1.303 Publication and codification
Source: FAR 1.303 on acquisition.gov
Agency acquisition regulations must be published and codified in a standardized format that parallels the FAR, ensuring consistency and transparency for all contracting parties.
Overview
FAR 1.303 outlines the requirements for the publication and codification of agency-wide acquisition regulations. It mandates that such regulations must be published in the Federal Register and codified under an assigned chapter in Title 48 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The format, arrangement, and numbering system of agency regulations must parallel the FAR, ensuring consistency and ease of reference. When an agency regulation implements a specific FAR provision, it must use corresponding numbering and titling. Supplementary agency material without a FAR counterpart must use numbers 70 and above within their assigned chapter. Exceptions are provided for certain issuances under FAR 1.301(a)(2), which do not require Federal Register publication.
Key Rules
- Publication Requirement
- Agency-wide acquisition regulations must be published in the Federal Register and codified in Title 48 CFR.
- Numbering and Format Consistency
- Regulations must parallel the FAR in format, arrangement, and numbering; implementing regulations must correspond to the relevant FAR section.
- Supplementary Material Numbering
- Agency regulations without a FAR counterpart must use numbers 70 and above in their assigned chapter.
- Exceptions to Publication
- Certain issuances under FAR 1.301(a)(2) are exempt from Federal Register publication.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Ensure reference to properly codified and published agency regulations.
- Contractors: Familiarize themselves with agency-specific regulations as published and codified.
- Agencies: Publish, codify, and number regulations in accordance with FAR 1.303; ensure exceptions are properly identified.
Practical Implications
- This section ensures transparency, consistency, and accessibility of agency acquisition regulations for all stakeholders.
- Contractors can reliably locate and interpret agency-specific rules due to standardized numbering and publication.
- Agencies must carefully manage the codification process to avoid confusion and ensure compliance with federal requirements.
(a) Agency-wide acquisition regulations shall be published in the Federal Register as required by law, shall be codified under an assigned chapter in Title 48, Code of Federal Regulations, and shall parallel the FAR in format, arrangement, and numbering system (but see 1.105-1(c)). Coverage in an agency acquisition regulation that implements a specific part, subpart, section, or subsection of the FAR shall be numbered and titled to correspond to the appropriate FAR number and title. Supplementary material for which there is no counterpart in the FAR shall be codified using chapter, part, subpart, section, or subsection numbers of 70 and up (e.g., for the Department of Interior, whose assigned chapter number in Title 48 is 14, Part 1470, Subpart 1401.70, section 1401.370, or subsection 1401.301-70).
(b) Issuances under 1.301(a)(2) need not be published in the Federal Register.