial businesses, as well as educational and nonprofit institutions, whose services are not covered by the mandatory sources listed above. Use of an open market source is then permitted.

NIH Sources
Chief Information Officer โ€“ Solutions And Partners 3 (CIO-SP3)
Scientific Equipment Services (BEIP)
NIH Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPA's) - "O" Vendors

Other Open Market Sources