FR 2020-29171

The document from the Federal Register outlines a notice issued by the Department of Defense, General Services Administration, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration. This notice, under the Paperwork Reduction Act, seeks public comments on a request sent to the Office of Management and Budget to review and approve the revision and renewal of an information collection related to presolicitation notices. These notices are designed to inform potential offerors or bidders about upcoming government contracting opportunities, thereby aiming to enhance competition and ensure small businesses can access this critical information.

General Summary

The primary purpose of the presolicitation notices is to improve access to government acquisition information, particularly for small businesses, and to foster competition in government contracting processes. These notices also serve as a means for early exchanges of information between the government and potential offerors, particularly relating to acquisition strategy and specifics.

Significant Issues and Concerns

Several concerns arise from the content and implications of this document:

• Transparency on Impact: While the document declares the purpose of presolicitation notices, it lacks specific examples or data that showcase how these efforts effectively enhance small businesses' access to acquisition information. This absence of detailed impact assessment could be seen as lacking transparency, leaving stakeholders questioning the actual benefits.

• Cost-Related Information: The document does not delve into the costs or budgetary aspects of implementing presolicitation notices. Understanding the economic implications is essential for assessing the efficiency and potential areas of wasteful spending associated with this process.

• Response to Public Comment: A public comment highlighted concerns over the presolicitation notices unnecessarily extending acquisition timelines. However, the document merely states that these notices are required by statute and does not address how the process might be optimized for efficiency, indicating a potential area for improvement that remains unexplored.

• Terminology: The use of technical jargon such as "Respondents," "Total Annual Responses," and "Total Burden Hours" may not be easily understood by a general audience unfamiliar with federal documentation. This could hinder public engagement and meaningful feedback.

• Lack of Clarification: The mention of the "simplified acquisition threshold" is another example where the document presumes a level of familiarity from the reader that might not exist, potentially creating confusion among stakeholders unfamiliar with procurement processes.

Public Impact

For the general public, particularly small businesses, this document's implications are significant. Presolicitation notices may open doors to government contracts, which can be lucrative opportunities for businesses seeking growth. By participating in government contracts, small businesses could potentially expand their market reach and increase their scale of operations.

Impact on Stakeholders

• Small Businesses and Potential Offerors: The notices are mainly designed to help small businesses by providing them access to vital information about contracting opportunities. However, without clear guidelines and definitions, small businesses might find it challenging to interpret and engage with these opportunities fully.

• Government Agencies: For government bodies, ensuring these notices are efficiently processed and appropriately reviewed might necessitate dedicated resources. It is crucial that they optimize the process to prevent unnecessary delays in acquisition timelines, aligning more closely with statutory requirements while maintaining operational efficiency.

Overall, while the document aims to promote more inclusive participation in government contracting through presolicitation notices, it could benefit from a more transparent depiction of its impacts and potential for optimization. This would likely enhance both stakeholder engagement and the overall effectiveness of the initiative.