FAR 29.001—Definitions.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 29.001 in this excerpt provides the controlling definitions used in Part 29 for two special categories of personnel and property in Afghanistan: "North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Forces" and "U.S. Forces." It explains that NATO Forces includes the Members of the Force, Members of the Civilian Component, NATO Personnel, and all property, equipment, and materiel of NATO, NATO Member States, and Operational Partners present in Afghanistan. It also defines U.S. Forces as the entity comprising the members of the force and civilian component, plus all property, equipment, and materiel of the United States Armed Forces present in Afghanistan. The purpose of these definitions is to establish exactly who and what is covered when Part 29 applies in the Afghanistan context, so contracting officers, contractors, and other stakeholders can determine the correct legal treatment, protections, and obligations. In practice, these definitions matter because they control the scope of any Part 29 requirements that depend on whether an item, person, or organization falls within NATO Forces or U.S. Forces, and they help avoid misclassification of personnel, assets, and contractual responsibilities.
Key Rules
NATO Forces definition
NATO Forces includes the Members of the Force, Members of the Civilian Component, NATO Personnel, and all property, equipment, and materiel of NATO, NATO Member States, and Operational Partners present in Afghanistan. The definition is broad and covers both people and physical assets.
U.S. Forces definition
U.S. Forces means the entity comprising the members of the force and civilian component, plus all property, equipment, and materiel of the United States Armed Forces present in Afghanistan. This definition ties the term to U.S. military personnel and assets in-country.
Afghanistan-specific scope
These definitions apply to the territory of Afghanistan and are intended for use within Part 29. Their meaning is context-specific and should not be assumed to apply identically in other parts of the FAR or in other geographic settings.
People and property both covered
Each definition includes not only personnel categories but also property, equipment, and materiel. That means the terms can affect both operational and logistical issues, not just questions about who is covered.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Use these definitions when applying Part 29 requirements in Afghanistan-related acquisitions or administration. The contracting officer must correctly identify whether a person, organization, or asset falls within NATO Forces or U.S. Forces before applying any related rule.
Contractor
Determine whether its personnel, subcontractors, equipment, or support activities interact with NATO Forces or U.S. Forces as defined here. The contractor must avoid assuming that all military-related entities are covered the same way and should verify the applicable status in Afghanistan.
Agency
Ensure acquisition personnel apply the Part 29 definitions consistently in Afghanistan-related matters. The agency should provide guidance so that contract language, compliance expectations, and operational coordination reflect the correct scope of these terms.
Practical Implications
These definitions are foundational: if a party or asset is misclassified, the wrong Part 29 rule may be applied or a required rule may be missed entirely.
Because the definitions include both personnel and property, contractors should check not only who is involved but also whose equipment, materiel, or facilities are implicated.
The Afghanistan-specific wording means users should be careful not to export these definitions to unrelated contracts or locations without confirming the governing text.
A common pitfall is treating NATO Forces and U.S. Forces as interchangeable; they are distinct categories with different membership and ownership elements.
When drafting or reviewing contract clauses, parties should confirm whether the work site, support activity, or property is in Afghanistan and whether the relevant entity is NATO, a NATO member state, an operational partner, or the U.S. Armed Forces.
Official Regulatory Text
As used in this part— North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Forces means the Members of the Force, Members of the Civilian Component, NATO Personnel and all property, equipment, and materiel of NATO, NATO Member States, and Operational Partners present in the territory of Afghanistan. U.S. Forces means the entity comprising the members of the force and of the civilian component, and all property, equipment, and materiel of the United States Armed Forces present in the territory of Afghanistan.