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Government Contracting — Glossary

544 terms explained in plain language. From FAR to FPDS, every acronym and concept in federal procurement.

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Process (208)Metric (75)Regulation (74)Agency (71)Contract Type (62)Certification (20)Status (15)Data Source (11)Acronym (8)
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Process(208 terms)

340bA-E Services(Architect-Engineer)ACAT(Acquisition Category)AcceptanceAcquisition PlanAdjectival RatingsAGILEAuthority to ConnectBAA(Broad Agency Announcement)BAFO(Best and Final Offer)Best ValueBest Value TradeoffBilateral ModificationBlack Hat ReviewBlue TeamBONDINGBoundary ProtectionCAC(Common Access Card)Capability StatementCapture PlanCategory Management EoCCAS(Contingency Contract Administration Services)CDM(Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation)CDR(Critical Design Review)CDRL(Contract Data Requirements List, DD Form 1423)CFP(Contractor-Furnished Property)Change OrderClaimClarificationsClinical TrialCLINS(Contract Line Item Numbers)Cloud ComputingCloud SmartColor RatingsCombined Synopsis SolicitationCommercial Item DeterminationCompetitive RangeConsent to SubcontractConstructive ChangeContinuous MonitoringContracting Officer(The Contracting Officer)Cooperative AgreementCost Share(or matching)Cost VolumeCOTR(Contracting Officer's Technical Representative)CUI(Controlled Unclassified Information)Cure NoticeDCS(Direct Commercial Sales)DD Form 254DebarmentDebriefingDesign-Bid-BuildDesign-BuildDevSecOpsDiffering Site ConditionsDiscussionsDPAS(Defense Priorities and Allocations System)Economy ActEHR(Electronic Health Record)EINSTEINEquitable AdjustmentEvaluation CriteriaEvaluation FactorsFinal Proposal RevisionFOA(Funding Opportunity Announcement)Foreign Military SalesGate ReviewGFE(Government-Furnished Equipment)GFI(Government-Furnished Information)GFP(Government-Furnished Property)GMP(Good Manufacturing Practices)Gold TeamGovernment PropertyGPC(Government Purchase Card)GrantIFB(Invitation for Bid)IL(Impact Level)Incident Response PlanIncumbentIndustry DayInsider Threat ProgramInteragency AgreementIOT&E(Initial Operational Test and Evaluation)IRAD(Independent Research and Development)J&A(Justification and Approval)JCIDS(Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System)Joint VentureJWOD(formerly JWOD — Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act)Key PersonnelLEED(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)Limitation on SubcontractingLiquidated DamagesLowest Price Technically AcceptableLPTA(Lowest Price Technically Acceptable)LRIP(Low-Rate Initial Production)Market ResearchMentor-Protege ProgramMicro-PurchaseMicro-Purchase Threshold(The micro-purchase threshold)ModificationMPT(Micro-Purchase Threshold)MRO(Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul)Name Change AgreementNOFO(Notice of Funding Opportunity)Nonmanufacturer RuleNOVATIONOCONUS(Outside Continental United States)Option ExerciseOral PresentationOrganizational Conflict of InterestOrganizational StructureOTA(Other Transaction Authority)OTA (Defense)OTE(Operational Test and Evaluation)Partial Set-AsidePast PerformancePast Performance EvaluationPayment BondPDR(Preliminary Design Review)Penetration TestingPerformance BondPHI(Protected Health Information)Pink TeamPIV(Personal Identity Verification)POA&M(Plan of Action and Milestones)PPBE(Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution)Pre-Award SurveyPre-Solicitation ConferenceProcurement ForecastProtestPTAC(Procurement Technical Assistance Center)PWS(Performance Work Statement)QASP(Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan)Quality Assurance Surveillance PlanQui TamRatificationREA(Request for Equitable Adjustment)ReciprocityRecompeteRed TeamRequirements DocumentResponsibilityResponsibility DeterminationReverse AuctionRFI(Request for Information)RFP(Request for Proposal)RFQ(Request for Quotation)RMF(Risk Management Framework, NIST SP 800-37)Sample TaskSBIR(Small Business Innovation Research)SBIR(Small Business Innovation Research)SBOM(Software Bill of Materials)SCIF(Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility)SDR(System Design Review)Section H(Special Contract Requirements)Section L(Instructions to Offerors)Section M(Evaluation Criteria)Security Assessment ReportSecurity Control AssessmentShow Cause NoticeShreddingSimplified Acquisition Threshold(The Simplified Acquisition Threshold)Single AuditSize ProtestSize StandardSmall Business Subcontracting PlanSocioeconomic ProgramsSOFA(Status of Forces Agreement)Software FactorySole Source JustificationSOO(Statement of Objectives)Source SelectionSource Selection Decision Document(The Source Selection Decision Document)Source Selection PlanSources SoughtSOW(Statement of Work)SPECSpecial Access ProgramSSA(Source Selection Authority)SSEB(Source Selection Evaluation Board)STIG(Security Technical Implementation Guide)Stop Work Order(Stop-Work Order)Strategic SourcingSTTR(Small Business Technology Transfer)Subcontracting GoalsSubcontracting PlanSubfactorsSupply Chain Risk Management(Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management)SuspensionSYNOPSISSystem Security PlanTeaming AgreementTechnical VolumeTEP(Technical Evaluation Panel)Termination for ConvenienceTermination for DefaultTIC(Trusted Internet Connection)Total Small Business Set-AsideTransition PlanUnauthorized CommitmentUNICOR(Federal Prison Industries)Unilateral ModificationVulnerability ScanningWARRANTYWeaknesses and DeficienciesWin ThemeZero Trust(Zero Trust Architecture)Zero Trust Architecture

