6.10 Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) The FAR is the set of rules governing the federal government's purchasing process, it is jointly issued by DoD, GSA, and NASA and applies to most agencies in the Executive Branch.
Who is responsible for the Acquisition Regulations for GSA?
GSA is responsible for two acquisition regulations: Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR): The FAR was established to codify uniform policies for acquisition of supplies and services by executive agencies.
What is the Federal Acquisition Regulation?
The Federal Acquisition Regulation ( FAR) is the principal set of rules regarding Government procurement in the United States, and is codified at Chapter 1 of Title 48 of the Code of Federal Regulations, 48 CFR 1. It covers many of the contracts issued by the US military and NASA, as well as US civilian federal agencies.
Are all government agencies required to comply with the far?
While nearly all federal government executive agencies are required to comply with the FAR, some executive agencies are exempt (e.g., the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Mint). In those cases, the agency promulgates its own specific procurement rules.
Who has authority to issue and maintain the far?
Statutory authority to issue and maintain the FAR resides with the Secretary of Defense, the Administrator of General Services, and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, subject to the approval of the Administrator of Federal Procurement Policy.
Who issues the Federal Acquisition Regulation?
The FAR also contains standard solicitation provisions and contract clauses and the various agency FAR supplements. The Department of Defense (DoD), GSA, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) jointly issue the FAR.
Who is responsible for the acquisition plan?
(g) The program manager, or other official responsible for the program, has overall responsibility for acquisition planning. (i) Shall submit the acquisition plan to the address in PGI 207.103(h) (DFARS/PGI view).
Who is responsible for establishing and operating the FAR Secretariat to publish and distribute the FAR through the Code of Federal Regulations System?
The General Services Administration(a) The General Services Administration is responsible for establishing and operating the FAR Secretariat to publish and distribute the FAR through the Code of Federal Regulations system (including a separate online edition with periodic updates).
What is the federal regulation council responsible for?
The Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council was established to assist in the direction and coordination of Government-wide procurement policy and Government-wide procurement regulatory activities in the Federal Government, in accordance with Title 41, Chapter 7 , Section 421 of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy ( ...
Which member of the acquisition team is responsible for forming the acquisition team?
The program manager (PM) is the acquisition team leader and is responsible for ensuring that the acquisition plan is properly executed and the desired results are achieved.
What is the COR's role on the acquisition team?
The COR serves as the contracting officer's “eyes and ears.” They monitor contractor performance to ensure the contract's articulated outcomes are being achieved. A COR is responsible for attaining and maintaining required FAC-COR certifications.
Who writes the FAR?
Statutory authorities to issue and revise the FAR have been delegated to the Procurement Executives in Department of Defense (DoD), GSA and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The Federal Acquisition Policy Division writes and revises the FAR.
Which of the following Federal government regulations govern DOD acquisition activities?
The Federal Acquisition Regulation (Far) is one of the three Government regulations that govern acquisition activities and only applies to the Department of Defense (DOD).
Is the Federal Acquisition Regulation a law?
The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is the principal set of rules regarding Government procurement in the United States, and is codified at Chapter 1 of Title 48 of the Code of Federal Regulations, 48 CFR 1.
What is the Federal Acquisition Regulation?
Chapter 1 appears in two volumes, with Subchapters A-G appearing in Volume 1 while Subchapter H occupies all of Volume 2. The volumes are not formal subdivisions of Title 48, but refer instead to the fact that the FAR is printed by the Government Printing Office in two volumes for convenience.
What is the vision of the Federal Acquisition System?
Vision. Part 1 refers to a "vision" and certain "guiding principles" for the Federal Acquisition System. The vision foresees "delivery on a timely basis [of] the best value product or service ... while maintaining the public's trust and fulfilling public policy objectives". Compliance with the Regulation, along with the use ...
What is FAR subpart 1.4?
FAR Subpart 1.4, Deviations from the FAR, provides the steps needed to document deviations from the mandatory FAR or agency FAR supplement. Deviation documentation is needed if there is a precise FAR clause or provision for the issue.
What is the largest part of the FAR?
It covers many of the contracts issued by the US military and NASA, as well as US civilian federal agencies. The largest single part of the FAR is Part 52, which contains standard solicitation provisions and contract clauses. Solicitation provisions are certification requirements, notices, and instructions directed at firms ...
What is a ratification package?
