FAR 13.500—General.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 13.500 explains when and how contracting officers may use the simplified acquisition procedures in FAR Part 13 for commercial acquisitions above the simplified acquisition threshold, including options, up to $9 million, and up to $15 million in certain special circumstances. It ties those procedures to a key threshold requirement: the contracting officer must reasonably expect, based on the nature of the requirement and market research, that offers will be for commercial products or commercial services. The section also explains that contracting officers may use any simplified acquisition procedure in Part 13, but only within the dollar limits that apply to the specific procedure being used. In practice, the rule is designed to give the Government more speed, flexibility, and reduced administrative burden when buying commercial items in this dollar range. It also clarifies that when commercial products or services are acquired under Part 13, the requirements of FAR Part 12 apply, including the provisions and clauses in Subpart 12.3, subject to the order of precedence in 12.102(c). Finally, it identifies special authority under 41 U.S.C. 1903 allowing use of these simplified procedures up to $15 million for certain contingency, defense-against-attack, international disaster assistance, and emergency or major disaster support acquisitions, as well as acquisitions treated as commercial under 12.102(f)(1).
Key Rules
Standard dollar ceiling
Simplified acquisition procedures under this subpart may be used for commercial acquisitions above the simplified acquisition threshold but not exceeding $9 million, including options. The contracting officer must reasonably expect commercial products or commercial services based on the requirement and market research.
Use any Part 13 procedure
The contracting officer may use any simplified acquisition procedure in FAR Part 13, but must stay within the specific dollar limit that applies to the particular procedure chosen. This means the general authority in 13.500 does not override narrower limits elsewhere in Part 13.
Commercial item rules apply
When acquiring commercial products or commercial services under Part 13, FAR Part 12 applies, subject to the order of precedence in 12.102(c). This includes using the provisions and clauses in Subpart 12.3.
Expanded $15 million authority
Under 41 U.S.C. 1903, the simplified procedures may be used up to $15 million for certain commercial acquisitions supporting contingency operations, defense against or recovery from cyber, nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological attack, international disaster assistance, or response to an emergency or major disaster.
Special commercial treatment
The $15 million authority also applies when the acquisition will be treated as an acquisition of commercial products or commercial services under 12.102(f)(1). This provides an additional path to use the higher threshold when the acquisition qualifies for that treatment.
Purpose is efficiency
The purpose of these procedures is to give contracting officers more discretion and flexibility so commercial acquisitions in this dollar range can be solicited, evaluated, and awarded in a simplified way that maximizes efficiency and economy and reduces burden and administrative cost for both the Government and industry.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Determine, based on the nature of the requirement and market research, whether offers are reasonably expected to be for commercial products or commercial services. Select an appropriate simplified acquisition procedure in Part 13, comply with any specific dollar limits for that procedure, apply FAR Part 12 and the required commercial clauses when buying commercial items, and ensure the acquisition stays within the applicable $9 million or $15 million authority.
Head of the Agency
For the expanded $15 million authority, determine that the commercial acquisition is for use in support of a contingency operation, defense against or recovery from cyber, nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological attack, international disaster assistance, or response to an emergency or major disaster.
Agency Acquisition Team
Support the contracting officer with market research, acquisition planning, and documentation needed to justify use of simplified procedures and the applicable commercial-item framework.
Contractor/Industry
Respond to simplified solicitations for commercial products or services and understand that the Government may use streamlined procedures and commercial-item terms and clauses under FAR Part 12.
Practical Implications
This section is often used to speed up commercial buys that are too large for the normal simplified acquisition threshold but still suitable for streamlined treatment. The key practical question is not just price, but whether market research supports a reasonable expectation of commercial offers.
A common pitfall is assuming the $9 million ceiling is automatic for every Part 13 action; the contracting officer still has to check the specific procedure being used and any narrower limit that applies to it.
Another frequent mistake is overlooking the Part 12 overlay. If the acquisition is for commercial products or services, the contracting officer must still use the commercial-item framework, including the required clauses and the order of precedence rules.
The $15 million authority is not general-purpose authority for all acquisitions. It is limited to the specific circumstances listed in 13.500(c), and for the agency-head determination cases, that determination must be made before relying on the higher threshold.
For contractors, the practical effect is faster competition and award, but also a need to be ready for commercial-item terms, streamlined evaluation, and potentially shorter response times than in more formal FAR parts.
Official Regulatory Text
(a) This subpart authorizes the use of simplified procedures for the acquisition of supplies and services in amounts greater than the simplified acquisition threshold but not exceeding $9 million ($15 million for acquisitions as described in 13.500 (c)), including options, if the contracting officer reasonably expects, based on the nature of the supplies or services sought, and on market research, that offers will include only commercial products or commercial services. Contracting officers may use any simplified acquisition procedure in this part, subject to any specific dollar limitation applicable to the particular procedure. The purpose of these simplified procedures is to vest contracting officers with additional procedural discretion and flexibility, so that commercial acquisitions in this dollar range may be solicited, offered, evaluated, and awarded in a simplified manner that maximizes efficiency and economy and minimizes burden and administrative costs for both the Government and industry ( 10 U.S.C. 3205-3208 and chapter 241 and 41 U.S.C.3305 , 3306, and chapter 37, Awarding of Contracts). (b) When acquiring commercial products or commercial services using the procedures in this part, the requirements of part 12 apply subject to the order of precedence provided at 12.102 (c). This includes use of the provisions and clauses in subpart 12.3 . (c) Under 41 U.S.C. 1903 , the simplified acquisition procedures authorized in this subpart may be used for acquisitions that do not exceed $15 million when- (1) The acquisition is for commercial products or commercial services that, as determined by the head of the agency, are to be used in support of a contingency operation; to facilitate the 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; or to support response to an emergency or major disaster, or (2) The acquisition will be treated as an acquisition of commercial products or commercial services in accordance with 12.102 (f)(1).