While government contracting can be lucrative, there’s no getting around the fact that potential contractors have a lot to learn. The mountain of government contracting acronyms and terminology can be tricky to understand, but at Empire APEX Accelerator, we can help you get started with government contracting and clarify some of the common terms you might see, including the following:
General Terms
ACO - Administrative Contract Officer
ANSI - American National Standards Institute
ARO - After Receiving Order
ASTM - American Society for Testing and Materials
BOA - Basis of Award
BPA - Blanket Purchase Agreement
CAGE - Commercial And Government Entity Code
CBD - Commerce Business Daily
CBL - Core Business Line
*CCR - Central Contractor Registry (now SAM)
CFR - Code of Federal Regulations
CICA - Competition In Contracting Act
CLIN - Contract Line Item Number
CO - Contract Officer
COB - Close Of Business
CONUS - Continental United Sates
COR - Contract Officer's Representative
COTR - Contract Officer's Technical Representative
COTS - Commercial Off The Shelf
CSC - Customer Service Center
CSP - Commercial Sales Practice Format
D&B - Dun & Bradstreet
DFARS - Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement
DIG - Designated Industrial Group
DLA - Defense Logistics Agency
DOA - Date Of Award
DOD - Department of Defense
DSN - Defense Switched Network (telephone network)
DUNS - Data Universal Numbering System (D&B)
DVD - Direct Vendor Delivery
ECH - Electronics Clearing House
EDI - Electronic Data Interchange
EEO - Equal Employment Opportunity
EFT - Electronic Funds Transfer
EIN - Employer Identification Number (=TIN)
EOE - Equal Opportunity Employer
EPA - Economic Price Adjustment
ESD - Estimated Shipping Date
FAIR - Federal Activities Inventory Reform
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
FAR - Federal Acquisition Regulation
FFP - Firm Fixed Price
FISC - Fleet Industrial Supply Center
FOB - Freight On Board
FOB Destination - Price includes delivery
FOB Origin - Buyer pays price plus freight
FOIA - Freedom Of Information Act
FPDC - Federal Procurement Data Center
FSC - Federal Supply Classification
FSG - Federal Supply Group
FSS - Federal Supply Service
FTS - Federal Technology Service
G&A - General & Administrative
GAO - General Accounting Office
GBL - Government Bill of Lading
GFM - Government Furnished Material
GOCO - Government Owned Contractor Operated
GPC - Government Purchase Card
GSA - General Services Administration
GWAC - Government-Wide Acquisition Contract
HAZMAT - Hazardous Material
HUBZone - Historically Underutilized Business Zone
IAW - In Accordance With
IBR - Incorporated By Reference
IDIQ - Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity
IFB - Invitation For Bid
IFF - Industrial Funding Fee
IMPAC - International Merchant Purchase Acquisition Card
INSP - Introduction of New Services/Products
IT - Information Technology
JWOD - Javits, Wagner, O'Day Act
LBO - Last Best Offer
LOC - Letter Of Commitment
LOCA - Lowest Overall Cost Alternative
MAS - Multiple Award Schedule
MFC - Most Favored Customer
MOB - Minority-Owned Business
MOBIS - Management, Organizational and Business Improvement Services
MPN - Manufacturer's Part Number
MSDS - Material Safety Data Sheet
NAFTA - North American Free Trade Agreement
NAICS - North American Industrial Classification System
NECO - Navy Electronic Commerce Online
NIB - National Institute for the Blind
NISH - National Institute for the Severely Handicapped
NIST - National Institute of Standards and Technology
NLT - No Later Than
NPS - Non-Personal Services
NSN - National Stock Number
OMB - Office of Management and Budget
OSDBU - Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
OSHA - Occupational Safety and Health Administration
PBC - Performance-Based Contract
PBS - Public Buildings Service
PEA - Price Evaluation Adjustment
POC - Point Of Contact
PPE - Past Performance Evaluation
PTAC - Procurement Technical Assistance Center
PWS - Performance Work Statement
QPL - Qualified Product List
RFI - Request For Information
RFP / RFQ - Request For Proposal / Request For Quote
SADBUS - Small And Disadvantaged Business Utilization Specialist
SAM - System for Award Management
SBA - Small Business Administration
SBIR - Small Business Innovative Research
SBLO - Small Business Liaison Officer
SDB - Small Disadvantaged Business
SDD - Scheduled Delivery Date
SF - Standard Form
SIC - Standard Industrial Classification
SIN - Special Item Number
SOS - Source Of Supply
SOW - Statement Of Work
SPORTS - Sports, Promotional, Outdoor, Recreational, Trophies and Signs
T&C - Terms And Conditions
T&M - Time And Materials
TAPS - Temporary Administrative and Professional Staffing
