Recovery Act Contracting

By Robert Brodsky

The Defense Department has released updated guidance to its contracting and program management staff regarding the posting and reporting of Recovery Act contract actions.

Shay Assad, director of defense procurement and acquisition policy, notes in the memo that:

• The usage of "acronyms and poorly written descriptions on modifications and award documents creates confusion on the types of projects receiving stimulus funds." Assad encourages officials to use "clear and concise language to describe the planned procurements;
• The reporting of project numbers is required in order to link projects with their corresponding contracts;
• Awardees must provide a Dun and Bradstreet, Data Universal Numbering System [DUNS] number;
• The use of funds related to multiple Recovery Act treasury account symbols on the same contract is forbidden;
• Contracting officers are encouraged to "perform due diligence when verifying the business size of the firms."