Assignment: Types of Contracts and Performance-Based Acquisition

Imagine that you are working on a two-million-dollar procurement for the purchase of vehicles for the fleet of trucks and cars to be used by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection. These vehicles will be used for off-road driving on dirt roads in Arizona. Your manager has asked you to select the type of contract to be used for the vehicle purchase.

Choose to respond to this scenario from a government or a contractor perspective. If you select government, then you will complete the assignment as if you are a government employee (or military personnel) receiving the proposal from the contractor. If you select contractor, then you will complete the assignment as if you are a contractor employee submitting a proposal to the government.

Write a four to six page paper in which you:

1. Examine the types of contracts and performance-based acquisition. Select the type of contract you would like to use for the vehicle purchase.

2. Evaluate the pros and cons of sealed bidding contracts and negotiated contracts, emphasizing which one would be best for this purchase.

3. Determine the responsibilities of the contracting officer during the proposal evaluation process.

4. Assess the requirements for performance-based acquisitions.

5. Create requirements for the vehicle purchase that could be included in a performance-based contract with rationale.

6. Use at least four quality academic resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia and other Websites do not qualify as academic resources.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

• Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.

• Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the professor's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Analyze the acquisition methods, select the type of contract, and determine if a performance- based contract is appropriate.
• Use technology and information resources to research issues in government acquisition.
• Write clearly and concisely about government acquisition using proper writing mechanics.