7.101 Definitions
Source: FAR 7.101 on acquisition.gov
FAR 7.101 defines essential terms for acquisition planning, ensuring clarity and consistency in federal contracting processes.
Overview
FAR 7.101 provides definitions for key terms used throughout Subpart 7.1, which addresses acquisition planning. These definitions clarify the meaning of terms such as "acquisition streamlining," "life-cycle cost," "order," and "planner" to ensure consistent understanding and application in the acquisition planning process. Understanding these terms is essential for both government and contractor personnel involved in planning, soliciting, and managing federal contracts, especially when developing acquisition strategies and documentation.
Key Rules
- Acquisition Streamlining
- Refers to efforts aimed at making the acquisition process more efficient and cost-effective, focusing on including only necessary requirements at the right time.
- Life-Cycle Cost
- Encompasses all costs associated with acquiring, operating, supporting, and disposing of an item over its entire life.
- Order
- Defined as an order placed under a Federal Supply Schedule, task-order, or delivery-order contract, including those awarded by other agencies.
- Planner
- The individual or office responsible for developing and maintaining acquisition plans or performing planning functions.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Must use these definitions when preparing and reviewing acquisition plans and related documents.
- Contractors: Should understand these terms to align proposals and performance with government expectations.
- Agencies: Ensure personnel are trained on these definitions and apply them consistently in acquisition planning.
Practical Implications
- These definitions standardize terminology, reducing misunderstandings and ensuring compliance with acquisition planning requirements.
- Misinterpretation of these terms can lead to non-compliance or inefficiencies in the acquisition process.
- Contractors and planners should reference these definitions when preparing acquisition documentation or responding to solicitations.
As used in this subpart-
Acquisition streamlining means any effort that results in more efficient and effective use of resources to design and develop, or produce quality systems. This includes ensuring that only necessary and cost-effective requirements are included, at the most appropriate time in the acquisition cycle, in solicitations and resulting contracts for the design, development, and production of new systems, or for modifications to existing systems that involve redesign of systems or subsystems.
Life-cycle cost means the total cost to the Government of acquiring, operating, supporting, and (if applicable) disposing of the items being acquired.
Order means an order placed under a-
(1) Federal Supply Schedule contract; or
(2) Task-order contract or delivery-order contract awarded by another agency, (i.e., Governmentwide acquisition contract or multi-agency contract).
Planner means the designated person or office responsible for developing and maintaining a written plan, or for the planning function in those acquisitions not requiring a written plan.