18.102 System for Award Management
Source: FAR 18.102 on acquisition.gov
SAM registration is not required at offer submission for certain urgent or emergency contracts, but is mandatory for access to the Disaster Response Registry for disaster relief work.
Overview
FAR 18.102 outlines exceptions and requirements related to contractor registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) during certain urgent or emergency contracting situations. While contractors are generally required to be registered in SAM before contract award, this section provides specific exceptions for contracts awarded under unusual and compelling urgency, or by contracting officers operating in military, diplomatic, or emergency contexts outside the U.S. However, registration in SAM is still required for contractors seeking access to the Disaster Response Registry, which is used for disaster and emergency relief activities. Contracting officers must consult the Disaster Response Registry to identify available contractors for specific relief tasks within the U.S. and its outlying areas.
Key Rules
- SAM Registration Exception for Urgent/Emergency Awards
- Contractors are not required to be registered in SAM at the time of offer submission for contracts awarded due to unusual and compelling urgency, or by officers in certain military, diplomatic, or emergency situations.
- SAM Registration for Disaster Response Registry
- Contractors must be registered in SAM to access the Disaster Response Registry.
- Contracting Officer Responsibility
- Contracting officers must use the Disaster Response Registry to identify contractors for disaster or emergency relief activities in the U.S. and outlying areas.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Must verify SAM registration requirements, consult the Disaster Response Registry for disaster/emergency contracts, and ensure compliance with exceptions.
- Contractors: Must register in SAM to access the Disaster Response Registry, but may be exempt from registration at offer submission for certain urgent/emergency contracts.
- Agencies: Oversee compliance with SAM registration and proper use of the Disaster Response Registry.
Practical Implications
- This section provides flexibility in urgent or emergency contracting, allowing awards without prior SAM registration in specific cases.
- Contractors seeking disaster response work must ensure SAM registration for access to the registry.
- Contracting officers must be diligent in consulting the Disaster Response Registry and understanding when exceptions apply.
(a) In accordance with 4.1102, contractors are not required to be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at the time of submission of offers or quotations for—
(1) Contracts awarded without providing for full and open competition due to unusual and compelling urgency (see 6.302-2); or
(2) Contracts awarded by a contracting officer–
(i) Deployed in the course of military operations;
(ii) Located outside the United States and its outlying areas, for work to be performed in support of diplomatic or developmental operations, in an area that has been designated by the Department of State as a danger pay post; or
(iii) In the conduct of emergency operations.
(b) However, contractors are required to be registered in SAM in order to gain access to the Disaster Response Registry.
(c) Contracting officers shall consult the Disaster Response Registry via https://www.sam.gov" target="_blank">https://www.sam.gov., Search Records, Advanced Search, Disaster Response Registry Search to determine the availability of contractors for debris removal, distribution of supplies, reconstruction, and other disaster or emergency relief activities inside the United States and outlying areas. (See 26.205).