FAR 17.700—Scope of subpart.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 17.700 is the scope statement for FAR Subpart 17.7, which governs acquisitions of supplies and services by nondefense agencies when they are acting on behalf of the Department of Defense (DoD). It makes clear that compliance with this subpart is not a substitute for the broader interagency acquisition rules in FAR Subpart 17.5; instead, the two sets of requirements apply together. The section also identifies the legal authority behind the subpart, stating that it implements Pub. L. 110-181, section 801, as amended, codified at 10 U.S.C. 3201 note prec. In practical terms, this means contracting personnel must recognize when a non-DoD agency is buying for DoD and then apply both the general interagency acquisition framework and the DoD-specific policies and procedures in this subpart. The purpose is to ensure proper oversight, alignment with DoD requirements, and lawful use of interagency acquisition vehicles when DoD is the benefiting agency.
Key Rules
Subpart 17.7 is additive
Compliance with this subpart is required in addition to the policies and procedures in FAR Subpart 17.5. A contracting officer cannot treat Subpart 17.7 as replacing the general interagency acquisition rules.
Applies to nondefense agencies buying for DoD
This subpart specifically covers acquisitions of supplies and services by nondefense agencies on behalf of the Department of Defense. The trigger is the identity of the servicing agency and the beneficiary agency, not just the type of contract action.
DoD-specific procedures control
When a nondefense agency is conducting the acquisition for DoD, the agency must follow the special policies and procedures in this subpart in addition to any other applicable FAR requirements. This creates an extra compliance layer for these transactions.
Implements statutory authority
The subpart is issued to implement Pub. L. 110-181, section 801, as amended. That means the regulatory requirements are grounded in statute and must be read consistently with the underlying law.
Responsibilities
Nondefense Agency Contracting Officer
Identify when an acquisition of supplies or services is being conducted on behalf of DoD and apply both FAR Subpart 17.5 and the DoD-specific requirements in Subpart 17.7. Ensure the acquisition is handled under the correct legal and procedural framework.
Department of Defense Requirements/Program Personnel
Ensure that requirements routed through a nondefense agency are properly identified as DoD-supported acquisitions so the correct interagency acquisition rules are applied. Provide the necessary coordination and oversight expected for DoD-funded or DoD-benefiting actions.
Agency Acquisition Officials
Maintain policies, review processes, and internal controls that support compliance with the interagency acquisition rules and the additional requirements applicable when acting for DoD. Confirm that personnel understand the distinction between general interagency acquisitions and DoD-specific actions.
Contractors
Recognize that the contracting structure may involve a nondefense agency acting for DoD and that the applicable terms, oversight, and administrative procedures may reflect both general interagency acquisition rules and DoD-specific requirements. Follow the solicitation and contract terms issued under that framework.
Practical Implications
This section is a scope provision, so its main day-to-day effect is to alert acquisition teams that a DoD-on-behalf-of action has special rules beyond the normal interagency acquisition framework.
A common pitfall is assuming that compliance with FAR Subpart 17.5 alone is enough; for these actions, the DoD-specific requirements in Subpart 17.7 also apply.
Contracting officers should verify early whether the buying agency is a nondefense agency and whether the beneficiary is DoD, because that determines whether this subpart is triggered.
Because the section is tied to statutory authority, agencies should be cautious about informal workarounds or local practices that conflict with the prescribed procedures.
Contractors should pay close attention to which agency is issuing the action and which agency is the ultimate customer, since that can affect approvals, coordination, and administration.
Official Regulatory Text
(a) Compliance with this subpart is in addition to the policies and procedures for interagency acquisitions set forth in subpart 17.5 . This subpart prescribes policies and procedures specific to acquisitions of supplies and services by nondefense agencies on behalf of the Department of Defense (DoD). (b) This subpart implements Pub. L. 110-181, section 801, as amended ( 10 U.S.C. 3201 note prec.).