TIC - Targeted Industry Category
TIN - Tax Identification Number
TPA - Trading Partner Agreement
TPIN - Trading Partner Identification Number
UL - Underwriters Laboratories
UPC - Universal Product Code
UPS - United Parcel Service
URL - Universal Resource Locator (Web or email address)
USC - United States Code
VA - Veterans Administration
VAMC - VA Medical Center
VAN - Value Added Network
VSC - Vendor Service Center
WOB - Woman-Owned Business
WOSB - Woman-Owned Small Business
Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Terms
AAC - Acquisition Advice Code
ADP - Automatic Data Processing
AFAO - Approved Force Acquisition Objective
AFM - Air Force Manual
AFMC - Air Force Materiel Command
AFR - Air Force Regulation
AMC - Air Mobility Command or Army Materiel Command
APOD - Aerial Port of Debarkation
APOE - Aerial Port of Embarkation
AR - Army Regulation
AUTODIN - Automatic Digital Network
CAGE - Commercial and Government Entity Code
CASKO - Component, Assembly, Set, Kit and Outfit
CBU - Commodity Business Unit
CIC - Content Indicator Code
CIRS - Contractor Inventory Redistribution System
CIT - Consumable Item Transfer
CMRP - Critical Maintenance Repair Program
COMRI - Communications Routing Indicator
CONUS - Continental United States
COPAD - Contractor Operated Parts Depot
CR - Country Representative
DAAS - Defense Automatic Addressing System
DAASC - Defense Automatic Addressing System Center
DAASO - Defense Automatic Addressing System Office
DAFIS - Departmental Accounting Financila Information System
DAISY - DRMS Automated Information System
DAMES - DAAS Automated Message Exchange System
DBR - Detail Billing Record
DCSC - Defense Construction Supply Center (S9C) (name change: see DSCC)
DDAA - Defense Distribution Depot Anniston, AL
DDAG - Defense Distribution Depot Albany, GA
DDBC - Defense Distribution Depot Barstow, CA
DDCN - Defense Distribution Depot Cherry Point, NC
DDCO - Defense Distribution Depot Columbus, OH
DDCS - Defense Distribution Depot Charleston, SC
DDCT - Defense Distribution Depot Corpus Christi, TX
DDDC - Defense Distribution Depot San Diego, CA
DDJC - Defense Distribution Depot San Joaquin, CA
Sharpe Facility
Tracy Facility
DDJF - Defense Distribution Depot Jacksonville, FL
DDLP - Defense Distribution Depot Letterkenny, PA
DDMC - Defense Distribution Depot McClellan, CA
DDMT - Defense Distribution Depot Memphis, TX
DDN - Defense Digital Network
DDNV - Defense Distribution Depot Norfolk, VA
DDOC - Defense Distribution Depot Oakland, CA
DDOO - Defense Distribution Depot Oklahoma City, OK
DDOU - Defense Distribution Depot Ogden, UT
Ogden Facility
Hill Facility
Tooele Facility
DDPF - Defense Distribution Depot Pensacola, FL
DDPW - Defense Distribution Depot Puget Sound, WA
DDRE - Defense Distribution Region East, New Cumberland, PA
DDRT - Defense Distribution Depot Red River, TX
DDRW - Defense Distribution Region West, Stockton, CA
DDRV - Defense Distribution Depot Richmond, VA
DDSP - Defense Distribution Depot Susquehanna, PA
Mechanicsburg Facility
New Cumberland Facility
DDST - Defense Distribution Depot San Antonio, TX
DDTP - Defense Distribution Depot Tobyhanna, PA
DDWG - Defense Distribution Depot Warner Robbins, GA
DD Form - Department of Defense Form
DEPRA - Defense Program for Redistribution of Assets
DESC - Defense Energy Support Center
DESEX - Defense Emergency Supply Expert System
DFSP - Defense Fuel Supply Point
DI - Document Identifier
DIC - Document Identifier Code
DICOMSS - Direct Commissary Support System
DIDS - Defense Integrated Data System
DIP - Discounted Item Program
DISC - Defense Industrial Supply Center (S9I)
DIPEC - Defense Industrial Plant Equipment Center
DGSC - Defense General Supply Center (S9G) (name change: see DSCR)
DLA - Defense Logistics Agency
DLAR - Defense Logistics Agency Regulation
DLIS - Defense Logistics Information Service
DLSS - Defense Logistics Standard Systems
DNA - Defense Nuclear Agency
DNSC - Defense National Stockpile Center
DoD - Department of Defense
DODAAC - Department of Defense Activity Address Code
DODAAD - Department of Defense Activity Address Directory
DODDS - Department of Defense Dependent Schools
DOE - Department of Energy
DRC - Disposal Release Confirmation
DRD - Disposal Release Denial
DRMO - Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office
DRMR-E - Defense Reutilization and Marketing Region Europe
DRMS - Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service
DRO - Disposal Release Order
DSC - Defense Supply Center
DSCC - Defense Supply Center Columbus (S9C) (formerly DCSC)
DSCP - Defense Supply Center, Philadelphia (S9P)
DSCR - Defense Supply Center Richmond (S9G) (formerly DGSC)
DSDC - DLA Systems Design Center
