What Are The Acronyms Of Government Solicitations

Government Acronyms and Abbreviations Commonly found in Solicitations.
For additional Government definitions - acronyms click here.

• TERM / ABBREVIATION

  • DEFINITION

A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

• ABVS - Automated Best Value System:

  • A calculated formula that assesses past performance based on quality, delivery and packaging performance. Automated Best Value System - (ABVS) is an evaluation factor and may be the basis for award at other than the lowest price. Vendors with no history are scored 999.99 with no negative impact. Maximum possible score is 100. Score is not a percentage.
     

• Administrator Code:

  • Like a Buyer Code, this is a code assigned to each Post Award Administrator. It is generally referenced on the cover sheet of the award along with the DSC address in block identifying contract "Issued By". Once an award has been made, any questions or actions should be directed to the Post Award Administrator cited on the contract.
     

• AID - Acquisition Item Description

  • Also referred to in the past as PID (Procurement Item Description). It is how you identify the items and includes the reference to the National Stock Number (NSN), Item Name and descriptive data.
     

• AIT - Automatic Identification Technologies

  • Single point of contact for acquisition support and technical expertise for Joint Services, Federal agencies, NATO, and multi-national forces. As an RFID technology leader, we provide global asset tracking, Web-based RF-ITV services, and complete program life cycle support.

  • Also referred to in the past as PID (Procurement Item Description). It is how you identify the items and includes the reference to the National Stock Number (NSN), Item Name and descriptive data.
     

• ANSI - American National Standards Institute

  • ANSI standards are sometimes referenced in the item description.
     

• ASFI - Army Single Face to Industry (ASFI)
  
   

• BAA - Broad Agency Announcement

  • A notice from the government that requests scientific or research proposals from private firms concerning certain areas of interest to the government. The proposals submitted by the private firms may lead to contracts.
     

• Bidset

  • A term used to describe the complete technical data package (TDPL) which is sufficient for procurement.
     

• BPA - Blanket Purchase Agreement

  • The Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) is an agreed to set of terms and conditions used to order products with small quantity demands regularly valuing less than $2500.00. The government has the right to issue delivery orders on an as needed basis. The DSCR section, which handles BPAs, establishes an NSN as a BPA candidate based on vendor identification and government criteria, and negotiates the contract terms. If more than one vendor is able to supply an item, contract opportunities are rotated among vendors. All delivery orders issued against the Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) are less than $3000.
     

• BSM Business Systems Modernization

  • A new computer program used by DLA to procure supplies. It will eventually replace the Procurement Gateway. The system is currently in testing and is to be phased in by 2006 with small releases of NSNs as time goes by. Currently, both BSM and the Procurement Gateway are being utilized to procure items
     

• Buyer Code

  • Every Buyer at DSCR is assigned a Buyer Code. The Buyer Code remains with the section where the Buyer is assigned to work therefore Buyers will change their Buyer Codes as they move from section to section. Always check to see that the Buyer Code is current. On the solicitation cover sheet, all buyer codes begin with PR. Ignore the PR when looking up the Buyer Code. PRBR776 is Buyer Code BR776.
     

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•  CAGE Code - Contractor and Government Entity code

  • A five-digit number assigned to a company to represent the company's physical address. It is used for mailing, payments and administrative records. A vendor cannot do business without a CAGE code.
     

• CBD - Commerce Business Daily

  • A publication used to announce Government solicitations valued over $100,000. The CBD contains basic information regarding the open solicitation but does not contain full terms and conditions.
     

• CCR - Central Contractor Registration

  •  A central registration point. No vendor can do business with the Federal Government until registration in the CCR is complete (and a CAGE code is assigned). The registration must be updated yearly and is separate from other local registrations required by individual agencies. At DSCR it is recommended you complete the PROFILE registration cited in the Procurement Gateway to enable quoting as well as provide notification of open solicitations and awards.
     

• CDD - Contract Delivery Date

  • The date of delivery required by a contract. Contract Delivery Date are specified on a line item basis.
     

