Securing Unfunded Requirements (UFR) funding can provide essential financial support for government organizations to address their unfunded needs and priorities. This guide outlines the steps and strategies for effectively securing UFR funding, ensuring that your organization can leverage new opportunities for growth and technological advancement.
“Every year, securing UFR funding was critical to advancing our programmatic objectives and expanding our program’s reach. With additional UFR funding we were able to establish critical pilots, implement cutting edge resources, and deliver immediate and actionable information to our HP practitioners and the service members we served.”
Jamie Fox, Director of Tactical Strategy, Former Human Performance Program Manager
Step 1: Check for Available UFR Funding
Begin by consulting with the logistics and finance departments within your command to determine if UFR funding is available. These departments will have information on current funding opportunities and can guide you through the process.
1.1 Identify Contacts
- Logistics Department: Responsible for supply chain management and logistics support.
- Finance Department: Manages financial planning and budgeting.
Step 2: Obtain a Cost Estimate
Contact the vendor to obtain a detailed cost estimate for the product or service you need. This estimate will support your UFR request and provide a basis for justifying the funding.
2.1 Vendor Interaction
- Request Quote: Ensure the vendor provides a comprehensive quote that includes all costs associated with the requirement.
- Documentation: Obtain and save all documentation related to the cost estimate for future reference.
Step 3: Develop a Procurement Strategy
Develop a clear procurement strategy that outlines how you will acquire the necessary goods or services. Consider using established contracting vehicles.
3.1 Established Contracting Vehicles
- NASA SEWP: A government-wide acquisition contract for IT products and services. Teamworks is partnered with AlphaSix NASA SEWP Website
- GPC: Government Purchase Card, typically used for smaller, less complex procurements that do not require a UFR. Often used as an easy way to start a pilot.
- Teamworks Contract: Modify or execute funding on an existing contract (for current customers only).
Step 4: Generate an Official UFR Request
Create an official UFR request using a justification tailored to your specific requirement. This typically begins with a quad slide or a brief description accompanied by the vendor estimate.
4.1 Crafting the Justification
- Narrative: Clearly articulate the need for the funding, the expected benefits, and how it aligns with your organization’s priorities.
- Example Justification: Use provided templates or contact your support team for help in tailoring the narrative to your specific requirement.
Step 5: Submit the UFR Request
Submit your UFR request through your chain of command to the appropriate funding point of contact (POC), typically located in the comptroller’s office.
5.1 Submission Process
- Chain of Command: Ensure the request is reviewed and approved at each level before reaching the comptroller’s office.
- Documentation: Include all necessary documents, such as the quad slide, vendor estimate, and justification narrative.
Step 6: Follow Up
After submission, regularly follow up with the funding POC to track the status of your request and address any questions or concerns that arise.
6.1 Regular Check-ins
- Communication: Maintain regular contact with the POC and provide any additional information or clarification as needed.
- Status Updates: Request updates on the progress of your request and the estimated timeline for approval.
Step 7: Act Quickly Upon Approval
If your UFR is approved, act quickly to finalize the procurement. Typically, you will have a short window (usually within a week) to execute the funding.
7.1 Final Steps
- Documentation: Ensure all required documentation is saved and ready for submission to your Contracting Officer (KO).
- Coordination: Work closely with your KO to finalize the procurement process and execute the funding.
To make the request process easier, contact a Teamworks Tactical Sales Representative who can provide pre-built request templates and personalized guidance to get you started.
