FEDERAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

DoD Contracts: FedMall, DAPA, and ECAT Explained

The Department of Defense (DoD) buys through several channels beyond the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS). FedMall is a DoD e-commerce ordering site, and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) has used programs such as DAPA and ECAT for medical and pharmaceutical items. Program names, eligibility, and requirements change, so confirm current details with the managing organization before you invest time in any of them.

What is FedMall?

FedMall is an online ordering platform used by DoD and other authorized government customers to buy commercial items from catalogs. It has been the DoD’s replacement for the older DoD EMALL. Buyers can place orders from catalog listings, and DoD customers commonly use the Government Purchase Card for smaller purchases.

Which vendors can list, how items get on the platform, and what contract or pricing documents are required depend on the program and the item. Some listings come through existing contract vehicles, including GSA MAS contracts, and others come through DLA or other DoD programs. Do not assume that a listing can be set up without an underlying contract or agreement. Check the current FedMall vendor information before you plan.

How do vendors receive orders?

FedMall vendors have used electronic ordering methods that have included encrypted order files, electronic data interchange (EDI) through a value-added network, and secure file transfer methods. Which method applies depends on how you are set up, so confirm with the FedMall vendor support team.

What is DAPA?

A Distribution and Pricing Agreement (DAPA) has been a DLA program for medical and pharmaceutical products. It is a pricing agreement, not a contract, that sets the price DLA’s prime vendors use when they supply your products to military medical facilities and certain other federal health care customers. Your product moves through a distributor, so you do not necessarily sell directly to the government.

What is ECAT?

The Electronic Catalog (ECAT) has been a DLA-managed catalog that shows medical and pharmaceutical products, prices, and details to authorized DoD customers. It has worked alongside DAPA and the prime vendor program. Catalog listings and pricing are generally tied to a pricing agreement or contract. Confirm with DLA whether ECAT participation is required, optional, or dependent on your product type. It is not a universal prerequisite for selling to DoD health care.

How does this compare with a GSA MAS contract?

A MAS contract serves many federal customers, including DoD, and is one way to sell commercial products and services to the government. DLA programs are more focused on particular product areas and buying channels. Many companies use more than one channel, but each has its own paperwork and pricing rules.

Some medical items may be eligible under MAS categories, and others are not. Confirm your product fit in GSA MAS Categories.

What is the simplified acquisition threshold, and why does it matter?

Agencies can use streamlined procedures for purchases up to the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT). The SAT is currently $350,000 for most purchases, and the micro-purchase threshold is $15,000. These figures are adjusted periodically for inflation, so confirm current values in the FAR before using them. Agencies also use different thresholds for special circumstances.

How should you decide?

1. List your products and match them to the channels above
2. Confirm which channels require an existing contract or agreement
3. Ask the managing organization about pricing rules, reporting, and timelines
4. Estimate the cost of compliance against realistic sales
5. Pick one or two channels first, not all of them