Pattern of Is there a cyclical pattern to supply and demand? Demand Would allowing delivery to be made at a later date result in lower prices than an immediate award? Or would it be better to stock up now at today's prices (if there is a bona fide need)? What forces might drive up prices in the near future? Strikes? Labor Other Market Forces Expected shortages? Subcontractor bottlenecks? Energy shortages? Other raw to Affect material shortages? Legislative action? Contract Price What forces might lead the Government to expect lower prices in the future? Rising unemployment? Industry downturn? Pricing What are the pricing strategies of firms in the commercial market? Strategies & What discounts are available for quantity buys? Incentives What types of incentives are used by firms in the commercial market? Sources of firms in the market are the most likely to submit offers to a Supplies or Government solicitation? Services Which are the least likely, and why? Supply or What features distinguish one service or item of supply from another? Service Which commercial supplies or services match most closely the Characteristics Government requirements document (as it currently reads in the purchase request)? What is the apparent trade-off between features and price? Delivery/ What are the current distribution channels? Performance What are current transportation costs (if available and applicable)? Terms What are the commercial lead-times? Ownership are the commercial warranty terms and conditions (if any)? What are the historical repair costs for each item? What are the historical maintenance costs for each item? What are the lifecycle costs (possible energy cost, costs of oil, toner, paper requirements, gasoline, electricity, etc.)?
Pattern of Demand Is there a cyclical pattern to supply and demand? Would allowing delivery to be made at a later date result in lower prices than an immediate award? Or would it be better to stock up now at today's prices (if there is a bona fide need)? Other Market Forces Expected to Affect Contract Price What forces might drive up prices in the near future? Strikes? Labor shortages? Subcontractor bottlenecks? Energy shortages? Other raw material shortages? Legislative action? What forces might lead the Government to expect lower prices in the future? Rising unemployment? Industry downturn? Pricing Strategies & Incentives What are the pricing strategies of firms in the commercial market? What discounts are available for quantity buys? What types of incentives are used by firms in the commercial market? Sources of Supplies or Services firms in the market are the most likely to submit offers to a Government solicitation? Which are the least likely, and why? Supply or Service Characteristics What features distinguish one service or item of supply from another? Which commercial supplies or services match most closely the Government requirements document (as it currently reads in the purchase request)? What is the apparent trade-off between features and price? Delivery/ Performance Terms What are the current distribution channels? What are current transportation costs (if available and applicable)? What are the commercial lead-times? Ownership are the commercial warranty terms and conditions (if any)? What are the historical repair costs for each item? What are the historical maintenance costs for each item? What are the lifecycle costs (possible energy cost, costs of oil, toner, paper requirements, gasoline, electricity, etc.)?
Draft_Commercial_Item_Handbook08012011.docx