buyer must solicit a reasonable number of quota- tions  (generally  at  least  three)  from  qualified suppliers  to  promote  competition  to  the  maximum extent possible and to make sure the purchase is advantageous to the government, as far as price and  other  factors  are  concerned.  Reasonable competition for small purchases can normally be obtained  from  the  local  trade  area. When  possible,  two  sources  not  included  in previous   solicitation   should   be   requested   to furnish   quotations.   If   only   one   response   is received,  no  additional  quotations  are  needed  if the price can be determined fair and reasonable. BLANKET  PURCHASE  AGREEMENT The  BPA  method  of  small  purchase  is  a simplified   procedure   of   establishing   charge accounts with qualified sources of supply to cover anticipated small purchases of the same general category. BPAs eliminate the necessity of issuing individual   purchase   orders   by   providing   that purchases  may  be  made  by  placing  oral  calls  or issuing   informal   memorandums   when   more convenient. Maximum use of BPAs is encouraged and  recommended,  when  appropriate. Conditions for Use of BPAs All  BPA  agreements  are  issued  as  bilateral, two-party   signature   documents.   Major   field purchasing  activities  and  other  Navy  field  con- tracting system (NFCS) activities who have been granted  such  authority  are  authorized  to  place BPAs when there is a repetitive need for similar supplies or services and when the use of the BPA is administratively more economical and efficient than  any  other  small  purchase  method.  Normally, BPA  calls  may  not  exceed  $10,000,  However, BPA calls up to $25,000 may be placed by ICPs, and calls for subsistence are unlimited as to dollar value. The  use  of  a  BPA  does  not  authorize purchases that are not otherwise authorized bylaw or regulation. For example, the use of a BPA does not  justify  sole  source  purchasing  or  avoiding small business-small purchase set-asides. The rules of  distributing  purchases  among  qualified  sup- pliers for purchases not in excess of $1,000 and for seeking competitive quotations for purchases in  excess  of  $1,000  apply  to  each  call  under  a BPA. If there is an insufficient number of BPAs to assure  competition  and  equitable  distribution  of business,  the  contracting  officer  should  solicit quotations from other sources for the immediate purchase and take action to establish additional BPAs   for   future   purchases.   Like   any   other purchase,  each  BPA  call  must  be  made  on  the basis  of  a  purchase  request. Authorized BPA Callers BPA  calls  may  be  made  by  any  individual within  the  purchasing  office  of  the  command  of the contracting officer who entered into the BPA. In  addition,  the  contracting  officer  who  issued  the BPA may authorize other activities who have been granted contracting authority to place calls under his  or  her  BPA. BPA  calls  may  normally  be  made  only  by authorized  personnel  within  purchasing  offices. To be approved, all individuals to be authorized to   place   BPA   calls   must   have   attended   a NAVSUP-approved   small   purchase   course.   In addition,  all  individuals  authorized  must  be appointed as contracting officers (with authority to  place  calls  up  to  a  certain  limitation)  via  a Certificate of Appointment, Standard Form 1402. Establishment of BPAs The contracting officer is responsible for the establishment of BPAs. BPAs will be made with contractors  from  whom  numerous  individual purchases  will  be  made  over  a  given  period.  To the maximum extent possible, BPAs for items of the same type should be placed at the same time with  more  than  one  supplier. All  competitive  sources  should  be  given  an equal   opportunity.   For   example,   if   you   have repetitive  requirements  for  electrical  supplies,  you should   establish   BPAs   with   more   than   one contractor  who  sells  this  type  of  material.  You can  then  distribute  the  calls  among  the  BPA holders for purchases not over $1,000 and obtain competition from them for purchases over $1,000. IMPREST  FUND The  IF  purchase  method  is  a  simple  and economical   way   of   effecting   purchases   not   in excess  of  $500.  The  IF  method  employs  a  cash fund from which payments are made at the time purchase  transactions  occur  and  to  which  reim- bursements  are  made  on  a  revolving  basis.  The IF  is  in  the  custody  of  the  IF  cashier. 4-4