6.300
Scope of subpart
FAR 6.300 defines the scope and legal basis for awarding contracts without full and open competition, guiding when exceptions to competitive procedures are permitted.
Overview
- FAR 6.300 establishes the scope for Subpart 6.3, which addresses the policies, procedures, and legal authorities that allow federal agencies to award contracts without full and open competition. This section serves as the entry point for understanding when and how exceptions to competitive procedures may be applied in government contracting.
Key Rules
- Prescribes Policies and Procedures
- Sets out the framework for contracting actions that do not require full and open competition.
- Identifies Statutory Authorities
- Points to the legal bases that justify exceptions to competitive contracting requirements.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Must understand and apply the correct statutory authority when pursuing non-competitive awards and follow the procedures outlined in this subpart.
- Contractors: Should be aware that certain contracts may be awarded without competition and understand the circumstances under which this can occur.
- Agencies: Must ensure oversight and justification for using exceptions to full and open competition.
Practical Implications
- This section exists to clarify when and how agencies can deviate from the standard requirement for full and open competition, ensuring such actions are legally justified and properly documented. It impacts daily contracting by outlining the initial step for pursuing sole source or limited competition awards, and failure to comply can result in protests or contract invalidation.