Veteran Affairs Acquisition AcademyVAAA CON 090 C

Scenario 1

The FY 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (1 Oct 2018 – 30 Sep 2019). The general had two questions concerning two of Conrad’s contracts. First, Fort Outpost’s installation base support services contract (for security, recreation activities, vehicle maintenance, janitorial services, and the like) with General Doall, Inc., was of the utmost concern to the general. He wondered why Conrad had not exercised General Doall options for base support services beginning 1 October 2018 through 30 September 2019 (FY2019)

Second, the general said Mr. Einstein, director of the U.S. Special Operations Test and Evaluation Command (USSOTEC), a tenant activity on Fort Outpost, had $250,000 of FY2018 RDT&E funds available to fund maintenance support for his laboratory equipment for FY2019. General Doall provides laboratory equipment maintenance to USSOTEC under a services contract. There is an option in the contract for laboratory equipment maintenance services. The general wanted the option exercised and the $250,000 obligated by the next day, 28 September 2019 (FY2019).

Assuming all of the contractual issues are resolved in favor of exercising the option, Conrad wants to know if using the RDT&E funds to exercise the option is allowable.

Conrad came to me for advice as to whether he could accommodate the general’s requests. I told him that I thought we could.

Scenario Questions:

1)What is the difference between an authorization and an appropriation?

2. May Conrad exercise Doall’s options for base support services beginning 1 October 2018 through 30 September 2019?  DON

Why or why not?