FAR 1.703—Class determinations and findings.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 1.703 explains how class determinations and findings (class D&Fs) work and what they are used for in federal contracting. It covers three core topics: what qualifies as a class D&F, what the supporting findings must show, and how long the authority lasts. It also addresses the contracting officer’s duty to make sure each individual contract action taken under the class D&F actually fits within the approved scope. In practice, this section matters because a class D&F can streamline repeated or related actions by avoiding the need to prepare a separate justification for every single action, but only if the class is defined correctly and the supporting facts are strong enough to justify the entire group. It is a control mechanism as much as an efficiency tool: agencies can use it to reduce duplication, but they must still document the basis for the authority and stay within the approved boundaries. For contractors, this section can affect how quickly recurring actions are approved and whether a contracting officer has valid authority to proceed.
Key Rules
Class D&F authorizes groups
A class D&F gives authority for a class of contract actions rather than just one action. The class may include actions involving the same or related supplies or services, or other actions that need essentially identical justification.
Findings must fully support action
The findings in the class D&F must fully support the proposed action for the class as a whole or for each individual action covered by the class. The justification cannot be partial, implied, or too general to support the specific actions being approved.
Expiration date is required
A class D&F must be issued for a specified period, and the document must state the expiration date. The authority does not continue indefinitely and must be time-limited.
Scope must be monitored
The contracting officer must ensure that each individual action taken under the class D&F stays within the scope of the approved class authority. Even if the class D&F is valid, an individual action outside its scope is not covered.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Ensure each individual contract action taken under a class D&F is within the scope of the approved class authority. The contracting officer must also rely only on a class D&F whose findings support the action and whose stated period has not expired.
Approving Official / Agency
Establish a valid class D&F that defines the class of actions, includes findings that fully support the covered actions, and states a specific expiration date. The agency must ensure the class is properly documented and limited to appropriate actions.
Contractor
Understand that actions taken under a class D&F depend on the government’s authority and scope limits. Contractors should watch for whether the action appears to fit the approved class and whether the authority is still in effect.
Practical Implications
Class D&Fs can save time when an agency expects multiple similar actions, but they only work if the class is described narrowly enough to be defensible.
A common pitfall is using a class D&F too broadly, then trying to apply it to an action that is similar but not actually within the approved scope.
Another risk is failing to include a clear expiration date or continuing to rely on the D&F after it has expired.
Contracting officers should check each action against the class definition, not just assume that a prior approval covers everything related.
For contractors, a class D&F may signal a faster path for recurring actions, but it does not eliminate the need for the government to stay within its documented authority.
Official Regulatory Text
(a) A class D&F provides authority for a class of contract actions. A class may consist of contract actions for the same or related supplies or services or other contract actions that require essentially identical justification. (b) The findings in a class D&F shall fully support the proposed action either for the class as a whole or for each action. A class D&F shall be for a specified period, with the expiration date stated in the document. (c) The contracting officer shall ensure that individual actions taken pursuant to the authority of a class D&F are within the scope of the D&F.