Department of the Interior Acquisition Policy Release (DIAPR) 1999-9

SUBJECT: Department of the Interior Contracting Officers Warrant Manual-Class Deviation

1. Purpose:

This policy release provides a class deviation to the warrant manual (See DIAPR 1997-4) covering the appointment of non-procurement personnel to act as ordering officials under the General Services Administration's (GSA) FTS 2001 contract for telecommunications services.

2. Effective Date:

Immediately

3. Expiration Date:

Expiration or termination of GSA's MCI WorldCom contract for FTS2001 services.

4. Background:

The Department of the Interior selected MCI WorldCom's (MCIW) contract with GSA as its FTS2001 source for replacing telecommunication services presently provided through AT&Ts FTS2000 contract. The contract number is GSA 00T99NRD2002. While it is a nonmandatory contract, the Department has committed to transition all FTS2000 services to the FTS2001/MCIW contract. Procedures are underway to make the transition to the new contract. As with the FTS2000 contract, GSA will continue to provide technical and administrative support and oversee its FTS 2001 contracts.

There are two options for FTS2001 billing, direct and centralized. All orders may be placed directly with MCIW by authorized ordering officials through its electronic ordering system called FTSNet or any of the other contract approved ordering procedures. As orders are placed, an option must be selected either for direct billing to a bureau or for centralized billing through GSA.

When the centralized billing option is selected, GSA is responsible for administration, payment and procurement data reporting. GSA uses the On-line Payment and Collection System (OPAC) for drawing funds from agencies and agencies receive supporting documentation for post-payment verification and approval.

If an ordering official selects the direct billing option, a purchase order number from the respective bureau procurement office must be assigned, bureau funds must be obligated to cover the cost and the ordering bureau, not GSA, becomes responsible for Interior Procurement Data System/Federal Procurement Data System reporting.

Under the contract, an ordering officer is called a Designed Agency Representative (DAR). These officers may not order from the contract until they have been authorized to do so through Interior's warrant system by Bureau Procurement Chief.

Under Interior's Warrant Manual, Section III, G. Ordering Officers, - "Bureaus may establish procedures to delegate authority to non-warranted individuals to place orders against their own bureau indefinite delivery contracts where fixed terms and prices are established in the contract. Ordering officers do not have authority to negotiate or determine price reasonableness."

5. Action:

Bureau Procurement Chiefs (BPCs) are hereby authorized to deviate from Department of the Interior Contracting Officers Warrant Manual, Section III, G. Ordering Officers to appoint non-procurement personnel as ordering officers on the MCI WorldCom Contract GSA 00T99NRD2002, without a dollar value ceiling, subject to the following limitations:

a. Ordering through the MCIW electronic ordering and billing system called FTSNet is subject to GSA'a final approval of the system for those purposes.

b. Completion of MCIW DAR training.

c. Ordering only services contained in MCIW FTS2001 contract.

d. Authorization to select the direct billing option is subject to training, in addition to Designated Agency Representative training, regarding the obligation of funds, use of purchase orders and use of nonmandatory Federal Supply Schedules, Interior Procurement Data System (IPDS) reporting and any other related subjects as determined by the BPCs.

e. Ordering authority limitations are to be established through individual appointment letters from BPCs.

BPC notification to MCIW of the appointment of Ordering Officers/Designated Agency Representatives on this contract is to be made through: Mr. James E. Dolezal, Chief Telecommunication Systems Division, Office of Information Resources Management, on (202) 208-5002, FAX (202)219-2328, e-mail address: james_dolezal@os.doi.gov.

A sample appointment letter is attached providing a suggested format which may be modified to suit your needs. Any questions on this policy release may be directed to me on (202) 208-3433.

Dean A Titcomb, Acting Director Office of Acquisition and Property Management

Attachment

cc: Daryl White, PIR
Jim Dolezal, PIR
Rick Delph, PIR