Smith Pachter McWhorter – Government contractors are playing a critical role providing essential goods and services to aid the Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This client alert provides an overview for contractors and agency procurement officials of the most significant acquisition changes for sourcing goods and services more quickly given the urgent situation, which include increased simplified acquisition thresholds, pre-established commercial item status for specified goods and services essential to the pandemic response, relief from competition requirements, and easing of some administrative requirements for doing business with the federal government. There are also special avenues for contributing to the relief efforts, including the National Disaster Registry and a program granting state and local governments access to GSA and VA schedules for emergency relief.
