Federal Procurement Overview
Disclaimer: This is a broad overview of UNICOR and the Federal procurement process. There are many exceptions - Civilian agency procurement differs from defense department procurement; some agencies have Blanket Purchase Agreements and contracts with UNICOR for specific products or broad categories, etc. For more details, please contact your agency procurement officials and the latest Federal Acquisition Regulations.
In general, federal procurement from UNICOR runs through these phases:
- Is UNICOR an eligible vendor?
- Schedule of Products: Review the UNICOR Schedule of products to determine IF UNICOR is active in a specific market segment and if so, are we a mandatory source or just a competitive vendor. Look up the status for the relevant Federal Supply Code or description (look up the description alphabetically or view the entire UNICOR schedule of products and services and search (Ctrl-F) on your desktop browser).
- Mandatory: Federal customers are required to give procurement priority to UNICOR when we are able to provide the desired product within the required time frame, and at a competitive price. You must include us in the Market Research phase.
- Competitive: UNICOR must compete for Federal purchases just as any other private sector offerer. You may include us in the Market Research phase and continue.
- Market Research: You know that UNICOR is capable of producing the general type of product or services desired. Does UNICOR make the types of products with features, capabilities, prices, and lead times that you need? You will typically find information online about all of UNICOR's products and services but some are described as general capabilities and others may have specific products available for purchase online. If you are uncertain of our capabilities, please contact us with your desired requirements. ("Buy 3 Brand-X desks" is not a valid set of requirements but "3 desks about 72" x 30" with a wood stain finish, etc.). If UNICOR is a Mandatory vendor then you must proceed.
- Request a Quotation: You may send us your requirements and request a quotation - fill out the form and we will provide you with a quotation or a 'no-bid'. Select your vendor per your agency's procurement guidelines including the UNICOR Mandatory Source requirements
- Purchase or Request a Waiver
- If UNICOR is a mandatory source and came back with a competitive price and a reasonable delivery time frame but you still do not wish to purchase from us; you may request a waiver with your justification. For many types of purchases, the waiver is essentially automatic.
- Purchase - you may purchase online if everything on your quote is sold online, or call/e-mail our customer service center.