A ratification is the proper authorization by a contracting officer of an earlier procurement by a Government employee who was not authorized to do it. A ratification package has a legal memo that says an unauthorized commitment was made, that the commitment could properly have been done by contracting officers, and that funds were and are available for it. Other regulations and agency rules apply too, such as those from the Army discussed below.
What is the purpose of the FAR?
As the original purpose of the FAR was to consolidate the numerous individual agency regulations into one comprehensive set of standards which would apply government-wide, the issuance of supplemental regulations is closely governed by the FAR. Nearly every major cabinet-level department (and many agencies below them) has issued such regulations, which often place further restrictions or requirements on contractors and contracting officers.
How much can a principal assistant approve?
A Principal Assistant Responsible for Contracting can approve up to $100,000. A Head of Contracting Authority can approve higher amounts. Ratifications in the U.S. Army call for a signed statement describing the unauthorized commitment, the value of the procurement, and other documentation.
What is the General Services Acquisition Policy Division?
The General Services Acquisition Policy Division writes and revises the GSAM. The Division establishes and implements acquisition policies for the agency to fulfill immediate and long term acquisition goals and priorities.
What is a GSA acquisition manual?
GSA Acquisition Manual (GSAM): The GSAM incorporates the General Services Administration Acquisition Regulation (GSAR) as well as internal agency acquisition policy on how to acquire goods and services.
What is the FAR Division?
The Division coordinates with the Office Federal Procurement Policy and other agencies in a highly collaborative and deliberative process to implement laws, executive orders, other agency regulations, and government-wide policies to support the maintenance of the FAR.
Who writes and revises the FAR?
Statutory authorities to issue and revise the FAR have been delegated to the Procurement Executives in Department of Defense (DoD), GSA and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The Federal Acquisition Policy Division writes and revises the FAR.
What is the GSA?
GSA is responsible for two acquisition regulations : Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR): The FAR was established to codify uniform policies for acquisition of supplies and services by executive agencies.
Why Do Federal Contractors Need To Understand The FAR?
While the FAR is designed to better enable government employees in their purchasing decisions, it also offers valuable guidelines for Federal Salespeople trying to do business with the government. By understanding the FAR as a Federal Salesperson, you gain insight into:
Is The FAR The Only Acquisition Regulation I Need To Know?
The Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) is the primary acquisition regulation for the Federal government, however, it is not the only acquisition regulation. In fact, every government agency can issue their own agency acquisition document to supplement the guidance outlined in the FAR. As such, other regulations documents include:
Learn More About The FAR & What It Means For Your Sales Process
Register now for our OnDemand Federal Sales Certification Training course! The Execution module of our course covers key topics such as:
Overview
The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is the principal set of rules regarding Government procurement in the United States, and is codified at Chapter 1 of Title 48 of the Code of Federal Regulations, 48 CFR 1. It covers many of the contracts issued by the US military and NASA, as well as US civilian federal agencies.
The largest single part of the FAR is Part 52, which contains standard solicitation provisions an…
Structure
The Federal Acquisition Regulation is contained within Chapter 1 of Title 48 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Chapter 1 is divided into Subchapters A-H, which encompass Parts 1-53. Chapter 1 appears in two volumes, with Subchapters A-G appearing in Volume 1 while Subchapter H occupies all of Volume 2. The volumes are not formal subdivisions of Title 48, but refer instead to the fact that the FAR is printed by the Government Printing Office in two volumes for convenie…
Provisions
Part 1 refers to a "vision" and certain "guiding principles" for the Federal Acquisition System. The vision foresees "delivery on a timely basis [of] the best value product or service ... while maintaining the public's trust and fulfilling public policy objectives". Compliance with the Regulation, along with the use of initiative in the interests of the Government in areas not specifically addressed in the FAR or prohibited by law, are required and expected of all member…
Criticisms
Some have suggested that the complexity of complying with the FAR discourages competition, especially by small companies, and that there are "so many laws that we need to implement that our contracting officers in the trenches can’t even follow them all because they actually start to conflict with each other".
See also: Government Accountability Office, Managing the Supplier Base in the 21st Century.
See also
• Government procurement in the United States
• Federal Procurement Data System
• Sustainable procurement
• Title 48 of the Code of Federal Regulations
External links
• Acquisition.gov - Federal Acquisition Regulations
• Defense FAR Supplement
• NASA FAR Supplement
• FARSite