FAR 13.105—Synopsis and posting requirements.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 13.105 explains how simplified acquisition procedures interact with the FAR’s public notice and synopsis rules. It covers when a contracting officer must comply with the public display and synopsis requirements in FAR 5.101 and 5.203, when an exception in FAR 5.202 may excuse those notices, and when a combined synopsis and solicitation may be used for commercial products, commercial services, or supplies and services acquired under FAR 12.102(f)(1). It also points the reader to related posting requirements for brand name justifications and documentation under FAR 13.106-1(b) and FAR 13.501, as well as the special publicizing rules that apply to actions funded in whole or in part by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. In practice, this section tells contracting officers how to publicize simplified acquisitions correctly, when a separate solicitation is unnecessary, what information must still be provided to vendors, and which special posting rules apply in certain circumstances. The purpose is to preserve competition and transparency while allowing streamlined buying methods under FAR Part 13.
Key Rules
Follow synopsis and display rules
The contracting officer must comply with the public display and synopsis requirements in FAR 5.101 and 5.203 unless a FAR 5.202 exception applies. This means simplified acquisitions are not automatically exempt from public notice requirements.
Use exceptions only when allowed
If an exception in FAR 5.202 applies, the contracting officer may be relieved from the normal synopsis or public display requirement. The exception must fit the facts of the acquisition; it is not a blanket waiver.
Combined synopsis and solicitation permitted
For commercial products, commercial services, or supplies or services acquired under FAR 12.102(f)(1), the contracting officer may combine the synopsis and solicitation into one notice. In that case, a separate solicitation is not required.
Provide enough detail for quotes
When using a combined synopsis and solicitation, the notice must include enough information for suppliers to prepare quotations or offers. The combined notice must be sufficiently clear and complete to support meaningful competition.
Post required justifications and documentation
The contracting officer must follow the posting requirements referenced in FAR 5.102(a)(6) for brand name justifications and the documentation requirements in FAR 13.106-1(b) or FAR 13.501, as applicable. These postings support transparency when limiting competition or using brand name descriptions.
Apply ARRA posting rules when relevant
For contract actions funded in whole or in part by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, proposed contract action notices must follow FAR 5.704 and award notices must follow FAR 5.705. These special rules override the normal simplified acquisition posting approach for those funded actions.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Determine whether public display and synopsis are required under FAR 5.101 and 5.203, or whether a FAR 5.202 exception applies. Decide whether a combined synopsis and solicitation is appropriate for the acquisition, ensure the notice contains enough information for vendors to quote or offer, and post any required brand name justification or supporting documentation. For ARRA-funded actions, use the specific notice and award posting procedures in FAR 5.704 and 5.705.
Agency
Maintain acquisition processes and posting systems that support required public notices, synopsis postings, and special statutory posting requirements. Ensure contracting personnel understand when simplified acquisition notices, brand name justifications, and ARRA-related postings must be made.
Suppliers and Contractors
Review combined synopsis/solicitation notices and any posted justifications or award notices to determine whether to submit quotations or offers. Monitor public postings for opportunities and understand that a combined notice may serve as both the synopsis and the solicitation.
Practical Implications
This section is a reminder that simplified acquisition procedures still require public notice in many cases; “simplified” does not mean “no synopsis.”
A common mistake is using a combined synopsis and solicitation without enough detail for vendors to prepare a responsive quote or offer, which can undermine competition and create protest risk.
Another frequent pitfall is failing to post required brand name justifications or related documentation when the acquisition limits competition or uses brand name descriptions.
For ARRA-funded actions, the contracting officer must use the special posting procedures rather than the ordinary simplified acquisition posting approach, so funding source must be checked early.
Contracting officers should confirm the applicable FAR Part 5 exception, posting method, and documentation requirement before issuing the notice, because the correct publicizing method depends on the acquisition type and funding source.
Official Regulatory Text
(a) The contracting officer must comply with the public display and synopsis requirements of 5.101 and 5.203 unless an exception in 5.202 applies. (b) When acquiring commercial products or commercial services, or supplies or services procured in accordance with 12.102 (f)(1), the contracting officer may use a combined synopsis and solicitation. In these cases, a separate solicitation is not required. The contracting officer must include enough information to permit suppliers to develop quotations or offers. (c) See 5.102 (a)(6) for the requirement to post a brand name justification or documentation required by 13.106-1 (b) or 13.501 . (d) When publicizing contract actions funded in whole or in part by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Pub. L. 111-5): (1) Notices of proposed contract actions shall follow the procedures in 5.704 for posting orders. (2) Award notices shall follow the procedures in 5.705 .