FAR 13.201—General.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 13.201 explains the basic operating rules for micro-purchases, which are the smallest federal buys and are intended to be fast, simple, and low-burden. This section covers delegation of micro-purchase authority, the preferred use of the Governmentwide commercial purchase card, the ability to use simplified acquisition methods in subpart 13.3, and the limited need for clauses and provisions. It also makes clear that micro-purchases still must comply with mandatory requirements in FAR part 8 and part 23, and it identifies several specific statutory and policy restrictions that apply even at the micro-purchase level, including higher emergency/contingency thresholds, SAM/Treasury Offset Program debt-check exceptions for card payments, the Kaspersky prohibition, covered telecommunications equipment and services restrictions, the covered application/TikTok prohibition, FASCSA order restrictions, and unmanned aircraft system prohibitions. In practice, this section is important because it shows that micro-purchases are simplified, but not exempt from all procurement rules; buyers still must screen for supply chain, cybersecurity, environmental, and statutory prohibitions before making the purchase.
Key Rules
Delegate micro-purchase authority
Agency heads are encouraged to delegate micro-purchase authority. In practice, this means agencies should spread buying authority to trained personnel so small purchases can be made quickly and efficiently.
Use purchase card first
The Governmentwide commercial purchase card is the preferred method for both purchasing and payment of micro-purchases. Agencies and buyers should default to the card unless another authorized method is more appropriate under agency procedures.
Use simplified methods if authorized
Purchases at or below the micro-purchase threshold may be made using any method in subpart 13.3, but only by personnel who are authorized and trained under agency procedures. The rule is about speed and flexibility, not unrestricted discretion.
Clauses generally not required
Micro-purchases do not require provisions or clauses except as provided in 13.202 and 32.1110. This overrides contrary FAR requirements, but it does not forbid including clauses when needed.
Part 8 still applies
The requirements in FAR part 8 apply to micro-purchases. Buyers must still consider mandatory sources and other part 8 ordering rules before buying at or below the threshold.
Part 23 still applies
The procurement requirements in FAR part 23 apply to micro-purchases. Environmental, energy, sustainable acquisition, and related requirements remain in force even for very small buys.
Higher threshold for certain emergencies
For qualifying contingency, cyber/CBRN defense or recovery, international disaster assistance, and emergency or major disaster support, the micro-purchase threshold increases to $25,000 inside the United States and $40,000 outside the United States. The purchase must have a clear and direct relationship to the qualifying support.
Card payments exempt TOP check
When the Governmentwide commercial purchase card is used as the payment method, micro-purchases are exempt from SAM verification for delinquent debt subject to Treasury Offset Program collection. This is a narrow payment-related exception, not a general exemption from other checks.
Kaspersky is prohibited
Do not buy hardware, software, or services developed or provided by Kaspersky Lab for Government use on or after October 1, 2018. This prohibition applies even to micro-purchases.
Covered telecom restrictions apply
The prohibitions on covered telecommunications equipment and services apply to micro-purchases. Buyers may not procure or extend/renew covered items or contracts unless an exception or waiver applies, and the broader contractor-use prohibition also applies.
TikTok/covered application ban applies
The prohibition on covered applications, including TikTok, applies to micro-purchases when performance may require presence or use of a covered application, such as social media advertising services, unless an approved exception is granted.
FASCSA orders must be followed
Micro-purchases may not include covered articles, or products or services produced or provided by a prohibited source, when barred by an applicable FASCSA order. This includes situations where contractor use of covered articles or sources is prohibited.
Drone prohibitions apply
The prohibitions on unmanned aircraft systems in FAR 40.202 apply to micro-purchases. Small-dollar status does not override drone-related restrictions.
Responsibilities
Agency Head
Delegate micro-purchase authority where appropriate and ensure the agency has procedures that support authorized, trained personnel using micro-purchase methods.
Contracting Officer / Authorized Purchaser
Use the purchase card as the preferred method when appropriate, select an authorized micro-purchase method, and ensure the purchase complies with all applicable FAR restrictions, mandatory sources, and prohibitions.
Agency Training/Policy Officials
Establish procedures and training so only authorized personnel use micro-purchase methods and understand applicable part 8, part 23, and supply chain/security restrictions.
Buyer / Cardholder
Make only authorized micro-purchases, verify the purchase is within the applicable threshold, confirm required compliance checks and prohibitions, and avoid prohibited items or sources.
