How to Use ACE – Acquisition Contracting Expert
ACE (Acquisition Contracting Expert) is a specialized AI agent designed to support Federal, State, and Local acquisition professionals across the full procurement lifecycle. This guide explains how to use ACE effectively, with ready‑to‑use prompts, workflows, and best practices aligned to FAR and public‑sector procurement standards.
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ACE assists with:
- Market research and acquisition strategy
- Solicitation classification (RFQ, RFP, IFB)
- Drafting RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, and IFBs
- Developing PWS and SOO documents
- Evaluation criteria, source selection, and award support
- Price reasonableness, IGEs, and PNMs
- Justifications & Approvals (J&A)
- Compliance, clauses, and risk identification
- Small business and socioeconomic programs
- Training, mentorship, and explain‑as‑you‑go guidance
All outputs are advisory and instructional and must be reviewed by a warranted Contracting Officer or authorized official before use.
1. Market Research & Strategy
Use ACE early in the acquisition lifecycle to support FAR Part 10 market research and acquisition planning.
Example prompts:
- Market research strategy
“Help me perform market research for a government procurement:
Jurisdiction: Federal (FAR)
Requirement: [describe requirement]
Estimated value: [$X]
NAICS: [code if known]
Please outline: likely vendor pool (small vs large business), common contract types, recommended set‑aside strategy, and risks.”
- Market research report outline
“Draft a market research report outline for this requirement:
[Paste requirement or SOW/SOO text]
Organize it into standard government sections and identify data gaps I still need to collect.”
- NAICS / PSC analysis
“Given this requirement:
[Paste text]
Recommend a primary NAICS, 2–3 alternates, PSC/FSC suggestions, and whether a small business set‑aside is appropriate (with FAR 19 references).”
- GSA vs open market
“Compare using a GSA Schedule order vs an open‑market procurement for this requirement:
[Describe requirement]
Summarize pros/cons, timeline, competition, and documentation required.”
2. Classification: RFQ vs RFP vs IFB
ACE helps determine the correct solicitation type and applicable FAR parts.
Example prompts:
- Classify solicitation language
“Read the following draft solicitation language and classify it as RFQ, RFP, IFB, or Other. Explain your reasoning with FAR references and key text signals:
[Paste excerpt].”
- Simplified acquisition decision
“I want to run a simplified acquisition under the SAT. Should I use an RFQ, RFP, or IFB for this requirement:
[Describe requirement and value].
Explain the tradeoffs and applicable FAR parts.”
3. Drafting RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, IFBs
ACE generates compliant, structured solicitation templates with placeholders and FAR references.
Example prompts:
- RFI template
“Generate an RFI template for this requirement:
Agency level: [Federal/State/Local]
Requirement summary: [text]
NAICS: [code]
Estimated value: [$X]
Include FAR Part 10 disclaimers.”
- RFQ skeleton
“Create an RFQ skeleton for a firm‑fixed‑price purchase:
Commodity/service: [text]
Estimated value: [$X]
Delivery/PoP: [dates]
Include line items, LPTA evaluation, instructions, and key FAR clauses (high‑level).”
- RFP template
“Draft an RFP template for competitive negotiated procurement:
Requirement: [text]
Contract type: [FFP/T&M/IDIQ]
Estimated value: [$X]
Reference FAR Part 15 and include evaluation factors and weights.”
- IFB language
“Draft IFB language for a sealed‑bid construction project:
Project description: [text]
Magnitude: [$ range]
Include bid submission/opening and bond placeholders.”
4. Performance Work Statements (PWS) & Statements of Objectives (SOO)
ACE supports performance‑based acquisition development and review.
Example prompts:
- PWS outline
“Convert this requirement into a PWS outline with performance outcomes and metrics:
[Paste requirement].”
- SOO drafting
“Draft a Statement of Objectives (SOO):
Agency: [name]
Mission objective: [text]
Key outcomes: [list].”
- PWS quality review
“Evaluate this PWS draft for clarity, measurability, and risk:
[Paste PWS text].”
5. Evaluation Criteria & Source Selection
ACE helps design evaluation schemes and draft defensible award rationale.
Example prompts:
- Best‑value factors
“For this RFP:
[Describe requirement]
Propose evaluation factors and weights for a FAR Part 15 tradeoff.”
- Weights validation
“Given these evaluation factors and weights:
[Paste table]
Check if totals equal 100% and flag overlaps.”
- LPTA scheme
“Draft an LPTA evaluation approach consistent with FAR 15.101‑2.”
- Award analysis
“Using these proposal scores and prices:
[Paste data]
Compute weighted totals and draft an award recommendation with FAR citations.”
6. Price Reasonableness, IGE, and PNM Support
ACE supports FAR 15.4 pricing analysis and negotiation documentation.
Example prompts:
- IGE outline
“Help me outline an Independent Government Estimate (IGE) for this requirement:
[Describe scope and LOE].”
- Price analysis
“Using these offeror prices and my IGE:
[Paste values]
Assess price reasonableness and applicable FAR 15.404‑1 techniques.”
- PNM bullets
“Draft bullet content for a Price Negotiation Memorandum (PNM):
[Provide contract and pricing details].”
7. Justification & Approval (J&A)
ACE assists with limited‑competition documentation.
Example prompts:
- Sole source structure
“Help me structure a sole source justification under FAR 6.302‑1:
[Describe requirement].”
- J&A review
“Review this J&A draft and flag weaknesses or protest risk:
[Paste text].”
8. Compliance, Clauses, and Risk
ACE identifies major regulatory considerations and solicitation gaps.
Example prompts:
- Compliance mapping
“For this procurement:
[Details]
Identify major compliance areas and representative clauses to research.”
- Cybersecurity standards
“Given this IT/cloud requirement:
[Describe]
Summarize applicable security standards and how they appear in solicitations.”
- Solicitation QA
“Review this draft solicitation excerpt and flag conflicts, missing elements, or ambiguous language:
[Paste text].”
9. Small Business & Socioeconomic Programs
ACE supports FAR Part 19 analysis and documentation.
Example prompts:
- Set‑aside analysis
“Given this requirement:
[Describe]
Advise on small business set‑aside suitability and applicable programs.”
- Set‑aside language
“Draft synopsis/solicitation language indicating a small business set‑aside for this requirement.”
10. Training, Mentorship, and Explain‑This Prompts
ACE can switch into training mode for new or developing acquisition staff.
Example prompts:
- Concept explanation
“Act as a contracting mentor. Explain RFQ vs RFP vs IFB with FAR references and examples.”
- Lifecycle walkthrough
“Walk me step‑by‑step through the federal acquisition lifecycle for a competitive services contract over the SAT.”
- Study plan
“Create a 2–3 week study plan to learn the FAR basics, competition, small business programs, and pricing.”
How to Use These Prompts Effectively
- Always specify jurisdiction, estimated value, and requirement type.
- Label pasted text clearly (e.g., “Draft PWS,” “Offeror A Proposal”).
- Request Training Mode if you want explanations instead of final documents.
- Share your role (CO, COR, vendor, state buyer) for tailored prompt recommendations.
Disclaimer: ACE outputs are advisory and do not constitute legal advice. All acquisition decisions and documents must be validated through official channels and by authorized personnel.