The AOC has a wide range of procurement opportunities, including construction projects, architect-engineer contracts, supplies, services and information technology (IT) including telecommunications. These contract opportunities are advertised.

Overview

The Architect of the Capitol uses a wide variety of contracting methods, such as, but not limited to the following:

  • Invitation for Bid (IFB)
  • Request for Proposals (RFP)
  • Request for Quotation (RFQ)
  • Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)
  • Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPA)
  • Purchase Orders (PO)
  • Government Purchase Card transactions

Procurements exceeding $10,000 up to $250,000 are competed amongst small businesses utilizing the AOC small business set-aside program. Procurements under $10,000 are generally executed with the AOC Purchase Card Program.

Download the AOC Contracting Manual (PDF).

Company Literature

Vendors wishing to provide company literature should send their information to the agency via email at one of the following addresses:

Hard copy material may also be provided to the agency through the U.S. mail.

For supplies, services or material management literature please send to:

  • Architect of the Capitol
    Supplies, Services and Material Management Division
    Ford House Office Building H2-263
    2nd and D Streets SW
    Washington, DC 20515

For A/E design and other services as well as construction literature please send to:

  • Architect of the Capitol
    Design and Construction Acquisition Division
    Ford House Office Building H2-537
    2nd and D Streets SW
    Washington, DC 20515

Authority

The procurement authority for the Architect of the Capitol is established by statute, 2 U.S.C. § 1801 et seq., as amended. As a Legislative Branch agency, the AOC is not authorized to follow the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). The AOC may follow FAR guidance as a best business practice when the AOC Contracting Manual (CM) is silent. The CM prescribes uniform policies and procedures for the acquisition of supplies, services and construction. 

The AOC is covered by some of the same procurement and procurement-related legislation as the Executive Branch. Some of the laws that are applicable to the AOC include: the Construction Wage Rate Requirements Statute and Related Acts, Service Contract Labor Standards Act, Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act, Buy American Act, Contract Disputes Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, Anti-Deficiency Act, Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Act. Some of the laws which are not applicable are: the Small Business Act, Brooks Act (for architect-engineer services), Prompt Payment Act, Competition in Contracting Act, and the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act.

AOC procurements are similar in appearance and process to Executive Branch acquisitions. For example, the Uniform Contract Format is used for supplies and services (excluding construction) on procurements exceeding $250,000. AOC contract opportunities are advertised.

Delivery Instructions

Special restrictions apply to make deliveries to the U.S. Capitol.

All delivery vehicles are required to report to the Off-Site Delivery Center for the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP), located at 4700 Shepherd Parkway S.W. for inspection before proceeding to the Capitol Building via the North Barricade on Constitution Avenue, N.E., the loading dock of the Senate Office Buildings located on D Street, N.E., the loading dock for the Ford House Office Building on Virginia Avenue, S.W., or the Delaware Avenue, S.W. access point for the Rayburn, Longworth and Cannon House Office Buildings' loading docks.

No deliveries will be accepted unless the vehicles have been processed at the Off-Site Delivery Center. The hours of the Off-Site Delivery Center are 5 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday.

In order to gain access to the loading docks for the Capitol, House and Senate Office Buildings, you are required to have a letter on file with the USCP. The letter must be on company letterhead accompanied by the signature of the owner, president or manager. Please print or type the names, in alphabetical order, of persons requesting access. Requests for access must be renewed three (3) times per year: April 30, August 31 and December 31, and should contain the following information:

  1. Name of Company
  2. Name of Drivers/Employees Requiring Access
  3. Social Security Number of each Driver/Employee
  4. Date of Birth of each Driver/Employee
  5. Building(s) to be accessed
  6. Company Contact Person and Phone Number

This information must be provided to:

  • United States Capitol Police
    Off-Site Delivery Center
    4700 Shepherd Parkway SW
    Washington, DC 20032

    Fax: 202.563.5140

Any questions on deliveries can be directed to the Off-Site Division of the USCP at 202.224.0202.