Enclosure (2) to COMDTINST 5224.3
INTERSERVICE SUPPORT AGREEMENTS (ISSA)
A.
General.
1.
An ISSA is an agreement that provides for interservice support from a non-
Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal activity. Use of an ISSA allows
contracting for a service when in-house (within DOT) performance is not the most
cost-effective means of accomplishing requirements. Interagency agreements may
also be documented using a Military Interdepartmental Procurement Request (MIPR),
a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).
Agreements termed ISSAs and MIPRs are typically reimbursable agreements. A
typical format is DOT F-2300.1, Reimbursable Agreement. MOAs and MOUs
typically cover non-monetary arrangements or arrangements where there is authority
for support without reimbursement. Commandant Instruction 5216.18, Memoranda of
Understanding/Agreement, dated November 9, 1998, clarifies the differences between
MOU/MOA. This instruction uses ISSAs for all interservice agreements, regardless
of format. Inherently governmental functions are not subject to competition with the
private sector and may be obtained from DOT and non-DOT Federal activities.
2.
The provisions of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, the
Economy Act of 1932 and the Government Management Reform Act of 1944 are
general authorities on the use of ISSAs. These ISSAs may be issued between Federal
departments or agencies unless the needed product or service can be obtained more
economically through in-house or private sector sources. The Economy Act shall not
be used to circumvent the competition requirements prescribed in the FAR. There are
numerous specific statutory authorities for dealing with other agencies. See Chapter 7
of Title 14 of the United States Code and 14 USC, section 93.
3.
The tree diagram at Appendix A provides decision variables related to the A-76
program and ISSAs. It is an aid and not a substitute for consulting OMB Circular A-
76, the Revised Handbook, or legal counsel.
B.
1.
In accordance with FAR, Part 17.503, each Economy Act order shall be supported by
a Determination and Finding (D&F). The D&F shall state that:
(a)
Use of an interagency acquisition is in the best interest of the Government; and
(b)
The supplies or services cannot be obtained as conveniently or economically by
contracting directly with a private source.
2.
If the Economy Act order requires contracting action by the servicing agency, the
D&F shall also include a statement as set forth in D. below.
3.
The D&F shall be approved by a contracting officer of the requesting agency with
authority to contract for the supplies or services to be ordered or by another designated
by the agency head. If the servicing agency is not covered by the Federal Acquisition
Regulation, approval of the D&F may not be delegated below the senior procurement
executive of the requesting agency.
C.
Competition Requirements for In-house Support Furnished by Other Agencies.