Policy and Guidance
Federal
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations: The Code of Federal Regulations is the codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the departments and agencies of the Federal Government produced by the Office of the Federal Register (OFR) and the Government Publishing Office.
GSA Coronavirus-related Acquisition Resource Page: The General Services Administration is hosting an information and resource page with links to many acquisition resources.
Small Business Administration Guidance and Resource Page The Small Business Administration established a resource page small businesses can use to find resources and information available to them during this time.
Dept of Commerce Training slides on DPAS: These training slides introduce the Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS), a regulation administered by the Department of Commerce (DOC) that implements the priorities and allocations authority contained in Title 1 of the Defense Production Act (DPA) of 1950.
Office of Management and Budget
OMB Memorandum Page: The OMB archive of released memos is the official repository of all OMB memos.
M-20-18, "Managing Federal Contract Performance Issues Associated with the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)": This memorandum identifies steps to help ensure this safety while maintaining continued contract performance in support of agency missions, wherever possible and consistent with the precautions issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
M-20-17, “Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) due to Loss of Operations”: in an effort to maintain the health and safety of Federal and Defense employees and contractors, updated guidance has been released on the travel attendance.
M-20-16, Federal Agency Operational Alignment to Slow the Spread of Coronavirus COVID-19”: The Federal Government, in partnership with state and local governments and the private sector, is adopting a concerted near-term operations posture that will appropriately align critical resources to slow down the transmission of COVID-19, while also ensuring that Government operations continue.
M-20-14, “Updated Federal Travel Guidance in Response to Coronavirus”: This memorandum provides short term relief for administrative, financial management, and audit requirements to an expanded scope of recipients affected by the loss of operational capacity and increased costs due to the COVID-19 crisis, particularly those performing essential research and services necessary to carry out the emergency responses.
Department of Defense
Secretary Esper's Priorities During this Emergency: Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and Defense senior leaders hosted a virtual town hall to discuss DoD priorities during this emergency. He noted that three of his top priorities include protecting Service members and their families, safeguarding the Department's mission capabilities, and providing the full capacity of the Department to support the whole-of-government response.
Joint Acquisition Task Force: The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Ms. Ellen Lord established the COVID-19 Joint Acquisition Task Force (JATF) to synchronize and support the acquisition execution of DoD’s COVID-19 response to interagency (Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Health and Human Services (HHS)) for medical resources. The team serves as the single entry point to the DoD acquisition enterprise for interagency requests for assistance.
Defense Pricing and Contracting: DPC has compiled a list of helpful resources and news that impact contracting.
Defense Pricing and Contracting Class Deviations page: The Principal Director of Defense Pricing and Contracting issues class deviations when necessary to allow organizations to deviate from the FAR and DFARS. This page collects all the current DoD class deviations in effect with other deviations archived by year.
Government-wide Commercial Purchase Card Guidance for COVINA-19: This memorandum offers information and guidance to promote compliance with acquisition policies applicable to the Department of Defense (DoD) Government-wide Commercial Purchase Card (GPC) program.
Office of Industrial Policy COVID Response Page: The Office of Industrial Policy has stood up this resource page for the Defense industrial base and other stakeholders as they navigate the complexities associated with the virus.
Commercial Item Determination for supplies and services procured in response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Acting Principal Director, Defense Pricing and Contracting, Kim Herrington released a memo outlining the Commercial Item Determination for supplies and services procured in response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). DCMA CIG is determining that the types of supplies and services found in the memo that pertain strictly to COVID-19 are commercial, and FAR Part 12 or FAR Part 13 procedures may be used accordingly.
A step-by-step approach to contracting with the Department of Defense: There are several basic steps every company should do to increase their ability to contract in the marketplace. Becoming a government contractor can increase your company’s growth in many ways. Follow the links to prepare for doing business with the government.
CISA Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce: The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) executes the Secretary of Homeland Security's authorities to secure critical infrastructure. Consistent with these authorities, CISA has developed, in collaboration with other federal agencies, State and local governments, and the private sector, an "Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce" advisory list. This list is intended to help State, local, tribal and territorial officials as they work to protect their communities, while ensuring continuity of functions critical to public health and safety, as well as economic and national security.
OSD(A&S) 12-Month Grace Period for DAWIA Requirements: To mitigate the impact COVID-19 has had on training, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment has extended the Defense Acquisition Workforce Initiative Act requirement for certification completion from 24 months to 36 months.
Services Guidance and Resources
Army
Promoting Resiliency of the DIB during COVID-19 Pandemic (to industry), dated March 24 2020: Dr. Bruce Jette penned a memo to the Defense Industrial Base reiterating the important roles they have in helping the Department of Defense combat this pandemic as well as reminding them to continue communication with the DoD to ensure a mutual understanding of challenges.
Promoting Resiliency of the DIB during COVID-19 Pandemic (internal), dated March 24 2020: In a March 24 memo, Dr. Jette provides a guideline of expectations for Department of Defense personnel as they address issues caused by the pandemic without sacrificing the health and safety of contractor support.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Procurement) (DASA(P)) Response to the Cornoavirus Disease (COVID-19), dated March 12, 2020: Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Procurement) Stuart Hazlett released a memo to help Defense personnel prepare for interrupted contractor support during the Coronavirus pandemic, as well as guidelines for ensuring a mutual understanding between Government and contractor personnel of the issues impacting programs.
Navy
USN - Use of COVID-19 Language within DON Contracts, dated March 26, 2020: Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition James Geurts released a memo noting that there are specific FARS clauses directly relevant to potential situations that could arise as a result of the pandemic.
USN - (Intent and Direction) Withholds and Retentions During COVID-19, dated March 20, 2020: Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition James Geurts released a memo stating that the Defense Industrial Base is responsible for critical elements of national security. He released several guidelines to help ensure that every effort is made to remove barriers and maximize the efficient execution of these critical programs.
Air Force
March 26, 2020 - Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (AT&L) Memo - Creative Contracting Techniques for Maintaining the Financial Health of the Defense Industrial Base: Dr. Will Roper released a memo to emphasize to Contracting Officers that they should use every authority and flexibility at their disposal—including waiving regulations and modifying contract terms and conditions—to to minimize potential negative effects of contract disruptions arising from Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and accomplish their missions.
March 25, 2020 - Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (AT&L) Memo - Department of the Air Force Acquisition Task Force on COVID-19: Dr. Will Roper announced the formation of the "Air Force Acquisition COVID-19 Task Force" to execute all requirements from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Joint Acquisition Task Force and collect and consolidate funding requests needed to recover programs from COVID-19 impacts.
March 21, 2020 - Department of the Air Force Mission Essential Activities during COVID-19: Deputy Assistant Secretary (Contracting), Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisition, Technology & Logistics) provides supplemental guidance on the continuation of mission essential contractor activities for installation support contracts. This memo also provides references that can be used to develop a letter identifying contractor personnel as mission essential in the event of a "shelter in place" order for their local areas.
DAU Resources
Courses
CLC 043 Defense Priorities and Allocations System: The goal of the Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) module is to ensure that government and industry users are thoroughly familiar with the priorities and allocations authority of the Defense Production Act. It also reveals the purpose of DPAS, which is to assure the timely availability of industrial resources to meet current and future national security and emergency preparedness requirements.
CLG 001 DoD Governmentwide Commercial Purchase Card Overview: This module provides individuals with a solid foundation for making Government Purchase Card (GPC) transactions in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
Important Links:
DoD Coronavirus Response Information and Resources
DAU Course Impact Page
DAU Operational Status Page
Defense Travel Management Office
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Coronavirus Disease 2019 Resources
U.S. Government Response Portal
