Issuance Number: 205.4
Subject: Acquisition and Financial Assistance
Issuance Date: 12/9/2021
Expiration Date: 12/7/2026
Responsible Office: Office of Administrative Services
Instruction: This Survey Manual (SM) chapter revision supersedes SM 205.4, Acquisition and Financial Assistance, dated September 11, 2020
Approving Official: /s/ Katherine M. McCulloch, Associate Director for Administration (2024 reorganization to the "Office of Administrative Services")
1. Purpose. This SM chapter establishes delegations of authority to acquire goods and services for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and to enter into financial assistance agreements on behalf of the USGS. It also implements Subpart 1401.6 of the Department of the Interior Acquisition Regulation (DIAR). This SM chapter does not apply to instruments by which USGS received incoming funds.
2. Authority. USGS will exercise delegation of authority in accordance with:
A. Title 48 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Chapter 1, Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).
B. 48 CFR, Chapter 14, Department of the Interior Acquisition Regulation.
C. 43 CFR, Part 12, Administrative and Audit Requirements and Cost Principles for Assistance Programs.
D. 43 CFR, Part 17, Nondiscrimination in Federally-assisted Programs.
E. 43 CFR, Part 18, New Restrictions on Lobbying.
F. Office of Management and Budget directives.
G. Departmental Manual, as applicable.
H. Procedures promulgated in the Acquisition Operating Procedures (AOP).
I. The Buy Indian Act
3. Policy. USGS will exercise this authority subject to the availability of funds. Any purchasing transacted outside the provisions of this SM chapter or its authorized exceptions constitutes an unauthorized commitment. All purchasing activities transacted under the authority of this SM chapter are subject to review and audit. Failure to comply with applicable regulatory requirements constitutes reason for termination of procurement authority, as set forth in DIAR 1401.603.
All further USGS acquisition and financial assistance policy and procedure is promulgated in the USGS internal AOP.
4. Delegations of Authority.
A. Head of Contracting Activity (HCA), as defined in DIAR 1402.1 and FAR 2.101 is the Chief, Office of Acquisition and Grants (OAG).
B. Chief of the Contracting Office refers to the Chiefs of OAG Branches.
C. Contracting Officer authority may hereby be delegated to specific individuals only (not to positions) and may not be further redelegated. USGS may only delegate acquisition authority in accordance with Department of the Interior Acquisition, Assistance, and Asset Policy (DOI-AAAP) 0051, “DOI Federal Acquisition Certification and Appointment Programs.” The HCA is the only position authorized to grant Contracting Officer warrants and this authority cannot be redelegated.
