FAR 23.300—Scope of subpart.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 23.300 is the scope statement for Subpart 23.3, which means it tells you exactly what this subpart covers and, just as importantly, what it does not. It addresses two specific topics: first, the acquisition of deliverable items other than ammunition and explosives when the contractor must furnish data about hazardous materials; and second, the requirement to provide advance notification when radioactive materials will be delivered. In practice, this section signals that agencies and contracting officers must build the right hazardous-materials information and notification requirements into the procurement process, rather than treating them as afterthoughts. It also makes clear that ammunition and explosives are handled differently, because agencies may establish special procedures for those items. The practical significance is that this scope provision frames the compliance obligations that follow in the rest of the subpart, helping protect personnel, facilities, transportation systems, and the environment while ensuring the Government receives the information it needs to handle dangerous materials safely.
Key Rules
Hazardous-material data required
This subpart applies when the Government is buying deliverable items, other than ammunition and explosives, and the contractor must provide data about hazardous materials associated with those items. The rule is about ensuring the Government gets the information needed to identify, handle, store, transport, and use hazardous materials safely.
Ammunition and explosives excluded
Deliverable ammunition and explosives are not covered by this scope statement in the same way as other hazardous-material items. Agencies may prescribe special procedures for those items, so contracting personnel must look for agency-specific requirements rather than assuming the general hazardous-material rules apply unchanged.
Radioactive material notification
This subpart also covers advance notification before delivery of radioactive materials. The purpose is to give the receiving activity enough time to prepare for safe receipt, handling, security, and any required protective measures.
Scope only, not full procedure
FAR 23.300 does not itself impose the detailed data or notification steps; it identifies the subject matter of the subpart. The specific obligations, formats, timing, and clauses come from the rest of Subpart 23.3 and any applicable agency supplements.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Identify when deliverable items involve hazardous materials or radioactive materials, include the applicable solicitation and contract requirements, and ensure any agency-specific procedures for ammunition and explosives are applied when relevant.
Agency
Establish special procedures for ammunition and explosives when needed and ensure internal acquisition policies support safe handling, notification, and compliance for hazardous and radioactive materials.
Contractor
Provide the required hazardous-material data for covered deliverable items and give advance notification before delivering radioactive materials, following the contract terms and any applicable agency instructions.
Receiving Activity / End User
Use the advance notice and hazardous-material information to prepare for safe receipt, storage, handling, and any required protective or security measures.
Practical Implications
Contracting officers should screen requirements early to determine whether the item involves hazardous materials or radioactive materials, because the needed clauses and procedures may affect competition, pricing, packaging, and delivery schedules.
A common pitfall is assuming all dangerous items are treated the same; ammunition and explosives may be subject to separate agency procedures, so the contract file should show which rules were applied and why.
Contractors should not wait until shipment to address hazardous-material data or radioactive-material notice requirements; these obligations often affect proposal preparation, product documentation, and logistics planning.
Receiving organizations need advance notice to avoid unsafe deliveries, delays, or refusal of shipment, especially where special storage, trained personnel, or security controls are required.
Because this section is only the scope statement, users must consult the rest of Subpart 23.3 and any agency supplements to find the exact data elements, timing, and notification procedures.
Official Regulatory Text
This subpart prescribes policies and procedures for the following: (a) Acquiring deliverable items, other than ammunition and explosives, that require the furnishing of data involving hazardous materials. Agencies may prescribe special procedures for ammunition and explosives. (b) Providing notification of radioactive materials prior to delivery.