New DoD Class Deviation Tackles Micro-Purchase And Simplified Acquisition Thresholds

Mitchell Bashur is an Associate in Holland & Knight's Tysons office

On April 13, 2018, The Department of Defense (DoD) issued Class Deviation 2018-O00013, which consolidates and supersedes two prior class deviations that increased the micro-purchase and simplified acquisition thresholds and expanded non-statutory emergency acquisition flexibilities. The new Class Deviation also changes the thresholds for set-asides for small business in the Small Business Act from specified dollar amounts to the terms "micro-purchase threshold" and "simplified acquisition threshold."

This new update provides a reminder that determining the micro-purchase threshold and simplified acquisition threshold is not always simple. For example, while the new Class Deviation provides that the micro-purchase threshold for DoD is $5,000, it then lists a number of exceptions. Two exceptions relate to specific wage rates and provide a lower micro-purchase threshold, while the remaining four