BLANKET PURCHASE ORDERS - 3568

Blanket purchase orders issued without the taking of competitive bids and in which the products ordered and unit prices are not specified are strongly discouraged. Requests for blanket purchase orders must be accompanied by a statement explaining the nature of the probable emergency requiring the blanket purchase order, the probable effect on public health, welfare or safety caused by this emergency, and the reasons why other purchase methods will not meet the agency need.

Present policy all but excludes the use of blanket purchase orders. All such purchases will be made under a delegated purchase authority program which may be granted on an individual basis to agencies with approved Material Management Plans. Agencies must provide a justification of their need in order to receive the special purchase authority. All requests must be submitted to the Office of Procurement, Department of General Services. Details of information which must be included in such requests may be obtained from the Office of Procurement's Research and Analysis Section.