FAR 15.000—Scope of part.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 15.000 is the scope statement for FAR Part 15, and it tells readers exactly what this part is about: the policies and procedures governing negotiated acquisitions, both competitive and noncompetitive. It also makes an important classification point by stating that any contract awarded using procedures other than sealed bidding is a negotiated contract, with a cross-reference to FAR 14.101 for the definition of sealed bidding. In practice, this section serves as the gateway to the rules that apply when an agency uses negotiation rather than sealed bidding, including how offers are solicited, evaluated, discussed, and awarded under Part 15. Its purpose is to define the reach of Part 15 so contracting officers, offerors, and reviewers know when these procedures apply and when another acquisition method controls. For contractors, it signals that the acquisition will be handled under negotiated procurement rules, which can affect proposal preparation, discussions, competitive range decisions, and award strategy. For contracting officers, it establishes that Part 15 is the governing framework whenever the agency is not using sealed bidding.
Key Rules
Part 15 covers negotiated acquisitions
This part prescribes the policies and procedures for both competitive and noncompetitive negotiated acquisitions. If the acquisition is not conducted under sealed bidding, Part 15 is generally the starting point for the governing procedures.
Non-sealed bidding means negotiated
A contract awarded using other than sealed bidding procedures is a negotiated contract. This classification matters because it determines which FAR rules apply to the acquisition process, including solicitation, evaluation, and award procedures.
Cross-reference to sealed bidding
The section points readers to FAR 14.101 for the definition of sealed bidding. That cross-reference helps distinguish negotiated procurement from sealed bidding and prevents confusion about which part of the FAR governs the acquisition.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Determine whether the acquisition is being conducted under sealed bidding or negotiated procedures, and apply FAR Part 15 when the procurement is not sealed bidding. Use the correct acquisition framework so the solicitation, evaluation, and award process follows the proper rules.
Agency
Structure the acquisition method consistently with the governing FAR part and ensure internal procedures align with negotiated procurement requirements when Part 15 applies.
Contractor/Offeror
Recognize that a procurement conducted other than by sealed bidding will follow negotiated acquisition rules, and prepare proposals and responses accordingly. Understand that the process may involve evaluation factors, discussions, and other Part 15 procedures rather than sealed-bid opening and award mechanics.
Practical Implications
This section is a threshold guidepost: before analyzing any Part 15 procedure, confirm that the acquisition is actually negotiated and not sealed bidding.
A common mistake is assuming all competitive procurements are the same; Part 15 applies to negotiated acquisitions, which can include both competitive and noncompetitive actions.
The cross-reference to FAR 14.101 is important because the sealed bidding/negotiated distinction controls which FAR part governs the procurement.
For contractors, this means proposal strategy should be built around negotiated procurement expectations, not sealed-bid assumptions such as public bid opening.
For contracting officers, misclassifying the acquisition method can lead to using the wrong procedures and creating protest or compliance risk.
Official Regulatory Text
This part prescribes policies and procedures governing competitive and noncompetitive negotiated acquisitions. A contract awarded using other than sealed bidding procedures is a negotiated contract (see 14.101 ).