• CDRL - Contract Data Requirements List

  • A list of authorized data requirements for a specific procurement that forms a part of the contract. It is comprised of either a single DD Form 1423, or a series of DD Forms 1423 (individual CDRL forms) containing data requirements and delivery information. The CDRL is the standard format for identifying potential data requirements in a solicitation, and deliverable data requirements in a contract. Subpart 215.470 of the DFARS requires the use of the CDRL in solicitations when the contract will require delivery of data.
    
    CDRLs should be linked directly to Statement of work ( SOW ) tasks and managed by the program office data manager. Data requirements can also be identified in the contract via Special Contract Clauses (e.g., DFARS), which define special data provisions (such as, Rights in Data, Warranty, etc.).
    
    The purpose of the Contract Data Requirements List  is to provide a standardized method of clearly and unambiguously delineating the Government's minimum essential data needs. The CDRL groups all of the data requirements in a single place rather than have them scattered throughout the solicitation or contract.
     

•  CFR - Code of Federal Regulations

  • A person assigned to oversee actions affecting competition including justifications for other than full and open competition and alternate offers.
     

• CLIN - Contract Line Item Number

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• COMPAD - Competition Advocate

  • A person assigned to oversee actions affecting competition including justifications for other than full and open competition and alternate offers.
     

• CONUS

  •  Refers to the continental United States. To state that delivery is CONUS is to say that delivery could be anywhere in the continental U.S.
     

• Customer Account Specialist - (CAS)

  •  The customer facing point of contact on the Integrated Customer Team (ICTs).
     

• Customer Direct DVD

  •  Procurement request that comes directly from a vendor.
     

• Customer Order - The Government ordering source is the Customer

  • The government source issues a Requisition.
     

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• DEPOT

  • The Army Depot Maintenance Enterprise consists of resource providers, acquisition and sustainment planners, and maintenance performers.
     

• DCMA - Defense Contract Management Agency

  •  The Agency that overseas administration of origin inspection contracts, dispatches QARs and audits/monitors subcontracting plans.
     

• Demand Planner

  • For customer demand and creates and maintains Demand Plans. Develops, enriches and publishes the final Demand Plan forecast. Part of Integrated Customer Team.
     

• DFAR - Dept of Defense FAR Supplement

  • Interpretation and regulations specifically for Department of Defense Procurement. Supplements FAR.
     

• DFAS - Defense Finance and Accounting Service

  • The government organization which issues payments to vendors. Located in Columbus, Ohio, DFAS issues payments in accordance with the terms of the contract. Payments are made by electronic fund transfer. The DFAS web site is www.dfas.mil
     

• DLA - Defense Logistics Agency

  • The Agency responsible for supplying military needs. The Agency is headquartered at Ft. Belvoir, Va and maintains several ICPs including DSCR, DSCP, DSCC, and DESC.

• DLIS - Defense Logistics Information Systems

  • The part of DLA that manages the data used by DLA supply centers. it is responsible for maintaining and collecting our data and serving as our database.
     

• Drawings

  • Some items at DSCR are required to be manufactured in accordance with a drawing. The drawing may have been designed by a government agency or a commercial vendor. If a drawing is cited in the AID, the vendor is responsible for assuring the product he offers meets the standards and requirements of the drawing.

• DSC- Defense Supply Centers.

  • Abbreviations for the Supply Centers which procure supplies for the Military. Each Supply Center manages different items. To see which Center manages which FSC, click on our web site, then Business Opportunities and Federal Supply Class Listings.

    • DSCR - DSCR = Defense Supply Center Richmond

    • DSCP (Formerly DISC) = Defense Supply Center Philadelphia

    • DSCC = Defense Supply Center Columbus
       

• DUNS Number

  • DUNS represents Data Universal Numbering System. This number is used to identify a business in its automated file. A DUNS number can be obtained by calling DUN & Bradstreet at 800-333-0505. You will need to provide the following information: company name, address, phone, date company established and number of employees. See Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
     

• DVD - Also referred to as Direct Delivery or Direct Vendor Delivery.

  • It indicates that material be shipped direct to the requisitioner. A DVD solicitation may cite, as a final destination, an overseas address for shipping, however vendors pay only for shipping within the USA and generally a US address is provided for vendor shipping.
     

