About CDC Contracts

Key points

Contracting with the federal government is a highly regulated process governed by a variety of rules and regulations. This site provides information about the use of contracts to acquire goods and services for the use and benefit of the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC).

A worker hands a contract to a co-worker.

What we do

Contracting with the Federal Government is a highly regulated process governed by a variety of rules and regulations. CDC adheres to these rules and regulations to solicit, negotiate, award, and administer contracts.

CDC's Office of Financial Resources (OFR) is responsible for the stewardship of government funding through contracts and grants in accordance with governing rules and regulations. OFR contracting officers monitor and enforce CDC's compliance with the governing rules and regulations. For more information on these rules and regulations, please visit the Contracting Resources page.

Low Resolution Video

Navigate using the list below for more information on CDC contracts:

CDC Contract Funding Information
An overview of CDC's Office of Financial Resources' fiscal year contracts.
Contract Types
An overview of CDC's commonly used contract types.
Contract Vehicles
An overview of the most commonly used CDC contract vehicles.
CDC Contract Funding Information
An overview of CDC's Office of Financial Resources' fiscal year contracts.

Contracts

This site provides information about the use of contracts to acquire goods and services for the use and benefit of the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC).

CDC uses contracts to purchase goods and services such as supplies, vaccines, Information Technology (IT), and equipment to advance the agency's public health mission domestically and abroad to keep Americans safe and healthy where they work, live, and play. In FY 2023, the Office of Acquisition Services (OAS) processed 10,881 contract actions. These contract actions totaled $7.9 billion supporting public health programs and research around the world. For more information, visit our Fiscal Year 2023 Acquisition Snapshot.

All visitors

Potential and existing CDC contractors

  • Visit the Doing Business with CDC page for general information and key resources for bidding or proposing on CDC contracts. Information to support Small Businesses is also included!
  • Visit the Contracting Opportunities page for information on accessing and applying for CDC contracting opportunities.
  • Visit the Resources page for access to policies and regulations and key links related to federal contracting.

Contracts definition

Contracts refer to a mutually binding legal relationship obligating the seller to furnish the supplies or services (including construction) and the buyer to pay for them. It includes all types of commitments that obligate the Government to an expenditure of appropriated funds and, except as otherwise authorized, are in writing.

In addition to bilateral instruments, contracts include (but are not limited to) awards and notices of awards; job orders or task letters issued under basic ordering agreements; letter contracts; orders, such as purchase orders, under which the contract becomes effective by written acceptance or performance; and bilateral contract modifications.When the federal government issues a contract, it is agreeing to provide funds in exchange for the delivery of goods or services from the contractor. Failure to perform and achieve the promised results or product outlined in the contract can result in legal action and financial consequences.

CDC awards both contracts and grants; the differences are defined below. Check out CDC's Grants page for more information on CDC's grant funding.

Contracts vs Grants

Contracts

A pile of contracts ready to be signed.
A contract is a binding agreement between a buyer and a seller.
  • A binding agreement between a buyer and a seller to provide goods or services in return for consideration (usually monetary) to support the mission of CDC.
  • Governed by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).
  • Relatively inflexible around scope of work, budget, and other changes.
  • Significant emphasis placed on delivery of results, product, or performance.
  • Payment based on deliverables and milestones, generally.
  • Frequent reporting requirements, generally.

Grants

A folder labeled grants sits on a keyboard.
A grant is a more flexible way to provide money to support a public purpose.
  • A flexible instrument designed to provide money to support a public purpose.
  • Governed by the terms of the grant agreement.
  • Flexible around scope of work, budget, and other changes.
  • Diligent efforts are used in completing research and the delivery of results.
  • Payment awarded in annual lump sum, generally.
  • Annual reporting requirements, generally.
Print
Content Source:
Office of Financial Resources