1.202
Agency compliance with the FAR
FAR 1.202 designates top agency officials as responsible for ensuring their organizations comply with the FAR, establishing clear accountability for procurement integrity.
Overview
FAR 1.202 establishes which senior officials are responsible for ensuring that their respective agencies comply with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Specifically, it assigns compliance oversight to the Secretary of Defense for military departments and defense agencies, the Administrator of General Services for most civilian agencies, and the Administrator of NASA for NASA activities. This section clarifies the chain of accountability for FAR adherence at the highest agency levels, ensuring that all federal procurement activities are governed by consistent rules and standards.
Key Rules
- Assignment of Compliance Responsibility
- The Secretary of Defense, Administrator of General Services, and Administrator of NASA are each responsible for ensuring their agencies comply with the FAR.
- Agency-Specific Oversight
- Each official's responsibility is limited to their respective agencies or activities (military, civilian, or NASA).
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Must follow agency policies and procedures that are established to ensure FAR compliance.
- Contractors: Must comply with FAR requirements as enforced by the contracting agency.
- Agencies: Must implement and oversee compliance programs under the direction of the designated official.
Practical Implications
- This section ensures clear accountability for FAR compliance at the agency level, which helps maintain uniformity and integrity in federal procurement.
- Contractors should be aware that ultimate compliance authority rests with these designated officials, which may affect how agency-specific policies are developed and enforced.
- Common issues include misunderstandings about who sets or interprets FAR compliance requirements within an agency.