FAR 24.000—Scope of part.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 24.000 is the scope statement for FAR Part 24, which tells readers what this part is about and why it exists. It explains that Part 24 prescribes policies and procedures for applying the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. 552a, and OMB Circular No. A-130 to Government contracts, and it also cites the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552, as amended. In practical terms, this means the part is focused on how agencies and contractors handle personal information, privacy protections, and related information-management requirements when the Government acquires goods or services. It does not itself create the detailed operational rules; instead, it signals that the rest of Part 24 contains the contract-level and administrative requirements for protecting records, controlling disclosure, and complying with federal privacy and information-access policy. For contracting officers and contractors, this section matters because it identifies the legal framework that may need to be built into solicitations, contracts, and day-to-day contract administration whenever contract performance involves personal data or records subject to privacy and disclosure rules.
Key Rules
Privacy Act coverage
Part 24 applies policies and procedures that implement the Privacy Act of 1974 in the contracting context. This means contract actions may need to address how personal records are collected, maintained, used, and protected when the Government or its contractors handle Privacy Act information.
OMB Circular A-130 application
The part also applies OMB Circular No. A-130 to Government contracts. In practice, this ties contract administration to federal information-management and privacy policy requirements that affect how information systems and records are managed.
FOIA is cited
Part 24 cites the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552, as amended. This signals that disclosure of Government records is part of the broader policy environment for this part, even though the scope statement itself does not lay out the detailed FOIA procedures.
Contract-focused procedures
The part is not a general privacy law summary; it prescribes policies and procedures for Government contracts. The rules in the rest of Part 24 are intended to be used in acquisition documents and contract performance, not just in agency internal administration.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Identify when a procurement involves Privacy Act records, privacy-sensitive information, or related information-management requirements, and ensure the appropriate FAR Part 24 policies and procedures are applied in the solicitation and contract.
Agency
Implement the Privacy Act and OMB Circular A-130 requirements in its acquisition and information-handling practices, including establishing the contract and administrative controls needed to protect records and manage disclosures.
Contractor
Follow the contract clauses, procedures, and handling requirements that flow from Privacy Act and information-management obligations when performing work involving Government records or personal information.
Practical Implications
This section tells you when to look to FAR Part 24: if a contract involves personal data, privacy-sensitive records, or information-disclosure issues, Part 24 may drive the required contract language and procedures.
A common pitfall is treating this scope statement as if it contains the full rule set; it does not. You must read the rest of Part 24, plus the Privacy Act, OMB Circular A-130, and any agency supplements, to know the actual requirements.
Contracting officers should flag privacy and records issues early in acquisition planning, because the need for Privacy Act handling can affect solicitation terms, contractor access, system controls, and post-award administration.
Contractors should not assume that only the agency has privacy obligations. If the contract requires handling covered records, the contractor may have direct performance duties and compliance risks.
FOIA is only cited here, so do not assume this section alone explains disclosure obligations. It simply places FOIA in the legal context for the part, which means records management and release issues may need separate analysis.
Official Regulatory Text
This part prescribes policies and procedures that apply requirements of the Privacy Act of1974 ( 5 U.S.C. 552a ) (the Act) and OMB CircularNo.A-130, December 12,1985, to Government contracts and cites the Freedom of Information Act ( 5 U.S.C.552 , as amended).