1.102 Statement of guiding principles for the Federal Acquisition System
Source: FAR 1.102 on acquisition.gov
FAR 1.102 sets the core principles for federal acquisition, empowering acquisition teams to use sound judgment and initiative to achieve best value while maintaining integrity and fulfilling public policy.
Overview
FAR 1.102 establishes the foundational guiding principles for the Federal Acquisition System, emphasizing the delivery of best value products and services to customers while upholding public trust and policy objectives. It encourages teamwork, empowerment, and sound business judgment among all participants in the acquisition process, including government personnel, customers, and contractors. The section outlines key goals such as satisfying customer needs in cost, quality, and timeliness; maximizing use of commercial products and services; promoting competition; minimizing administrative costs; and conducting business with integrity and fairness. It also clarifies that acquisition team members are empowered to use initiative and discretion, provided their actions are not prohibited by law or regulation and are in the government's best interest.
(a) The vision for the Federal Acquisition System is to deliver on a timely basis the best value product or service to the customer, while maintaining the public’s trust and fulfilling public policy objectives. Participants in the acquisition process should work together as a team and should be empowered to make decisions within their area of responsibility.
(b) The Federal Acquisition System will-
(1) Satisfy the customer in terms of cost, quality, and timeliness of the delivered product or service by, for example-
(i) Maximizing the use of commercial products and commercial services;
(ii) Using contractors who have a track record of successful past performance or who demonstrate a current superior ability to perform; and
(iii) Promoting competition;
(2) Minimize administrative operating costs;
(3) Conduct business with integrity, fairness, and openness; and
(4) Fulfill public policy objectives.
(c) The Acquisition Team consists of all participants in Government acquisition including not only representatives of the technical, supply, and procurement communities but also the customers they serve, and the contractors who provide the products and services.
(d) The role of each member of the Acquisition Team is to exercise personal initiative and sound business judgment in providing the best value product or service to meet the customer’s needs. In exercising initiative, Government members of the Acquisition Team may assume if a specific strategy, practice, policy or procedure is in the best interests of the Government and is not addressed in the FAR, nor prohibited by law (statute or case law), Executive order or other regulation, that the strategy, practice, policy or procedure is a permissible exercise of authority.