Military Interdepartmental Purchase Request (MIPR)

A Military Interdepartmental Purchase Request (MIPR) is a DoD funding and authorization document (DD Form 448) used when one military department or agency needs another DoD component to obligate funds and procure goods or services on its behalf, enabling cross-service purchasing without separate contracting actions.

What is a MIPR?

A MIPR allows DoD components to leverage each other's contracting authority and existing contract vehicles. For example, the Army may issue a MIPR to the Air Force to purchase aircraft maintenance services using the Air Force's existing contracts and contracting personnel, transferring the necessary funds and procurement authority in a single document. MIPRs come in two types: Category I (direct citation), where the receiving activity uses the funds as if they were their own appropriation and the funds do not cross agency lines in the accounting sense; and Category II (reimbursable), where the receiving activity advances its own funds and is later reimbursed by the requesting agency. MIPRs are a routine mechanism in DoD acquisition, particularly for joint programs, cross-service support agreements, and situations where one military service has a superior contract vehicle or more relevant expertise for a requirement. Contractors who support joint programs often encounter MIPRs as the funding vehicle behind task orders or contract modifications, and understanding the MIPR's role helps them track funding authority and obligation timelines.

Why MIPRs matter for government contractors

MIPRs affect contractors indirectly by determining which contracting officer has authority and which appropriation is funding a given requirement. Contractors working on joint-service programs should know which agency's MIPR is funding their work, as this determines which contracting office manages modifications, disputes, and extensions. MIPR funding also has its own obligation and expiration timeline that differs from the contractor's base contract terms.

Example

The Marine Corps needs specialized radar support services but lacks a suitable contract vehicle. It issues a MIPR to the Army, transferring $4 million in funding and authorizing the Army to procure the services under the Army's existing technical services IDIQ. The Army's contracting officer issues a task order, and the Marine Corps receives the support without standing up its own contracting action.

Frequently Asked Questions

What form is used for a MIPR?

MIPRs are executed on DD Form 448 (Military Interdepartmental Purchase Request) and DD Form 448-2 (Acceptance of MIPR). The receiving activity must formally accept the MIPR before proceeding with the procurement.

What is the difference between a Category I and Category II MIPR?

In a Category I MIPR, the receiving activity's contracting officer cites the requesting agency's appropriation directly on the resulting contract or order. In a Category II MIPR, the receiving activity uses its own funds to procure and then bills the requesting agency for reimbursement. Category II MIPRs are more administratively complex.

Can a MIPR be used for commercial item purchases?

Yes. MIPRs can fund any type of acquisition that the receiving agency's contracting authority and contracts can support, including commercial items, services, and research activities. The MIPR is a funding transfer mechanism, not a restriction on what can be purchased.

Do contractors need to know about the MIPR behind their contract?

Contractors are generally not party to the MIPR itself, but knowing which agency's funds are supporting a task order is useful for understanding reporting requirements, appropriation expiration dates, and which contracting office has decision-making authority for the work.