Bottom Line Up Front: Introduction to 5000-series acquisition policies.
Five-Thousand…what??
Ok, this came out a couple of weeks ago:
The document is here if you’d like to take a look: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/500090p.PDF?ver=MIG3uLnzXl31QcvXJTZ5uA%3d%3d
Great, but what is it?
The US Military has a huge pile of manuals telling them how to buy stuff. The Army can’t just up and decide they want to plunk down some cash for new cafeteria trays or helicopters, there are procedures to be followed. Like, lots of procedures. And all of those procedures all have a “5000” on the cover. Thus, when people talk about “the 5000-series policies,” they are referring to the rules the US military has to follow to buy stuff.
Neat, But how does it affect me?
The military is in the middle of rewriting the rules to make it easier to buy from small businesses. They started a couple of years ago, and it’s still ongoing. They aim to have it all finished by the end of 2021.
In the past, the acquisition rules were so cumbersome, so ponderous, and so difficult, that it kept out a ton of potential suppliers. But now, they are throwing the doors wide open and rolling out the welcome mat. They are lowering the barriers and streamlining the process to engage with small businesses!
What does this mean for you? If you work in a small business, or if you run a small business, the Government has never been easier to work with!
In the weeks and months to come, I will talk more about the various 5000-series documents to let you know what to expect from the Government when you pick up the phone and give them a call.