FAR 13.000—Scope of part.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 13.000 defines the scope of FAR Part 13, which is the government’s simplified acquisition framework. It explains that Part 13 applies to acquisitions of supplies and services, including construction, research and development, commercial products, and commercial services, when the aggregate amount does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT) in FAR 2.101. It also points readers to special authorities in Subpart 13.5 for certain commercial product and commercial service acquisitions above the SAT but within the stated dollar limits, including options, and to FAR Part 12 for commercial acquisitions above the micro-purchase threshold. In addition, it directs users to FAR 36.602-5 for simplified procedures when acquiring architect-engineer services. In practice, this section tells contracting personnel which streamlined rules apply, where the Part 13 authority ends, and when another FAR part or special procedure must be used instead.
Key Rules
Part 13 covers SAT buys
Part 13 applies to acquisitions of supplies and services, including construction, research and development, commercial products, and commercial services, when the total acquisition amount does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. This is the core boundary for using simplified acquisition procedures.
Subpart 13.5 special authority
Subpart 13.5 provides special authority for certain commercial product and commercial service acquisitions above the SAT but not exceeding $9 million, or up to $15 million for acquisitions described in 13.500(c), including options. This is a limited exception that expands simplified-style procedures for qualifying commercial buys.
Part 12 governs commercial items above micro-purchase
For commercial products and commercial services exceeding the micro-purchase threshold, FAR Part 12 supplies the applicable policies. This means commercial acquisitions do not automatically stay under Part 13 just because they are relatively small.
A-E services use separate procedures
Architect-engineer services are not handled under the general Part 13 framework alone; simplified procedures for those acquisitions are found in FAR 36.602-5. Contracting personnel must use the specialized A-E rules when applicable.
Thresholds control the applicable rules
The acquisition dollar value determines which procedures apply, so the SAT, micro-purchase threshold, and Subpart 13.5 dollar caps are critical decision points. Misidentifying the threshold can lead to using the wrong acquisition method.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Determine whether the acquisition falls within Part 13, Subpart 13.5, Part 12, or the architect-engineer procedures in FAR 36.602-5. The contracting officer must apply the correct threshold and use the proper streamlined procedures for the acquisition type and dollar value.
Agency
Ensure acquisition personnel understand the scope limits of Part 13 and route requirements to the correct FAR part or special authority. Agencies must maintain internal procedures that align with the applicable thresholds and acquisition categories.
Contractor
Recognize that simplified acquisition procedures may apply to certain solicitations and that the governing rules depend on the acquisition’s dollar value and type. Contractors should review the solicitation to confirm whether it is issued under Part 13, Part 12, or another specialized procedure.
Practical Implications
The main day-to-day issue is threshold selection: if the acquisition exceeds the SAT, Part 13 generally no longer applies unless Subpart 13.5 authority is available and properly used.
Commercial buys are not all treated the same. A commercial product or commercial service acquisition above the micro-purchase threshold may fall under Part 12 rather than Part 13, so buyers must check the applicable commercial-item rules.
Architect-engineer services are a common pitfall because they have their own simplified procedures; using ordinary Part 13 procedures without checking FAR 36.602-5 can create compliance problems.
Including options in the dollar calculation matters, especially for Subpart 13.5, because the stated dollar limits apply to the acquisition including options.
This section is mainly a roadmap provision: it does not tell you every procedural step, but it tells you which FAR framework to use before you start the procurement.
Official Regulatory Text
This part prescribes policies and procedures for the acquisition of supplies and services, including construction, research and development, commercial products, and commercial services, the aggregate amount of which does not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (see 2.101 ). subpart 13.5 provides special authority for acquisitions of commercial products and commercial services exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold but not exceeding $9 million ($15 million for acquisitions as described in 13.500 (c)), including options. See part 12 for policies applicable to the acquisition of commercial products and commercial services exceeding the micro-purchase threshold. See 36.602-5 for simplified procedures to be used when acquiring architect-engineer services.