FAR 1.3—Subpart 1.3

Policy.

FAR 1.301 explains who may issue agency acquisition regulations and internal guidance, what those issuances may cover, and when they must be published for public comment. It distinguishes between agency regulations that implement or supplement the FAR and internal management guidance such as delegations, assignments, workflow procedures, and reporting requirements. The section also ties agency rulemaking to the Federal Register comment process under FAR subpart 1.5 and 41 U.S.C. 1707 when a rule has a significant external effect or cost impact, while exempting purely internal guidance and certain implementing issuances that do not add new burdens. It further requires agencies to comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act and the Regulatory Flexibility Act when adopting acquisition regulations. Finally, it identifies the authority structure for issuing agency acquisition regulations across the military departments and defense agencies, NASA, and civilian agencies. In practice, this section matters because it controls when agencies can create binding procurement rules, how those rules become effective, and what procedural safeguards protect contractors, offerors, and the public from unexpected or burdensome agency-specific requirements.

Limitations.

FAR 1.302 explains the limits on agency acquisition regulations, meaning the rules an individual agency may add on top of the FAR. It covers two categories only: regulations needed to implement FAR policies and procedures within the agency, and additional policies, procedures, solicitation provisions, or contract clauses that supplement the FAR to meet the agency’s specific needs. The purpose is to keep agency-level acquisition rules from drifting beyond the FAR framework while still allowing agencies enough flexibility to address mission-specific requirements. In practice, this section matters because it controls how much an agency can customize its procurement rules, affects the validity and scope of agency supplements, and helps contractors understand whether a solicitation provision or clause is properly grounded in agency authority. It also reinforces consistency across the federal procurement system by making the FAR the baseline and agency regulations the exception, not the rule.

Publication and codification.

FAR 1.303 explains how agency acquisition regulations and certain agency issuances must be published, organized, and numbered so they fit within the overall Federal Acquisition Regulation system. It covers four main topics: publication in the Federal Register when required by law, codification in Title 48 of the Code of Federal Regulations under each agency’s assigned chapter, the requirement that agency regulations parallel the FAR’s format, arrangement, and numbering system, and the special numbering rules for agency material that implements a specific FAR provision or contains supplementary material with no FAR counterpart. It also addresses a limited exception for issuances under FAR 1.301(a)(2), which do not have to be published in the Federal Register. In practice, this section is about keeping agency supplements consistent, searchable, and legally proper so contractors and contracting personnel can quickly tell what is government-wide FAR text and what is agency-specific guidance. It helps prevent confusion, conflicting numbering, and improper publication practices that could undermine enforceability or usability of acquisition rules.

Agency control and compliance procedures.

FAR 1.304 explains how agencies must manage their own acquisition regulations so they do not undermine the FAR’s goal of uniform, flexible federal procurement rules. It covers three main subjects: agency control over issuing acquisition regulations and local directives, limits on repeating or conflicting with FAR text, and the duty to review agency-specific coverage for possible governmentwide use in the FAR. In practice, this section is about regulatory discipline: agencies may issue their own rules, but they must do so carefully, with formal review procedures, and only when the added guidance is necessary and legally permissible. The section exists to prevent unnecessary proliferation of agency-specific rules, reduce inconsistency across the federal acquisition system, and preserve the flexibilities built into the FAR. For contracting officers and contractors, the practical effect is that agency supplements and local directives should be checked for validity, necessity, and consistency with the FAR before they are relied on or enforced.