1.101 Purpose
Source: FAR 1.101 on acquisition.gov
FAR 1.101 defines the FAR System as the authoritative source for uniform federal acquisition policies, supplemented by agency-specific regulations, but excludes internal agency guidance.
Overview
- FAR 1.101 establishes the purpose of the Federal Acquisition Regulations System, which is to provide a unified set of policies and procedures for acquisitions by all executive agencies. It clarifies that the FAR is the primary source of government-wide acquisition regulations, while allowing for agency-specific regulations that implement or supplement the FAR. Internal agency guidance not intended for public codification is excluded from the FAR System.
Key Rules
- Establishment of FAR System
- The FAR System is created to codify and publish uniform acquisition policies and procedures for executive agencies.
- Components of the FAR System
- The system includes the FAR as the main document and agency acquisition regulations that implement or supplement the FAR.
- Exclusions from the FAR System
- Internal agency guidance, as described in FAR 1.301(a)(2), is not part of the FAR System.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Must follow the FAR and any applicable agency acquisition regulations.
- Contractors: Should understand that the FAR and agency supplements govern federal acquisitions, not internal agency procedures.
- Agencies: Responsible for issuing regulations that implement or supplement the FAR, but must not include internal guidance in the FAR System.
Practical Implications
- This section clarifies the hierarchy and scope of acquisition regulations, ensuring consistency across federal agencies.
- Contractors must be aware that both the FAR and agency-specific regulations may apply to their contracts.
- Misunderstanding what constitutes the FAR System versus internal guidance can lead to compliance errors or misinterpretation of requirements.
The Federal Acquisition Regulations System is established for the codification and publication of uniform policies and procedures for acquisition by all executive agencies. The Federal Acquisition Regulations System consists of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), which is the primary document, and agency acquisition regulations that implement or supplement the FAR. The FAR System does not include internal agency guidance of the type described in 1.301(a)(2).