blanket purchase agreement

A simplified acquisition method that government agencies use to fill anticipated repetitive needs for supplies or services. BPAs are negotiated on an individual agency level, and generally only a small number of agency offices can place orders on them. One advantage of traditional BPAs is that a buyer can use them to acquire a full range of services under one BPA, rather than having to purchase through multiple contracts. The BPA establishes a contractual relationship between the government and vendors who have been awarded a contract under the BPA. Tasks are then competed under the BPA contract without issuing a new contract.