DSN - Defense Switched Network
DSO - Defense Subsistence Office
DSR - Defense Subsistence Region
DTID - Disposal Turn-In Document
DTS - Defense Transportation System
DVD - Direct Vendor Delivery
EDI - Electronic Data Interchange
EMACS - Equipment Management and Control System
EPPL - Excess Personnel Property List
ESD - Estimated Shipping Date
ESOC - Emergency Supply Operations Center
EVD - Enhanced Vendor Delivery
FAALC - Federal Aviation Administration Logistics Center (G69)
FAD - Force Activity Designator
FED LOG - Federal Logistics Data on Compact Disk
FEDSTRIP - Federal Standard Requisitioning and Issue Procedures
FF - Freight Forwarder
FF&V - Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
FILDR - Federal Item Logistics Data Record
FMS - Foreign Military Sales
FPMR - Federal Property Management Regulation
FSC - Federal Supply Class
FSE - Food Service Equipment
FSG - Federal Supply Group
GBL - Government Bill of Lading
GFM - Government Furnished Material
GMT - Greenwich Mean Time
GOCO - Government-Owned Contractor Operated
GSA - General Services Administration (GSA)
HMIS - Hazardous Material Information System
ICP - Inventory Control Point
IL - Identification List
ILCO - International Logistics Control Office
ILP - International Logistics Program
IMM - Integrated Materiel Manager
IPE - Industrial Plant Equipment
IPG - Issue Priority Group
IPU - Integrated Process Unit
IRPOD - Individual Repair Parts Ordering Data
I&S - Interchangeable/Substitute
IRIS - Interrogation Requirements Information System
ISSP - Interservice Supply Support Procedures
JCS - Joint Chiefs of Staff
LASE - Logistics Asset Support Estimate
LINK - Logistics Information Network
LIPS - Logistics Information Processing System
LMP - Lumber, Millwork and Plywood
LOGRUN - Logistics Remote Users Network
MAP - Military Assistance Plan
MASF - Military Assistance Service Funded
MCA - Management Control Activity
MCRL - Master Cross-Reference List
MCO - Marine Corps Order
MILSBILLS - Military Standard Billing System
MILSCAP - Military Standard Contract Administration Procedures
MILSPETS - Military Standard Petroleum System
MILSTAMP - Military Supply Transportation and Movement Procedures
MILSTEP - Military Supply and Transportation Evaluation Procedures
MILSTD - Military Standards
MILSTRAP - Military Standard Transaction Reporting and Accounting Procedures
MILSTRIP - Military Standard Requisitioning and Issue Procedures
MIPR - Military Interdepartmental Purchase Request
ML-C - Management Data List - Consolidated
MOV - Materiel Obligation Validation
MRC - Materiel Release Confirmation
MRD - Materiel Release Denial
MRO - Materiel Release Order
MRP - Materiel Returns Program
MRQ - Maximum Release Quantity
MSC - Military Sealift Command
M&S - Media and Status
MTMC - Military Traffic Management Command
MTMR - Military Traffic Management Regulation
NAVSUPINST - Naval Supply Instruction
NIIN - National Item Identification Number
NIMSC - Non-Consumable Item Materiel Support Code
NMCS - Not Mission Capable Supply
NOA - Notice of Availability
NSN - National Stock Number
NSO - National Sales Office
OCONUS - Outside Continental United States
ODS - Ozone Depleting Substances
PCH&T - Packing, Crating, Handling and Transportation
PD - Priority Designator
PICA - Primary Inventory Control Activity
PMRC - Pre-positioned Materiel Receipt Card
POC - Point of Contact
POD - Port of Debarkation
POE - Port of Embarkation
POPS - Paperless Order Placement System
PQDR - Product Quality Deficiency Report
PWRMS - Pre-positioned War Reserve Materiel Stock
QDR - Quality Deficiency Report
QPL - Quality Products List
QSL - Quality Status List
QUP - Quality Unit Pack
RAD - Required Availability Date
RCN - Record Control Number
RDD - Required Delivery Date
RDP - Required Delivery Period
RFI - Request for Information
RIC - Routing Identifier Code
ROD - Report of Discrepancy
RP - Record Position
RRR - Resource Recovery and Recycling Program
SA - Storage Activity
SAMMSTEL - Standard Automatic Materiel Management Telecommunication System
SAP - Security Assistance Program
SBR - Summary Billing Record
SDD - Scheduled Delivery Date
SF - Standard Form
SICA - Secondary Inventory Control Activity
SOS - Source of Supply
SPR - Special Program Requirement
SSC - Supply Status Code
SSR - Supply Support Request
TCMD - Transportation Control & Movement Document/Data
TCN - Transportation Control Number
TDR - Transportation Discrepancy Report
TFG - Terminal Facilities Guide
TIR - Total Item Record
UMMIPS - Uniform Materiel Movement and Issue Priority System
UPS - United Parcel Service
WCA - Water Clearance Authority
WPOD - Water Port of Debarkation
WPOE - Water Port of Embarkation
WSSP - Weapons Systems Support Program