Department of the Interior Acquisition Policy Release (DIAPR) 2005-01, Amendment 1

SUBJECT: Authorization of Direct Awards to 8(a) Contractors

1. Purpose:

The purpose of this DIAPR is to notify contracting personnel that the current Partnership Agreement with the Small Business Administration (SBA) has been extended.

2. Effective Date:

Effective upon issuance.

3. Expiration:

This policy release shall remain in effect for each bureau until issuance of a new Partnership Agreement.

4. Background and Explanation:

The current Partnership Agreement redelegates to warranted contracting officers the authority to award contracts directly to program participants under the 8(a) Program. This document was set to expire on September 30, 2006. The SBA is in the process of drafting new partnership agreements and issuing them to agencies, but more time is needed to complete this process. In the meantime the SBA has issued the attached letter dated September 26 extending the current Agreement until a new one can be executed.

5. Action Required:

Immediate distribution of this policy release to all contracting officers.


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