11.102
Standardization program
Agencies must base their requirements documents on established federal and agency-specific standardization manuals to ensure consistency and compliance in acquisitions.
Overview
FAR 11.102 requires agencies to use or develop requirements documents that align with established federal and agency-specific standardization guidance. Agencies must follow the Federal Standardization Manual (FSPM-0001) for general requirements, DoD Manual 4120.24 for Department of Defense components, and Federal Information Processing Standards Publications (FIPS PUBS) for IT standards. These documents provide the framework for ensuring consistency, interoperability, and efficiency in government acquisitions. The regulation also specifies where these manuals can be obtained, ensuring that contracting professionals have access to the necessary resources for compliance.
Key Rules
- Use of Standardization Guidance
- Agencies must select or develop requirements documents in accordance with the Federal Standardization Manual, DoD Manual 4120.24 (for DoD), and FIPS PUBS (for IT).
- Access to Standards
- Agencies must ensure they obtain the correct standardization manuals from the specified sources to guide their requirements development.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Ensure requirements documents comply with the appropriate standardization manuals and guidance.
- Contractors: Must be aware that agency requirements are based on these standardized documents and may need to demonstrate compliance.
- Agencies: Oversee the selection or development of requirements documents and maintain access to current standardization guidance.
Practical Implications
- This section ensures that requirements are developed consistently across agencies, reducing duplication and promoting interoperability.
- Contracting professionals must be familiar with the relevant manuals and standards to avoid non-compliance.
- Failure to use the correct standards can result in procurement delays or rejections.