FAR 17.600—Scope of subpart.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 17.600 is the scope statement for Subpart 17.6, which addresses management and operating contracts. It tells readers that the subpart’s policies and procedures apply to management and operating contracts for the Department of Energy and for any other agency that has the necessary statutory authority to use this contracting approach. In practical terms, this section does not itself set detailed contract administration rules; instead, it defines the reach of the subpart and signals that special requirements for these contracts are limited to agencies legally authorized to use them. The section matters because management and operating contracts are a specialized contracting vehicle often used for complex, long-term operations, so agencies and contracting officers must first confirm they have authority before applying the subpart. Contractors also need to understand that these contracts are not generally available across the Government; they are tied to specific statutory authority and agency use. This scope provision therefore serves as the gateway to the rest of Subpart 17.6 and helps prevent unauthorized use of a specialized procurement method.
Key Rules
Applies to M&O contracts
This subpart covers management and operating contracts, meaning the policies and procedures in Subpart 17.6 are intended for that specific contract type rather than for all federal contracts.
DOE is expressly covered
The Department of Energy is specifically identified as an agency to which this subpart applies, reflecting DOE’s established use of management and operating contracts.
Other agencies need authority
Any other agency may use this subpart only if it has the requisite statutory authority. The section does not create authority; it only recognizes agencies that already have it.
Scope is limited to this subpart
FAR 17.600 is a scope provision, so it defines where the subpart applies but does not itself prescribe the detailed procedures found in the remaining sections of Subpart 17.6.
Responsibilities
Department of Energy
Use the policies and procedures in Subpart 17.6 when managing management and operating contracts, consistent with DOE’s statutory and regulatory authority.
Other Agencies
Confirm they have the requisite statutory authority before using the management and operating contract policies and procedures in this subpart.
Contracting Officers
Verify that the agency has authority to use a management and operating contract before applying Subpart 17.6 and structuring the acquisition accordingly.
Contractors
Understand that management and operating contracts are a specialized vehicle limited to authorized agencies and should not assume the approach is available in ordinary procurements.
Practical Implications
Before using Subpart 17.6, the agency must confirm it actually has statutory authority to award a management and operating contract; otherwise, the procurement approach may be improper.
This section is a gatekeeper, so the first compliance question is authority, not contract administration details.
Contracting officers should not treat management and operating contracts as a generic option for complex work; they are reserved for agencies with specific legal authorization.
Contractors pursuing these opportunities should check whether the agency is one that can lawfully use this contract type, since availability is limited.
Because the section is only a scope statement, users must look to the rest of Subpart 17.6 for the substantive rules governing these contracts.
Official Regulatory Text
This subpart prescribes policies and procedures for management and operating contracts for the Department of Energy and any other agency having requisite statutory authority.