3500.1 The small purchase procedures set forth in this chapter may only be used for the procurement of supplies, services, and other items when the total amount of the procurement does not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000), in accordance with D. C. Code, §1-1110.

3500.2 A contracting officer shall not use small purchase procedures when the requirement can be met by using one of the following:

(a) A requirements term contract;

(b) An indefinite quantity term contract;

(c) A federal or District supply schedule; or

(d) Another source of supply, other than sealed bids or proposals, which would result in a lower price for the same or comparable supplies or services.

3500.3 A contracting officer shall not use small purchase procedures when the procurement requirement is initially estimated to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000), even though the resulting award does not exceed that limit

3500.4 If a procurement requirement totals more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), a contracting officer shall not split the procurement into several purchases that are each less than the limit in order to permit the use of the small purchase procedures.

3500.5 A procurement requirement shall not be parceled, split, divided, or purchased over a period of time in order to avoid the ten thousand dollar ($10,000) limitation for use of small purchase procedures. However, this shall not preclude the use of small purchase procedures for different requirements for the same or similar items which arise independently and for which the contracting officer cannot reasonably plan or execute a single procurement.

3500.6 A contracting officer shall use the small purchase procedure that is most suitable, efficient, and economical based on the circumstances of each procurement.

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 39 DCR 2566 (April 10, 1992).