FAR 11.102—Standardization program.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 11.102 explains how agencies are supposed to handle standardization when defining what they need. It tells agencies to use existing requirements documents when possible, or to develop new requirements documents when necessary, and it ties that process to the Federal Standardization Manual (FSPM-0001). It also points DoD components to DoD Manual 4120.24, Defense Standardization Program (DSP) Procedures, and directs agencies dealing with information technology standards and guidance to the Federal Information Processing Standards Publications (FIPS PUBS). In practical terms, this section is about avoiding unnecessary duplication, promoting consistency across government requirements, and making sure agencies use the correct government-wide or department-specific standardization guidance before creating new specifications. It also identifies where these reference documents can be obtained, which matters because contractors and contracting officers often need to know which standards framework controls a requirement and where to find the authoritative source.
Key Rules
Use existing requirements first
Agencies should select existing requirements documents when they meet the agency’s needs. This reflects the government’s preference for reuse and consistency rather than creating new requirements documents unnecessarily.
Create new documents when needed
If existing requirements documents do not meet the agency’s needs, agencies may develop new requirements documents. Any new document must still be developed in accordance with the applicable standardization guidance.
Follow the Federal Standardization Manual
All agencies must follow the guidance in the Federal Standardization Manual, FSPM-0001, when selecting or developing requirements documents. This manual is the baseline standardization guidance for civilian agencies unless another specific rule applies.
Apply DoD standardization procedures
DoD components must use DoD Manual 4120.24, Defense Standardization Program (DSP) Procedures. This means DoD standardization actions are governed by DoD-specific procedures rather than only the general federal manual.
Use FIPS for IT standards
For information technology standards and guidance, agencies must use the Federal Information Processing Standards Publications (FIPS PUBS). These publications are the relevant reference point for IT-related standardization decisions.
Obtain authoritative sources
The section identifies where the Federal Standardization Manual, DoD Manual 4120.24, and FIPS PUBS may be obtained. This helps ensure users rely on official, current sources rather than unofficial copies or outdated references.
Responsibilities
Agencies
Select existing requirements documents that satisfy the agency’s needs, or develop new requirements documents when necessary, while following the applicable standardization guidance in the Federal Standardization Manual, DoD Manual 4120.24 for DoD components, and FIPS PUBS for IT standards.
DoD Components
Apply DoD Manual 4120.24, Defense Standardization Program (DSP) Procedures, when standardizing requirements or developing requirements documents within the Department of Defense.
Contracting Officers
Ensure solicitations and requirements rely on the proper standards framework, verify that referenced requirements documents are appropriate and current, and avoid unnecessary creation of unique specifications when existing documents will meet the need.
Requirements Developers / Program Offices
Identify whether an existing requirements document already meets the agency’s need before drafting a new one, and align any new or revised requirements with the applicable standardization guidance.
IT Standards Stakeholders
Use FIPS PUBS as the controlling reference for information technology standards and guidance, rather than relying on ad hoc or non-authoritative technical preferences.
Practical Implications
This section pushes agencies toward standardization and reuse, which can reduce duplication, improve interoperability, and make acquisitions easier to compete and administer.
A common pitfall is drafting a new requirements document without first checking whether an existing one already meets the need; that can create inconsistency and unnecessary customization.
For DoD buys, using the general federal standardization guidance alone is not enough — DoD-specific procedures may control and should be checked early.
For IT acquisitions, failing to consult FIPS PUBS can lead to requirements that are out of step with federal IT standards or that conflict with required guidance.
Contracting officers and program staff should verify they are using the current official source documents, since the section specifically points to official repositories for obtaining them.
Official Regulatory Text
Agencies shall select existing requirements documents or develop new requirements documents that meet the needs of the agency in accordance with the guidance contained in the Federal Standardization Manual, FSPM-0001; for DoD components, DoD Manual 4120.24, Defense Standardization Program (DSP) Procedures; and for IT standards and guidance, the Federal Information Processing Standards Publications (FIPS PUBS). The Federal Standardization Manual may be obtained from the General Services Administration (see address in 11.201 (d)(1)). DoD Manual 4120.24 may be obtained from DoD ( https://www.esd.whs.mil/Directives/Issuances/dodm or see 11.201 (d)(2) or (3)). FIPS PUBS may be obtained from the Government Publishing Office (GPO), or the Department of Commerce's National Technical Information Service (NTIS) (see address in 11.201 (d)(4)).