FAR 11.603—Procedures.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 11.603 explains how the Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) is used in federal contracting and supply chains. It covers the two priority levels for rated orders, DO and DX; how those ratings compare to unrated orders and to each other; the DPAS rules on what makes a valid rated order, acceptance and rejection, preferential scheduling, flowdown of ratings to lower-tier suppliers, changes or cancellations, proper use of ratings, and limits on when ratings may be placed. It also identifies who has authority to place rated orders, including Delegate Agencies and certain other governments or agencies with approved authority, and it requires agencies to control and oversee compliance. In practice, this section tells contracting personnel and contractors how to issue, process, and honor priority-rated orders when national defense or other approved programs require expedited performance. It also directs parties to seek special priorities assistance when they cannot obtain needed performance or when an item is not automatically ratable, and it explains that Commerce can use enforcement tools such as directives, subpoenas, and inspection authorizations. Finally, it requires prompt reporting of DPAS violations, making this section both an operational guide and an enforcement framework for priority-rated procurement.
Key Rules
DO and DX priorities
DPAS establishes two rating levels: DO and DX. All DO orders have equal priority among themselves and outrank unrated orders, while all DX orders have equal priority among themselves and outrank both DO and unrated orders.
DPAS governs rated orders
Rated orders must comply with the DPAS rules in 15 CFR part 700, including the requirements for order elements, acceptance and rejection, scheduling, flowdown, changes or cancellations, proper use, and limits on placing ratings.
Only authorized parties may rate
Delegate Agencies may place rated orders for approved programs under authority from the Department of Commerce, and other U.S. Government agencies, Canada, and foreign nations may seek priority rating authority. Ratings cannot be used outside the authority granted by DPAS and related approvals.
Agency oversight is mandatory
Agency heads must ensure that contracting activities comply with DPAS and must issue specific internal guidance on when and how rated orders may be used, including general and jurisdictional limits.
Contracting officers follow agency procedures
Contracting officers must use their agency’s procedural instructions when placing or managing rated orders for approved agency programs. They do not act on personal discretion outside those instructions.
Seek special priorities assistance early
If a contracting officer, contractor, or subcontractor has trouble placing a rated order, getting timely delivery, finding a supplier, ensuring preferential treatment, or needs rating authority for an item not automatically ratable, they must promptly request special priorities assistance under agency procedures.
Commerce enforcement tools apply
The Department of Commerce may issue official actions to implement or enforce DPAS, including Ratings Authorizations, Directives, Letters of Understanding, Administrative Subpoenas, Demands for Information, and Inspection Authorizations.
Violations must be reported
Contracting officers must promptly report DPAS violations through agency procedures to the Department of Commerce office identified in the rule.
Responsibilities
Agency Heads
Ensure contracting activities within the agency comply with DPAS; provide specific guidance on issuing rated orders; communicate general and jurisdictional limits on rating authority; maintain oversight of agency use of priority ratings.
Contracting Officers
Follow agency procedural instructions for rated orders; place and manage rated orders only as authorized; seek special priorities assistance when problems arise; promptly report DPAS violations according to agency procedures.
Contractors
Honor rated orders in accordance with DPAS; give preferential treatment required by the rating system; seek special priorities assistance when they cannot place or receive timely performance under a rated order or need authority for a non-automatically ratable item.
Subcontractors at any tier
Comply with flowdown rated orders and provide preferential treatment as required by DPAS; seek special priorities assistance when they encounter performance or placement problems under a rated order.
Delegate Agencies
Place rated orders only for approved programs and within the authority granted by the Department of Commerce and the DPAS schedule.
Department of Commerce
Administer and enforce DPAS through official actions such as authorizations, directives, subpoenas, information demands, and inspection authorizations; receive and act on reported violations.
Practical Implications
Rated orders are not just “rush” orders; they carry legally defined priority rules that override normal scheduling and supplier preferences, so contractors must treat them as compliance obligations, not commercial requests.
A common mistake is using a rating without clear authority or outside agency instructions. That can create DPAS violations and may require corrective action or reporting.
Flowdown matters: if a prime contractor receives a rated order, lower-tier suppliers may also need to receive the rating and corresponding instructions so the priority is preserved through the supply chain.
When performance problems arise, parties should not wait until the delivery date has passed. The rule expects prompt use of special priorities assistance to resolve bottlenecks, supplier shortages, or rating questions.
Contracting officers should document and report suspected violations quickly, because DPAS enforcement can involve Commerce investigations and formal information requests, not just internal agency review.
Official Regulatory Text
(a) There are two levels of priority for rated orders established by the DPAS, identified by the rating symbols "DO" and "DX". All DO rated orders have equal priority with each other and take preference over unrated orders. All DX rated orders have equal priority with each other and take preference over DO rated and unrated orders (see 15 CFR 700.11 ). The DPAS regulation contains provisions concerning the elements of a rated order (see 15 CFR 700.12 ); acceptance and rejection of rated orders (see 15 CFR 700.13 ); preferential scheduling (see 15 CFR 700.14 ); extension of priority ratings (flowdown) (see 15 CFR 700.15 ); changes or cancellations of priority ratings and rated orders (see 15 CFR 700.16 ); use of rated orders (see 15 CFR 700.17 ); and limitations on placing rated orders (see 15 CFR 700.18 ). (b) The Delegate Agencies have been given authority by the Department of Commerce to place rated orders in support of approved programs (see Schedule I of the DPAS). Other U.S. Government agencies, Canada, and foreign nations may apply for priority rating authority. (c) Rated orders shall be placed in accordance with the provisions of the DPAS. (d) Agency heads shall ensure compliance with the DPAS by contracting activities within their agencies. (e) Agency heads shall provide contracting activities with specific guidance on the issuance of rated orders in support of approved agency programs, including the general limitations and jurisdictional limitations on placing rated orders (see 15 CFR 700.18 and Executive Order 12919). (f) Contracting officers shall follow agency procedural instructions concerning the use of rated orders in support of approved agency programs. (g) Contracting officers, contractors, or subcontractors at any tier, that experience difficulty placing rated orders, obtaining timely delivery under rated orders, locating a contractor or supplier to fill a rated order, ensuring that rated orders receive preferential treatment by contractors or suppliers, or require rating authority for items not automatically ratable under the DPAS, should promptly seek special priorities assistance in accordance with agency procedures (see 15 CFR 700.50-700.55 and 700.80). (h) The Department of Commerce may take specific official actions (Ratings Authorizations, Directives, Letters of Understanding, Administrative Subpoenas, Demands for Information, and Inspection Authorizations) to implement or enforce the provisions of the DPAS (see 15 CFR 700.60-700.71 ). (i) Contracting officers shall report promptly any violations of the DPAS in accordance with agency procedures to the Office of Strategic Industries and Economic Security, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 3876, Washington, DC 20230, Ref: DPAS; telephone: (202) 482-3634 or fax: (202) 482-5650.