Part 8
Required Sources of Supplies and Services
FAR Part 8 mandates that federal agencies use specific government-preferred sources for supplies and services in a defined order before turning to commercial vendors, directly impacting contractor opportunities and eligibility.
Overview
FAR Part 8 establishes the required sources of supplies and services for federal government acquisitions, outlining the order of precedence and procedures for using mandatory sources before seeking commercial suppliers. It covers the use of excess personal property, Federal Supply Schedules (FSS), Federal Prison Industries (UNICOR), nonprofit agencies employing people who are blind or severely disabled (AbilityOne Program), and other specialized sources such as the Government Printing Office and vehicle leasing. The part is organized into subparts that detail policies, procedures, and compliance requirements for each source, ensuring agencies fulfill statutory obligations and maximize use of government-preferred suppliers.
Key Rules
- Order of Precedence
- Agencies must first consider mandatory sources (excess property, UNICOR, AbilityOne) before commercial sources.
- Federal Supply Schedules (FSS)
- Provides streamlined procedures for acquiring commonly used supplies and services from pre-approved vendors.
- Specialized Sources
- Includes rules for acquiring from Federal Prison Industries, AbilityOne, and for leasing motor vehicles or acquiring printing services.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Must follow the prescribed order of sources, document compliance, and use appropriate procedures for each source.
- Contractors: Should understand which mandatory sources may impact their eligibility and be prepared to work through FSS or as a supplier to mandatory programs.
- Agencies: Must oversee compliance, report use of mandatory sources, and ensure statutory requirements are met.
Practical Implications
- Ensures government purchases support statutory programs and preferred suppliers, impacting competition and market access for contractors.
- Contractors must be aware of these priorities to identify opportunities and avoid wasted effort on ineligible procurements.
- Noncompliance can result in procurement delays, protests, or contract invalidation.