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• EC

  •  Electronic Commerce
     

• EDI

  •  Electronic Data Interchange
     

• EFT

  •  Electronic Funds Transfer is a method of computerized transfer of funds from one bank account to another - commonly used for direct deposit. The Government requires all payments be made by EFT and all vendors must arrange with their banks to set up an EFT account number for the Government to use.
     

• ESA - Engineering Support Activity

  • The Military activity designated as responsible for the maintenance, review and approval of technical engineering data for a specific item. Each service has a specified ESA location.
     

• ESOC - Emergency Supply Operations Center

  • A group of personnel set apart exclusively to work high priority buys generally identified as non-mission capable status (NMCS -work stoppage, grounded aircraft etc.) A call from our ESOC group should prompt fast service and extra effort to meet urgent requirements.
     

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• FAR - Federal Acquisition Regulations

  • The FAR is the Bible for procurement supplies and services in the Federal Government.
     

• FAT - First Article Testing

  • A performance test required on certain items prior to manufacture. A specified sample of the product is tested and must be approved prior to manufacture of a full production run. Testing is generally extensive and expensive. Costs are identified in the solicitation response. FAT is generally associated with item descriptions citing a drawing but not all drawings require a FAT.
     

• FED BIZ OPPS

  • Fed Biz Opps is a website used by the Government to advertise solicitations valued over $100,000 for supplies or $25,000 for services. Vendors should use this site to identify items even if using the Procurement Gateway. Items publicized in Fed Biz Opps are published 30 days prior to solicitation issue.
     

• FMS - Foreign Military Sales

  •  Sales of component parts to foreign militaries based on agreements with the US Government. When quoting on an FMS solicitation, terms must be maintained as FOB Origin/Inspection Origin to assure prompt vendor payment and alleviate any concerns for shipping to an unknown destination.
     

• FOB - Freight on Board
   

• FOB Destination

  •  Refers to shipment. Destination means transportation cost is included in the cost of the item and vendor maintains responsibility for the item to the point of destination.
     

• FOB Origin

  • Refers to shipment. Origin means the transportation costs are not included. (Normally they would be prepaid and added as a separate line item to the invoice). The Government takes responsibility for the item from point of shipment. Note, most solicitations are issued with terms of FOB Destination. If Origin is then quoted, the government will estimate shipping costs and add the estimate to the quoted price for purposes of evaluation.
     

• FSC - Federal Stock Class

  • A term for the first four digits of an NSN. It identifies government procured commodities into broad categories. Defense Supply Center Management responsibilities are divided based on assignment of FSCs.
     

• FSCAP

  •  Flight Safety Critical Application Part
     

• FSCM - Federal Supply Code for Manufacturers

  •  Old term for CAGE code.
     

• FSG - Federal Supply Group

  • The first two digits of a four digit federal stock class (FSC) and therefore, the first two digits of an NSN. It is the broadest categorization of an item. For example FSG 14 is Guided Missiles, but FSC 1420 is missile components, while 1430 is Missile Remote Control Systems.
     

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• HCA - Head of the Contracting Activity

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• Hub and Spoke Network

  • Distribution network that allows vendors to ship new DLA materiel to any point in the network based on demand and supply plans. Materiel will be primarily bought to the Hubs (usually Tracy CA and Susquehanna PA) pushed to the Spokes.
     

• HUBZ or HUBZONE

  • a Hubzone is Small Business set aside designation.
     

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• IAW or I / A/W

  • In Accordance With
     

• IFB - Invitation for Bid

  • A term used for formal solicitations, valued over $100,000 on competitive items where vendors are required to quote to exact Government requirements with no exception and bids are opened in a public forum, exposing prices. Award is based on price alone. Few solicitations are issued at DSCR under an IFB. IFB solicitations contain a "B" in the solicitation number such as SP0480-99-B-2379.
     

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• Julian Date

  • A date based on the Julian Calendar. It refers to the date based on the number of days in a year. The Julian date consists of five digits. The first two identify the year. The last three identify the day of the year (from day 1 to day 365). For 1999 the Julian date begins with 99, for 2000 it begins 00. Julian date 00023 would be Jan 23, 2000. Julian date 99345 would be Dec 11, 1999.
     

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• NAICS

  • Short for the North American Industry Classification System, a set of industry categories standardized between the U.S. and Canada. In the U.S. it is taking over from the SIC code system. It is used to classify establishments by the type of activity in which they are primarily engaged and to promote the comparability of establishment data describing various facets of the U.S. economy.
     

