FAR 1.101—Purpose.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 1.101 explains the purpose and scope of the Federal Acquisition Regulations System. It states that the system exists to codify and publish uniform acquisition policies and procedures for all executive agencies, so the government can buy goods and services under a common framework rather than a patchwork of inconsistent rules. It also defines what the system includes: the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) as the primary document, plus agency acquisition regulations that implement or supplement the FAR. Just as important, it clarifies what the system does not include: internal agency guidance of the type described in FAR 1.301(a)(2). In practice, this section tells users where the controlling acquisition rules live, how the FAR relates to agency supplements, and why internal guidance is not part of the formal regulatory system. That matters because contractors and contracting officials must know which documents are binding, which are supplemental, and which are merely internal management guidance.
Key Rules
Uniform acquisition system
The FAR System is established to codify and publish uniform policies and procedures for acquisition across all executive agencies. The goal is consistency in federal buying practices, so agencies operate under a common regulatory framework.
FAR is the primary document
The Federal Acquisition Regulation is the central and primary document in the system. It provides the baseline rules that apply governmentwide unless a valid agency-specific regulation or exception applies.
Agency supplements are included
Agency acquisition regulations that implement or supplement the FAR are part of the FAR System. These agency-level rules can add detail or agency-specific requirements, but they must operate within the FAR framework.
Internal guidance is excluded
The FAR System does not include internal agency guidance of the type described in FAR 1.301(a)(2). This means not every internal policy, handbook, or procedural memo is part of the formal regulatory system or has the same legal status as the FAR or an agency regulation.
Responsibilities
Executive Agencies
Follow the uniform acquisition framework established by the FAR System and issue agency acquisition regulations only as implementing or supplementing rules within that framework.
FAR Council / Regulatory System
Maintain the primary governmentwide acquisition regulation and ensure the system is published as a uniform set of policies and procedures for executive agency acquisition.
Agency Acquisition Officials
Use the FAR as the baseline authority and distinguish between binding agency acquisition regulations and internal guidance that is not part of the FAR System.
Contracting Officers
Apply the FAR and applicable agency acquisition regulations when conducting acquisitions, and avoid treating internal guidance as if it were a formal regulatory requirement unless it has been properly incorporated.
Contractors
Identify the controlling acquisition rules by looking first to the FAR and then to applicable agency acquisition regulations, while recognizing that internal agency guidance may not create enforceable requirements unless incorporated into the solicitation or contract.
Practical Implications
This section is a roadmap for authority: it tells users that the FAR is the starting point and that agency supplements may add requirements, but only within the system.
A common pitfall is confusing internal agency guidance with binding regulation; contractors should not assume every handbook, memo, or local procedure is enforceable.
Contracting officers should verify whether a requirement comes from the FAR, an agency supplement, or merely internal guidance before relying on it in a procurement action.
Because the system is meant to be uniform, deviations and agency-specific additions should be treated carefully and checked against the FAR structure.
For contractors, the practical takeaway is to read the FAR together with the relevant agency supplement, but to question whether any extra instruction is actually part of the formal acquisition rules.
Official Regulatory Text
The Federal Acquisition Regulations System is established for the codification and publication of uniform policies and procedures for acquisition by all executive agencies. The Federal Acquisition Regulations System consists of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), which is the primary document, and agency acquisition regulations that implement or supplement the FAR. The FAR System does not include internal agency guidance of the type described in 1.301 (a)(2).