FAR 18.113—Interagency acquisitions.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 18.113 is a very short cross-reference provision that addresses interagency acquisitions—purchases made by one federal agency on behalf of another. Its only substantive point is that these acquisitions are authorized only under certain conditions, and it directs readers to FAR subpart 17.5 for the actual rules governing when and how they may be used. In practice, this section matters because interagency acquisitions can raise issues of authority, competition, funding, oversight, and accountability, so agencies cannot assume they are automatically permitted simply because another agency can perform the work. The section signals that the legal and procedural framework for these transactions is found elsewhere in the FAR, especially the requirements for economy, efficiency, justification, and proper use of servicing agencies. For contractors, the practical significance is that the ordering agency and servicing agency relationship may affect solicitation terms, contract administration, and who is responsible for decisions. For contracting officers and acquisition officials, this section is a reminder to verify that the transaction fits within the interagency acquisition rules before proceeding.
Key Rules
Authorized Only Conditionally
Interagency acquisitions are not universally permitted; they may be used only when the conditions in the FAR are satisfied. This section does not create a blanket authority to place orders or delegate buying responsibility across agencies.
Refer to Subpart 17.5
The operative requirements for interagency acquisitions are located in FAR subpart 17.5. Users must consult that subpart to determine the applicable procedures, approvals, and limitations.
Cross-Reference, Not Procedure
This section functions as a pointer rather than a detailed rule set. It tells the reader where to find the governing standards, but it does not itself establish the full process for conducting an interagency acquisition.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Confirm that the proposed interagency acquisition is authorized under the applicable FAR provisions, especially subpart 17.5, before using another agency to obtain supplies or services.
Agency
Ensure that any interagency acquisition is supported by the required legal and policy basis and that the arrangement complies with the governing FAR requirements.
Acquisition Officials
Coordinate with the servicing or requesting agency as needed and verify that the transaction is structured in accordance with the interagency acquisition rules.
Contractor
Understand that the ordering and administering agency may differ from the requiring agency and follow the terms, instructions, and points of contact established under the applicable interagency arrangement.
Practical Implications
Do not treat interagency buying as automatic; the authority depends on the conditions in FAR subpart 17.5.
Because this section is only a cross-reference, users must look elsewhere for the real compliance steps, approvals, and limitations.
A common pitfall is assuming one agency can simply buy for another without checking whether the arrangement is legally and procedurally proper.
Contractors should pay close attention to which agency is issuing the order and which agency is administering the action, since that can affect communications, invoicing, and performance direction.
Contracting officers should document the basis for using an interagency acquisition to avoid later questions about authority or propriety.
Official Regulatory Text
Interagency acquisitions are authorized under certain conditions. (See subpart 17.5 .)