8.002 Priorities for use of mandatory Government sources
Source: FAR 8.002 on acquisition.gov
Government agencies and contractors must follow a strict order of precedence for sourcing supplies and services, prioritizing mandatory government sources before considering commercial options.
Overview
FAR 8.002 establishes the mandatory order of precedence for government agencies when sourcing supplies and services. Agencies must first consider their own inventories, then excess from other agencies, followed by Federal Prison Industries, products/services from the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, and finally wholesale supply sources like GSA and DLA. For services, priority is given to those on the Procurement List maintained by the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled. Only after exhausting these sources, or under specific exceptions (such as urgency or as otherwise provided by law), may agencies use other sources. This statutory obligation also extends to contractors procuring supplies or services for government use.
Key Rules
- Order of Precedence for Supplies
- Agencies must source supplies in the following order: agency inventories, excess from other agencies, Federal Prison Industries, Procurement List items (AbilityOne), and wholesale supply sources (e.g., GSA, DLA).
- Order of Precedence for Services
- Services on the Procurement List (AbilityOne) must be sourced before considering other providers.
- Exceptions
- Other sources may be used only as prescribed by regulation or in cases of unusual and compelling urgency.
- Contractor Obligation
- Contractors procuring on behalf of the government must also follow these sourcing priorities.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Ensure all acquisitions follow the mandatory source order and document compliance or exceptions.
- Contractors: Adhere to the same sourcing priorities when purchasing for government use.
- Agencies: Oversee compliance and ensure statutory obligations are met.
Practical Implications
- This section ensures government preference for certain sources, supporting federal programs and efficient resource use.
- Failure to follow the order of precedence can result in procurement violations.
- Contractors must be aware that these rules apply to their purchases for government contracts, not just direct agency buys.
(a) Except as required by 8.003, or as otherwise provided by law, agencies shall satisfy requirements for supplies and services from or through the mandatory government sources and publications listed below in descending order of priority:
(1) Supplies.
(i) Inventories of the requiring agency.
(ii) Excess from other agencies (see subpart 8.1).
(iii) Federal Prison Industries, Inc. (see subpart 8.6).
(iv) Supplies which are on the Procurement List maintained by the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled (see subpart 8.7).
(v) Wholesale supply sources, such as stock programs of the General Services Administration (GSA) (see 41 CFR 101-26.3), the Defense Logistics Agency (see 41 CFR 101-26.6), the Department of Veterans Affairs (see 41 CFR 101-26.704), and military inventory control points.
(2) Services. Services that are on the Procurement List maintained by the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled (see subpart 8.7).
(b) Sources other than those listed in paragraph (a) of this section may be used as prescribed in 41 CFR 101-26.301 and in an unusual and compelling urgency as prescribed in 6.302-2 and in 41 CFR 101-25.101-5.
(c) The statutory obligation for Government agencies to satisfy their requirements for supplies or services available from the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled also applies when contractors purchase the supplies or services for Government use.