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Deviations

Conformance with mandatory Supplying Practices promotes consistency and integrity throughout the Postal Service supply chain. However, there are circumstances when departures from the Supplying Practices are necessary or desirable. Deviations may be authorized in such circumstances.

Examples of Deviations

Contracting Officers will forward deviation requests through the appropriate organizational channels to approval officials who keep copies of all deviation approvals (portfolio managers are delegated authority to approve one time deviations and may redelegate this one time approval authority to their direct reports. The Vice President, Supply Management, may approve any request for deviations regarding a single purchase or series of purchases.) Following are some examples of deviations:

Omitting or modifying a provision or clause required by a Practice

Supplementing a provision or clause required by a Practice with another provision or clause in a manner that modifies the substance or intent of the original provision or clause

Using a provision or clause that differs from the provision or clause required by a Practice that is in regard to the same topic and subject matter

Failure to follow a practice that is mandatory within the context of a given business situation

However, using provisions or clauses included in these practices to replace selected text contained in Provisions 4-1, Standard Solicitation Provisions, and 4-2, Evaluation, and Clause 4-1, General Terms and Conditions, does not constitute a deviation and does not require authorization.

Following are some examples of situations that are not considered deviations:

Clauses written to meet the requirements of a specific purchasing situation that is not outlined in the Practices

Procedures or instructions that are developed to meet specific operational needs with the approval of the Vice President, Supply Management

Interim procedures or instructions used to try or test out new techniques and methods

Interim procedures or instructions used to promote Postal Service efficiency

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Deviations vs. Changes

Repeated deviations may indicate areas for improvement that require a change. Changes are proposed to the Supply Chain Management Committee (SCMC) following the procedures discussed in the Continuous Improvement topic of the General Practices.

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