FAR 13.002—Purpose.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 13.002 explains why the simplified acquisition procedures in FAR Part 13 exist and what they are meant to accomplish in federal contracting. It states that the part is designed to reduce administrative costs, improve opportunities for small business concerns—including small disadvantaged, women-owned, veteran-owned, HUBZone, and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses—to receive a fair share of Government contracts, promote efficiency and economy in contracting, and avoid unnecessary burdens on both agencies and contractors. In practice, this section is a policy statement that guides how contracting officers should use simplified acquisition methods and how agencies should structure buying actions to be faster, less burdensome, and more accessible to small businesses. It does not itself set detailed procedural steps, but it frames the intent behind those procedures and helps explain why simplified acquisition rules are more streamlined than full and open competition procedures. For contractors, it signals that Part 13 acquisitions are intended to be easier to participate in and less administratively demanding, especially for small businesses. For contracting personnel, it reinforces that speed and simplicity should not come at the expense of fair access or sound procurement judgment.
Key Rules
Simplified procedures purpose
Part 13 exists to prescribe simplified acquisition procedures. Those procedures are intended to streamline buying actions while still supporting sound procurement outcomes.
Reduce administrative costs
The Government should use simplified acquisition methods to lower the time, paperwork, and overhead associated with smaller purchases. This is meant to make routine acquisitions less resource-intensive for both the agency and the contractor.
Expand small business access
The policy specifically aims to improve opportunities for small business concerns, including small disadvantaged, women-owned, veteran-owned, HUBZone, and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, to receive a fair proportion of Government contracts.
Promote efficiency and economy
Agencies should use these procedures to obtain supplies and services efficiently and economically. The goal is to achieve needed results without unnecessary process or delay.
Avoid unnecessary burdens
The procedures should minimize avoidable administrative burdens on agencies and contractors. This supports faster awards, simpler competition, and less compliance overhead for lower-dollar acquisitions.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officers
Use simplified acquisition procedures in a way that reduces administrative burden, promotes efficiency, and supports small business participation. They should structure acquisitions to be practical and proportionate to the need, while still ensuring fair opportunity and sound business judgment.
Agencies
Design and conduct acquisition practices that take advantage of simplified procedures where appropriate and that do not impose unnecessary internal or contractor burdens. Agencies should also support the policy goal of giving small businesses a fair proportion of contract opportunities.
Contractors
Understand that simplified acquisitions are intended to be less burdensome and more accessible, especially for small businesses. Contractors should be prepared to respond efficiently and take advantage of the streamlined opportunity structure.
Small Business Concerns
Pursue opportunities under simplified acquisition procedures, since the policy expressly seeks to improve their access to Government contracts. Eligible small businesses should monitor these opportunities and compete when appropriate.
Practical Implications
This section is a policy foundation, not a detailed procedure rule, so users should read it together with the rest of FAR Part 13 for the actual buying steps and thresholds.
Contracting officers should remember that the point of simplified acquisition is not just speed; it is speed plus fair access, economy, and reduced burden.
A common pitfall is treating simplified acquisition as a reason to ignore small business considerations. The text specifically emphasizes fair opportunity for several categories of small business concerns.
Contractors, especially small businesses, should recognize that Part 13 is intended to make participation easier and less costly, which can lower barriers to entry.
Agencies should avoid adding extra internal review, documentation, or solicitation requirements that defeat the purpose of simplified acquisition unless another rule or business need clearly requires them.
Official Regulatory Text
The purpose of this part is to prescribe simplified acquisition procedures in order to- (a) Reduce administrative costs; (b) Improve opportunities for small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, veteran-owned, HUBZone, and service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns to obtain a fair proportion of Government contracts; (c) Promote efficiency and economy in contracting; and (d) Avoid unnecessary burdens for agencies and contractors.