FAR 19.6—Subpart 19.6

General.

FAR 19.601 explains the Certificate of Competency (COC) program administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and how it affects federal responsibility determinations for small business offerors. It defines what a COC is, describes the SBA’s authority to certify a small business as responsible for a specific contract, and clarifies that the program covers all elements of responsibility such as capability, competency, capacity, credit, integrity, perseverance, tenacity, and limitations on subcontracting. The section also states the program’s limits, including that it does not resolve compliance questions enforced by other federal agencies and that it does not apply to 8(a) sole-source awards. It requires contracting officers to refer an apparently successful small business offeror to SBA when the offeror is found nonresponsible, even if the next acceptable offeror is also a small business. The section further explains how limitations on subcontracting and nonmanufacturer issues are handled, including when a matter goes through the COC process versus subpart 19.3, and it confirms that overseas contracting officers must follow these rules for U.S. small business concerns. Finally, it addresses a special rule for unrestricted acquisitions, allowing a small business nonmanufacturer seeking a COC to furnish any end item produced or manufactured in the United States or its outlying areas.

Procedures.