FAR 18.205—Resources.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 18.205 is a reference-and-resource provision within the FAR’s emergency acquisition framework. It does not create a procurement method or impose detailed procedural requirements; instead, it points contracting personnel to two key guidance sources used during emergency and disaster-related acquisitions: the National Response Framework (NRF) and the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) Emergency Acquisitions Guide. The NRF explains the national all-hazards response structure, including the roles of local communities, States, the Federal Government, the private sector, and nongovernmental partners, and it highlights circumstances where the Federal Government takes a larger role, such as incidents involving Federal interests or catastrophic events requiring major State support. The OFPP guide provides acquisition-specific guidance for emergency situations. In practice, this section matters because emergency contracting often happens under time pressure, with heightened coordination needs and unusual authorities, so contracting officers and program officials need to understand the broader response framework as well as the procurement guidance that supports rapid, lawful action.
Key Rules
Use the NRF as response context
The National Response Framework is the government-wide guide for all-hazards domestic incident response. It explains the response principles, roles, and structures that shape how federal acquisition fits into a broader emergency response effort.
Recognize federal escalation roles
The NRF describes special circumstances in which the Federal Government takes a larger role, including incidents involving Federal interests and catastrophic incidents where a State needs significant support. Contracting actions in these situations should align with the broader response structure and coordination requirements.
Consult the OFPP emergency guide
The OFPP Emergency Acquisitions Guide is identified as a key acquisition resource for emergency situations. It is intended to help acquisition personnel understand how to plan and execute emergency procurements appropriately.
Use these as guidance resources
This section is informational rather than prescriptive. It directs users to authoritative references that support emergency acquisition planning and execution, but it does not itself establish separate contract clauses, thresholds, or approval requirements.
Coordinate across response partners
The NRF emphasizes coordination among communities, States, the Federal Government, the private sector, and nongovernmental partners. Emergency acquisitions should therefore be managed with attention to interagency and intergovernmental coordination, not just procurement mechanics.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Use the NRF and OFPP Emergency Acquisitions Guide as reference tools when supporting emergency or disaster-related acquisitions. Ensure procurement actions are consistent with the broader incident response structure and with applicable emergency acquisition guidance.
Program/Requirement Officials
Understand the incident response environment and work with contracting personnel to define urgent requirements in a way that fits the emergency response framework. Coordinate with response partners so acquisition actions support operational needs without creating avoidable delays or conflicts.
Agency
Maintain awareness of the NRF and OFPP guidance as part of emergency preparedness and acquisition planning. Ensure personnel involved in emergency response acquisitions know where to find these resources and how to apply them in practice.
Private-Sector and Nongovernmental Partners
Support coordinated response efforts as described in the NRF when engaged in emergency operations or related support activities. Follow the direction and coordination structure established by the applicable response framework and federal acquisition process.
Practical Implications
This section is mainly a roadmap: it tells acquisition personnel where to look when an emergency or disaster drives procurement decisions.
A common pitfall is treating emergency urgency as a reason to skip coordination; the NRF makes clear that response is multi-party and structured, so acquisition actions should fit the overall response effort.
Another risk is relying on memory or local practice instead of the OFPP Emergency Acquisitions Guide, which is specifically identified as a procurement resource for emergencies.
Contracting officers should use these references early, before award decisions are made, because emergency acquisitions often require fast but still disciplined planning.
Because the NRF is broader than procurement, users should not confuse incident response roles with contracting authority; the acquisition rules still come from the FAR and other applicable procurement authorities.
Official Regulatory Text
(a) National Response Framework . The National Response Framework (NRF) is a guide to how the Nation conducts all-hazards response. This key document establishes a comprehensive, national, all-hazards approach to domestic incident response. The Framework identifies the key response principles, roles and structures that organize national response. It describes how communities, States, the Federal Government, the private-sector, and nongovernmental partners apply these principles for a coordinated, effective national response. It also describes special circumstances where the Federal Government exercises a larger role, including incidents where Federal interests are involved and catastrophic incidents where a State would require significant support. The NRF is available at https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/117791 . (b) OFPP Guidelines . The Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) "Emergency Acquisitions Guide" is available at https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/legacy_drupal_files/omb/assets/procurement_guides/emergency_acquisitions_guide.pdf .