Metric(75 terms)

Adequate Accounting SystemAllocable CostAllowable CostAppropriationAuthorizationBase YearBudget AuthorityCAS(Cost Accounting Standards)Color of MoneyCommercial Item ExceptionContinuing ResolutionCost Accounting SystemCost AnalysisCost RealismCost Realism AnalysisCost ReasonablenessCountry of OriginDe-ObligationDemand SignalDisclosure StatementEvaluated PriceEVM(Earned Value Management)Fee(or profit)Fiscal Year(federal Fiscal Year)Forward Pricing Rate AgreementForward Pricing Rate ProposalFringe BenefitsFringe RateFull FundingFY(Fiscal Year)G&A Rate(General and Administrative)General and AdministrativeGovernment ShutdownHubzone Price Evaluation PreferenceIFF(Industrial Funding Fee)Incremental FundingIncurred Cost SubmissionIndirect Cost RateIndirect Rate(fringe, overhead, G&A)Indirect Rate Structure(fringe, overhead, G&A)Labor CategoryLOA(Letter of Offer and Acceptance)Loaded Rate(or fully burdened rate)MILCON(Military Construction)NICRA(Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement)NTE(Not-to-Exceed)O&M(Operations and Maintenance)ObligationODC(Other Direct Costs)OffsetOMNIBUSOption YearOUTLAYOVERHEADOverhead RatePOP(Period of Performance)Prevailing WagePrice AnalysisPrice ReasonablenessProcurement AppropriationProfit AnalysisProvisional Billing RateQualifying CountryRate EscalationRDTE(Research, Development, Test & Evaluation)Reasonable CostSequestrationShould CostSpecialty MetalsUncompensated OvertimeUnfunded Requirements ListWage DeterminationWBS(Work Breakdown Structure)Wosb Sole-Source ThresholdWrap Rate(or fully burdened rate)

Regulation(74 terms)

2 Cfr 200Anti-Kickback ActAntideficiency ActBerry AmendmentBona Fide Need RuleBrooks ActBuy AmericanByrd AmendmentCares Act(Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, 2020)Certified Cost or Pricing DataChips ActCICA(Competition in Contracting Act, 1984)Clinger Cohen ActContract Disputes ActCost or Pricing DataCybersecurity EoData Act(Digital Accountability and Transparency Act, 2014)Davis-BaconDFARS(Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement)EAR(Export Administration Regulations)Ethics Training RequirementFalse Claims ActFAR(Federal Acquisition Regulation)FAR Part 12FAR Part 13FAR Part 15FAR Part 16FAR Part 19FAR Part 31FAR Part 32FAR Part 33FAR Part 36FAR Part 37FAR Part 42FAR Part 43FAR Part 45FAR Part 46FAR Part 49FAR Part 52FAR Part 8FARA(Federal Acquisition Reform Act, 1996)FASA(Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act, 1994)FedRAMP(Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program)FIPS 140-2FIPS 199FISMA(Federal Information Security Modernization Act)FITARA(Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act, 2014)Gift RulesHIPAA(Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)Hspd-12Inflation Reduction ActInfrastructure Investment and Jobs ActITAR(International Traffic in Arms Regulations)Made in AmericaMandatory Disclosure RuleMiller ActNDAA(National Defense Authorization Act)NISPOM(National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual)NIST(National Institute of Standards and Technology)NIST SP 800-171NIST SP 800-53Post-Employment RestrictionsProcurement Integrity ActRevolving DoorSection 508Section 804Section 889Service Contract ActTINA(Truth in Negotiations Act)Trade Agreements ActTruth in NegotiationsUniform GuidanceWalsh-Healey ActWhistleblower Protection

Agency(71 terms)