Contractor / Vendor
Provide only permissible supplies or services and avoid offering items or services that are prohibited by Kaspersky, covered telecom, covered application, FASCSA, or unmanned aircraft restrictions when applicable.
Agency Acquisition and Program Personnel
Identify when a purchase supports a qualifying contingency, emergency, disaster, or cyber/CBRN response so the correct higher threshold can be used, and ensure the purchase has the required direct relationship to that support.
Practical Implications
Micro-purchases are meant to be fast, but they are not a compliance-free zone; buyers still must check mandatory sources, environmental rules, and supply chain/security prohibitions.
The purchase card is the default tool, so agencies should expect card-based buying processes, controls, and training to be central to micro-purchase operations.
A common mistake is assuming the low dollar value eliminates the need to screen for banned products or sources; Kaspersky, covered telecom, TikTok-related services, FASCSA orders, and drone restrictions still matter.
For emergency or contingency buys, the higher threshold is available only when the purchase clearly supports the qualifying mission and the location-based dollar limit is correct.
Because clauses are generally not required, buyers should not automatically add standard solicitation language to micro-purchases, but they also should not assume that omission of clauses removes statutory restrictions or agency-specific controls.
Official Regulatory Text
(a) Agency heads are encouraged to delegate micro-purchase authority (see 1.603-3 ). (b) The Governmentwide commercial purchase card shall be the preferred method to purchase and to pay for micro-purchases (see 2.101 ). (c) Purchases at or below the micro-purchase threshold may be conducted using any of the methods described in subpart 13.3 , provided the purchaser is authorized and trained, pursuant to agency procedures, to use those methods. (d) Micro-purchases do not require provisions or clauses, except as provided at 13.202 and 32.1110 . This paragraph takes precedence over any other FAR requirement to the contrary, but does not prohibit the use of any clause. (e) The requirements in part 8 apply to purchases at or below the micro-purchase threshold. (f) The procurement requirements in 23.1 apply to purchases at or below the micro-purchase threshold. (g) (1) For acquisitions of supplies or services that, as determined by the head of the agency, are to be used to support a contingency operation; to facilitate defense against or recovery from cyber, nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological attack; to support a request from the Secretary of State or the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development to facilitate provision of international disaster assistance pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 2292 et seq; or to support response to an emergency or major disaster ( 42 U.S.C. 5122 ), the micro-purchase threshold is— (i) $25,000 in the case of any contract to be awarded and performed, or purchase to be made, inside the United States; and (ii) $40,000 in the case of any contract to be awarded and performed, or purchase to be made, outside the United States. (2) Purchases using this authority must have a clear and direct relationship to the support of a contingency operation; or the defense against or recovery from cyber, nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological attack; international disaster assistance; or an emergency or major disaster. (h) When using the Governmentwide commercial purchase card as a method of payment, purchases at or below the micro-purchase threshold are exempt from verification in the System for Award Management as to whether the contractor has a delinquent debt subject to collection under the Treasury Offset Program (TOP). (i) Do not purchase any hardware, software, or services developed or provided by Kaspersky Lab that the Government will use on or after October 1, 2018. (See 4.2002 ). (j) (1) On or after August 13, 2019, do not procure or obtain, or extend or renew a contract to procure or obtain, any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system, unless an exception applies or a waiver is granted. (See subpart 4.21 .) (2) On or after August 13, 2020, agencies are prohibited from entering into a contract, or extending or renewing a contract, with an entity that uses any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system, unless an exception applies or a waiver is granted (see subpart 4.21 ). This prohibition applies to the use of covered telecommunications equipment or services, regardless of whether that use is in performance of work under a Federal contract. (k) The prohibition in subpart 4.22 on use of a covered application (“TikTok”) applies to purchases at or below the micro-purchase threshold where the performance of the contract may require the presence or use of a covered application, ( e.g. , where social media advertising services might be part of the procurement), unless an exception is granted in accordance with Office of Management and Budget Memorandum M-23-13 (see 4.2202 ). (l) Do not procure or obtain, or extend or renew a contract to procure or obtain, any covered article, or any products or services produced or provided by a source, including contractor use of covered articles or sources, if prohibited from doing so by an applicable Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act (FASCSA) order issued by the Director of National Intelligence, Secretary of Defense, or Secretary of Homeland Security (see 4.2303 ). (m) The prohibitions on unmanned aircraft systems (e.g., drones) in 40.202 apply to purchases at or below the micro-purchase threshold.