• NIIN - National Item Identification Number

  • The second of two main parts of the National Stock Number. (See NSN.) The NIIN is unique with no two items having the same NIIN. An item can be tracked in technical files using just the NIIN. Contract files require the full NSN to track information.
     

• NMCS - Non-mission capable status

  • Indicates that the requisitioner in the field cannot complete his mission without the requested part. It is the most urgent of all status requests.
     

• Nomenclature

  •  Another Term for Item (noun) name
     

• NSN - National Stock Number

  • A government tracking number consisting of a Federal Stock Class (FSC) and a National Item Identification Number (NIIN). The number is used by requisitioners to identify the item needed and is associated with all buys related to that item. More than one part number may be associated with an NSN however all parts associated will have to be the same in fit, form and function. A National Stock number breaks down as follows: 6150-00-234-5967 61= FSG 6150=FSC 00=Country assigning the NSN 234-5967=serial number 00-234-5967=NIIN
     

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• Material Group

  •  Federal Supply Class (FSC)
     

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•  OCONUS

  • Refers to the geographic area outside the United States. While shipment may be destined for a location outside the USA, vendors are given a CONUS address for the first point of shipment and do not pay costs for shipment beyond Continental U.S. borders.
     

• Outline Agreement

  •  Long Term Contract
     

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• PID - Procurement Item Description

  • Referred to now as AID - Acquisition Item Description
    
     

• P/N - Part Number

  • Associated with a manufacturer, drawing or specification. It may be part of an item description.
     

• Personnel Titles Commodity Services

  • A term referring to the Equipment Specialist Branch of personnel. Equipment Specialists function as both Technicians and Quality Assurance. Procurement Branch of personnel refers to both Pre and Post Award personnel. Pre-Award personnel are Buyers, handling buys from initiation of a purchase request to point of award. Post Award personnel are Administrators, handling all issues from point of award to Payment. Item Managers determine the amount of material to be procured, generate the buys and track backorders. They occasionally assist in expediting contracts.
     

• Plant

  •  Another term for Depot
     

• Purchase Request Number PR Number

  • A number assigned to a purchase request when it is initiated. It stays with a requirement from time of inception to final payment. It is the best reference number for tracking purposes. A purchase request at DSCR begins with a YPG, NPG, FPG, RPG, ARG or similar reference and contains 11 digits after that. The first five digits are a Julian Date, created when the purchase request was initiated, and the remainder is a serial number, that begins with 000001 each day.

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• QAP - Quality Assurance Provision

  • Every buy, which contains origin inspection requirements, cites a QAP to detail the inspection levels and standards required. Copies of all QAPs are available on the DSCR web site. Click on "Business Opportunities", then on "Quality Assurance Provisions".
     

• QPL - Quality Products List

  • A list of pre-tested, qualified manufacturers and products as they relate to a specific military specification. A solicitation specifying a QPL restriction requires contractors to supply only the source and part number specified on the QPL list.

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• RDD - Required Delivery Date

  • The date the requisitioner needed to have the item.
     

• RFP - Request for Proposal

  • A formal negotiated solicitation issued for buys over $100,000 and resulting in a formal contract (as opposed to a purchase order). A solicitation closing time is set and late offers are unacceptable unless they meet the guidelines of FAR part 15. Offers remain sealed until closing date and are not exposed until award is made and an abstract is distributed. Vendors should always obtain a formal copy of an RFP before attempting to make an offer. RFP solicitations contain an "R" in the solicitation number such as SP0441-00-R-2345
     

• RFQ - Request for Quotation

  • Used as a term for simplified acquisition solicitations. Resulting in a purchase order, the vendor presents terms and the government makes an offer (a purchase order) which is accepted by the act of fulfillment of the order. It is not a bilateral contract.

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• SDV - Service Disabled Veteran
   

•  Set - Aside

  •  A solicitation set-aside for award to small business. Set aside decisions are based on anticipated response to a solicitation and are recommended/approved prior to soliciting.
     

