Contract Vehicles for Agile

Contract Vehicles & Use of Existing IT Contracts

Are IDIQ contracts the only contract vehicle responsive enough to support the flexibility needed in Agile software development processes?

No. Contracts utilizing an Agile software development methodology may be used with any contract type, subject to limitations permitted by the contractual method as described in FAR Part 12.

OMB’s 2012 Contracting Guidance to Support Modular Development states that IDIQ contracts may be especially suitable for Agile software development because they provide a high level of acquisition responsiveness, provide flexibility, and accommodate the full spectrum of the system lifecycle that provide both development and operational products and services. However, there are other suitable arrangements. For example, BPAs may work with Agile software development using modular contracting methods. Additionally, stand-alone contracts or single award contracts may be used.

To avoid duplication, are agencies limited to only using existing enterprise-wide contracts for IT? What happens when existing contract vehicles do not provide for Agile software development services?

Acquisition professionals need to make a determination whether an existing contract vehicle supports Agile software development. If existing contract vehicles do not support Agile software development or have limitations, then other contract vehicles should be used.

Per FAR 8.002 and 8.004, agencies should be evaluating whether existing contract vehicles are suitable before creating new ones. Many agencies have established enterprise-wide contracts to reduce duplicative contract actions for a wide range of IT needs. That said, if a contract does not effectively support Agile software development because contract holders do not have the requisite expertise with Agile software development processes, or other limitations on the contract vehicles, COs should follow agency procedures to document why the existing contract vehicle does not meet the particular requirements and why a new contract vehicle is necessary.

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Existing Vehicles

As agile methods have become increasingly popular in the public sector, agencies have responded by creating large, multiple award contracts and governmentwide vehicles. We are creating a registry of these vehicles on our Contract Solutions & Vehicles page.

Additional resources

• Contract Solutions & Vehicles

  Streamline your acquisition with Contract Solutions & Vehicles.

• Statement of Objectives (SOO)

  Use this Statement of Objectives Template on our Templates & Samples page as a foundation for your contract design.

• Salesforce Support

  Find GSA Schedule Vendors for Salesforce Implementation and Integration Support on GSA eLibrary.

Next: Performance Based Contracting