Air ForceARMYASBCA(Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals)CBCA(Civilian Board of Contract Appeals)CBO(Congressional Budget Office)CBP(Customs and Border Protection)CDC(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)CENSUSCIGIE(Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency)CISA(Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency)CMS(Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)Coast GuardCOFC(Court of Federal Claims)COMMERCEDARPA(Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency)DAU(Defense Acquisition University)DCAA(Defense Contract Audit Agency)DCMA(Defense Contract Management Agency)DCSA(Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency)DHS(Department of Homeland Security)DISA(Defense Information Systems Agency)DLA(Defense Logistics Agency)DoD(Department of Defense)DOE(Department of Energy)DOI(Department of the Interior)DOJ(Department of Justice)DOL(Department of Labor)DOS(Department of State)DOT(Department of Transportation)DTRA(Defense Threat Reduction Agency)EducationEPA(Environmental Protection Agency)FAA(Federal Aviation Administration)FAI(Federal Acquisition Institute)FBI(Federal Bureau of Investigation)FDA(Food and Drug Administration)FEMA(Federal Emergency Management Agency)FHWA(Federal Highway Administration)GAO(Government Accountability Office)GSA(General Services Administration)GSA(General Services Administration)HHS(Department of Health and Human Services)HUD(Department of Housing and Urban Development)ICE(Immigration and Customs Enforcement)IRS(Internal Revenue Service)MARINESMDA(Missile Defense Agency)NASA(National Aeronautics and Space Administration)NAVFAC(Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command)NAVYNGA(National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency)NIH(National Institutes of Health)NOAA(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)NRO(National Reconnaissance Office)NSA(National Security Agency)ODNI(Office of the Director of National Intelligence)OFPP(Office of Federal Procurement Policy)OMB(Office of Management and Budget)OPM(Office of Personnel Management)PEO(Program Executive Officer)SBA(Small Business Administration)SBA(Small Business Administration)SOCOM(U.S. Special Operations Command)Space ForceTREASURYTSA(Transportation Security Administration)USACE(U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)USAID(U.S. Agency for International Development)USDA(Department of Agriculture)VA(Department of Veterans Affairs)VHA(Veterans Health Administration)

Contract Type(62 terms)

8(a) STARS IIIAlliant 2Alliant 3BIC(Best-in-Class)BOA(Basic Ordering Agreement)BPA(Blanket Purchase Agreement)BPA(Blanket Purchase Agreement)Bridge ContractCategory ManagementCIO-SP3CIO-SP4CIO-SP4CLIN(Contract Line Item Number)ContractContract VehicleCost Plus Award FeeCost Plus Fixed FeeCost Plus Incentive FeeCost ReimbursementCPAF(Cost Plus Award Fee)CPFF(Cost Plus Fixed Fee)CPIF(Cost Plus Incentive Fee)CTA(Contractor Team Arrangement)Delivery OrderEAGLE II(Enterprise Acquisition Gateway for Leading-Edge Solutions)EIS(Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions)ENCORE IIIFFP(Firm Fixed Price)Firm Fixed PriceFPI(Fixed Price Incentive)FSS(Federal Supply Schedule)GSA MAS(Multiple Award Schedule)GSA Schedule(General Services Administration Schedule)GWAC(Government-Wide Acquisition Contract)GWAC(Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts)IDIQ(Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity)Idiq CeilingITES(Information Technology Enterprise Solutions)ITES-SW2Labor HourLetter ContractLOGCAP(Logistics Civil Augmentation Program)MAC(Multiple Award Contract)MAS(Multiple Award Schedule)NITAACOASIS(One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services)PACTS III(Professional, Administrative, and Clerical Testing Services)Performance Based Contract(Performance-Based Contract)POLARISPoolSeaPort NxG(Next Generation)Set-Aside(Small Business Set-Aside)SEWP(Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement)SEWP VISIN(Special Item Number)Sole SourceT&M(Time and Materials)T4NGTask OrderTime and MaterialsUndefinitized Contract ActionVETS 2

Certification(20 terms)

8(a)(8(a) Business Development Program)8(a) GraduationATO(Authority to Operate)Certificate of CompetencyCMMC(Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification)CMMC Level 2EDWOSB(Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business)FAC-C(Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting)FAC-COR(Federal Acquisition Certification for Contracting Officer's Representatives)FAC-PPM(Federal Acquisition Certification for Program and Project Managers)FedRAMP AuthorizationFedRAMP HighFedRAMP LowFedRAMP ModerateHUBZone(Historically Underutilized Business Zone)IATO(Interim Authority to Operate)SDB(Small Disadvantaged Business)SDVOSB(Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business)VOSB(Veteran-Owned Small Business)WOSB(Women-Owned Small Business)

Status(15 terms)

Affiliation RulesAlternative Dispute ResolutionClearance RequirementConflict of InterestExcluded Parties(Excluded Parties List System)Final DecisionH-1b VisaOCI(Organizational Conflict of Interest)Ostensible Subcontractor RulePCI(Personal Conflict of Interest)Personal Services ContractSca Wage Determination(Service Contract Act)Security ClassificationSmall Business Set-AsideSuspension and Debarment

Data Source(11 terms)

CPARS(Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System)ESRSFAPIIS(Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System)FPDS(Federal Procurement Data System)Grants.govGsa Advantage(gsaadvantage.gov)Gsa Ebuy(GSA eBuy is a request for quotation)PPIRS(Past Performance Information Retrieval System)SAM Registration (Grants)SPRS(Supplier Performance Risk System)USAspending(USAspending.gov)

Acronym(8 terms)

CAGE(Commercial and Government Entity Code)CO(Contracting Officer)COR(Contracting Officer's Representative)DUNS(Data Universal Numbering System)NAICS(North American Industry Classification System)PSC(Product Service Code)SAM.gov(System for Award Management)UEI(Unique Entity Identifier)

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