• SCI - Supply Chain Integration http://www.acq.osd.mil/log/rfid/index.htm

  • The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Supply Chain Integration) is responsible for leading the implementation of a modern and integrated materiel supply chain process that fully supports military operational requirements. The end goal of this initiative is to promote customer confidence in the DoD logistics process by building a responsive, cost-effective capacity to provide required products and services to the Warfighter
     

• Solicitation Number

  •  A number assigned to a purchase request when it is solicited. The solicitation number begins with SP0 and is used to reference the intended buy from the initiation of solicitation to evaluation for award. Each Supply Center is assigned it's own SP0 number. To distinguish whether a buy was initiated by a specific Center look at the SP0: SP0400 series = DSCR, SP0500 series = DSCP, SP0700 and SP0900 series = DSCC. The middle digits indicate the Fiscal Year (FY) that the solicitation was issued. The next letter refers to the type of solicitation issued: T= Automated Small Purchase (under $100K). Q= Manual Small Purchase (under $100K) X= Express Quote R= Request For Proposal (over $100K) B= Invitation for Bid (over $100K)
     

• SOW - Statement of Work

  • A specific statement regarding the requirements needed in a service contract. The statement of work should include all aspects of job requirements, performance and assessment.
     

• Specs - Specifications

  •  Some items at DSCR are required to be manufactured in accordance with a specification. The specification may be designated as a Federal Specification ( Fed-Spec- applicable to all military services), a Military Specification (Mil-Spec - used by a specific service) or a commercial specification such as NAS or ANSI. If a specification is cited in the AID, the vendor is responsible for assuring the product he offers meets the requirements of the specification.
     

• Stock

  •  Material being stored in a Depot for later shipment to a requisitioner. A stock buy is one being shipped to a depot and will require full bar coding (logmars) labels.
     

• Supplier Planner

  •  Plans for supply requirements and creates and maintains Supply Plans. Part of Integrated Supplier Team
     

• Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)

  •  Management of relationships between DLA and selected suppliers. Managers will manage these suppliers to the levels of performance and performance targets specified in their contracts.
     

• Surplus Material

  •  Material which is procured from a Government facility under the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office (DRMO) Sales process. Certification of material history is required with the quotation/offer and may or may not be acceptable upon technical evaluation. Material from commercial vendors, which has not previously been sold to the Government, is not considered surplus material.

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• TDMD - Technical Data Management Division

  • The DSCR branch responsible for review, maintenance and distribution of drawings associated with DSCR managed items. For points of contact go to the DSCR web site and click on "Business Opportunities", then on "Technical Data Management Division".
     

• TDPL - Technical Data Parts List.

  • The first package you want to request when considering whether to bid on a solicitation or not. The TDPL contains data necessary to perform contract. Drawing references, will frequently carry a referenced TDPL number. This is a number assigned to the entire package of drawings required to make the item. It contains the basic and supplemental drawings. Referring to a TDPL can eliminate the risk of getting only a basic drawing when supplemental data is required. A TDPL is not a drawing in and of itself but a complete package of data.
     

• Technical Data

  • Technical Data may or may not be available on items purchased at the DSC's. Typically, part numbered items do not have available technical data, and any vendor wanting to offer an alternate product will have to supply both his data and any data he can obtain on the part in the AID. Specifications and drawings are publicly available. If a drawing is cited however in a source controlled AID, the Government does not have/provide drawings. The OEM cited in the AID is responsible for release of the drawing and approval of sources. DSCR makes competitive drawing packages available on its web site.
     

• TIN Number -  Taxpayer Identification Number

  • (TIN) is an employer identification number assigned by the IRS when registering a company to do business in the US. It is required by CFR 301.6109.1 Newly formed companies can obtain a TIN by calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.
     

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• U/I -  Unit of Issue.

  •  Common Units of Issue include:

    • AY = assembly

    • BG = bag

    • BX = Box

    • CN = can

    • CY = cylinder

    • DZ = dozen

    • EA = each

    • GL = gallon

    • KT = kit

    • LT = Lot

    • PK = package

    • PR = pair

    • QT = quart

    • RO = roll

    • TU = tube.
       

• Unfulfilled Order

  • Backorder
     

• Unrestricted

  •  A term used to describe a solicitation in which both large and small businesses may compete for award.
    
     

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