NUMBERS SHOW THAT DOD IS A HUGE USER OF MAIDIQ CONTRACTS, WHY ARE SOME LOOKING TO ELIMINATE THEM?

The Department of Defense spent $50 billion via multiple award indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contracts in FY’16, or 17.5% of its acquisition budget.  A full $33 billion in Multiple Award Schedule sales went to DOD.  These numbers, part of the Coalition for Government Procurement’s recent testimony before DOD’s Section 809 acquisition review panel, highlight the important role such contracts play in supporting critical DOD missions.  Everything from IT solutions, professional support services, to pharmaceuticals and medical equipment is brought from multiple award vehicles by DOD.  Take away the agency’s access to such contracts and serious vulnerabilities would appear in important areas like mission support and warfighter healthcare.  Yet, the Section 809 panel is looking at just that possibility.  The Coalition’s remarks were made in response to a panel question about what the purpose of such contracts is.  With the practical purpose being so obvious from the depth and breadth of DOD use, such a question has to come from a place that suggests that MAIDIQ’s don’t provide sufficient value.  The Coalition’s testimony went a long way toward showing why these contracts are important.  If the panel needs more evidence, they should ask a warfighter.