GCS Overview
GCS Fact Sheet
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a federal statute that allows individuals to request access to federal agency records, except to the extent records are claimed as exempt from disclosure under one or more of the nine (9) exemptions of the Freedom of Information Act. If you have any questions or concerns regarding FOIA, please feel free to send an email to FOIA@acf.hhs.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where can I find the ACF Unauthorized Commitments Process Guide?
A: The ACF Unauthorized Commitments Process Guide is located in the AMB's folder under ACF-GCS-AMB-2021-04â
Q: Please advise the policy/directive that provides the threshold for OSDBU signatures on the AP?
A: âIAW HHSAR 319.201(e) (1) The HHS OSDBU Director shall exercise full management authority over the small business program. The small business specialist (SBS) shall review and make recommendations for all acquisitions, unless exempted by statute, that are not being set aside for small business in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 19.502. The review must take place prior to issuing the solicitation.â
Q: Who is the point of contact is to gain access to CPARS/PPIRS?
âA: CPARS access to view performance and integrity records can be requested at https://cpars.cpars.gov/cpars/app/accessrequestverify_input.action?role=PPR â
Q: Does the HCA need to review/approve the complete pre-sol folder or the Single Award IDIQ D&F only?
âA: Please see the AMB ACF-GCS-AMB-2022-03. Under the temporary Procurement authority all procurements (entire package) greater than or equal to $4m will need to be routed through the HCA for approval. â
Q: Are Limited Source Justification (LSJ) necessary for in scope modifications that are not considered to be a cardinal change such as significantly increasing the period of performance or contract consideration by more than 25% of the contract value?
âA: Generally, a LSJ would not be necessary for a within scope modification. Are there other changes being made that would cause a CICA concern? Either way, it is recommended to prepare a scope determination for your file.â
Q: Does this Agency have a five-day advance notice for Congressional Notifications?
âA: GCS does not have an internal policy requiring five-day advance notice for Congressional Notifications.â
Q: What documents are required to exercise an option?
âA: The contractor responsibility requirement would be done at the base and exercise of each option IAW with FAR 17.207 (c) (5-7):
“(c) The contracting officer may exercise options only after determining that-
(1) Funds are available;
(2) The requirement covered by the option fulfills an existing Government need;
(3) The exercise of the option is the most advantageous method of fulfilling the Government's need, price and other factors (see paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section) considered;
(4) The option was synopsized in accordance with part 5 unless exempted by 5.202(a)(11) or other appropriate exemptions in 5.202;
(5) The contractor does not have an active exclusion record in the System for Award Management (see FAR 9.405-1);
(6) The contractor's past performance evaluations on other contract actions have been considered; and
(7) The contractor's performance on this contract has been acceptable, e.g., received satisfactory ratings."
Q: When is Congressional Notification required?
âA: Congressional notification is required over $4.5M in accordance with HHS PGI Subpart 305.3—Synopses of Contract Awards
305.303 Announcement of contract awards.
Public Announcement. The Contracting Officer shall report awards over $4.5 million, not otherwise exempt under FAR 5.303, to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Legislation (OASL) (Congressional Liaison). The Contracting Officer shall e-mail a copy of the contract or award document face page to grantfax@hhs.gov prior to the day of award or in sufficient time to allow OASL to make an announcement by 5 p.m. Washington, DC time on the day of award.â
Contact Us
Government Contracting Services
Administration for Children and Families
330 C Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20201
Email: gcs@acf.hhs.gov