Ep. 7 - From Micro-Purchases to Formal Solicitations: 2 CFR 200 Procurement Standards

In this episode of Grants Management Experts, Jasmine dives into one of the most practical — and often misunderstood — areas of federal grant management: procurement standards under 2 CFR 200.320. Whether you’re a recipient, subrecipient, or grants professional supporting compliance, understanding procurement methods is critical for both cost allowability and audit readiness.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

1. The three procurement methods:

• Informal (micro-purchases & simplified acquisitions)
• Formal (sealed bids & proposals)
• Non-competitive (sole source under limited circumstances)
  

2. Key thresholds you must know:

• Micro-purchase threshold: $10,000, increasing to $15,000 on October 1, 2025
• Simplified acquisition threshold: $250,000, rising to $350,000 in October 1, 2025Self-certification option to raise micro-purchase thresholds up to $50,000 — and the conditions required
  

3. How to apply each method:

• When micro-purchases are appropriate and how to document price reasonableness
• Conditions for sealed bids versus proposals under the formal method
• Situations where sole sourcing is allowed — and the documentation required
  

4. Special considerations:

• Procurement of architectural and engineering services through qualifications-based selection
• State, local, or tribal rules that may further limit thresholds
• The importance of self-certification and internal risk assessments