FAR 34.005-6—Full production.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 34.005-6 addresses when an agency may move from full-scale development into full production for a major system. It covers two core topics: the condition that the system must have been successfully tested during development, and the approval steps required before production can be awarded. In practice, this section is a gatekeeping rule that prevents agencies from committing to full-rate production too early, before the system has demonstrated it can perform as intended. It also makes clear that the decision is not automatic: the agency head must personally or formally reaffirm the mission need and program objectives and then approve proceeding with production. For contractors, this section signals that a production award depends not just on technical success, but also on high-level program validation and authorization. For contracting officers and program officials, it is a reminder that production decisions must be tied to documented test results and senior-level approval.
Key Rules
Successful testing required
Full production may be awarded only for major systems that were successfully tested during the full-scale development phase. The rule assumes the system has already demonstrated acceptable performance before the government commits to production.
Agency head reaffirmation
Before production can proceed, the agency head must reaffirm the mission need and program objectives. This ensures the agency still needs the system and that the program remains aligned with its original purpose.
Approval to proceed
The agency head must also grant approval to proceed with production. This is a separate decision from reaffirming need and serves as the formal authorization to move into the production phase.
Applies to major systems
This section is directed at major systems, not routine supplies or services. It is part of the acquisition discipline used for large, complex programs where the cost and risk of premature production are significant.
Production follows development
The rule reflects the transition from full-scale development to full production. It establishes that production is a later-phase decision dependent on development outcomes and senior management review.
Responsibilities
Agency Head
Reaffirm the mission need and program objectives, then grant approval to proceed with production before full production can be awarded.
Contracting Officer
Ensure the required approvals are in place before awarding a full production contract and verify that the system was successfully tested in full-scale development.
Program Manager / Acquisition Team
Provide the evidence and documentation supporting successful testing, continued mission need, and readiness to enter production.
Contractor
Demonstrate successful test performance during development and be prepared to support the government’s production decision with technical data and test results.
Practical Implications
This section creates a formal checkpoint before the government commits to large-scale production, so production awards should not be treated as routine follow-on actions.
A common pitfall is assuming that successful testing alone is enough; the agency head must also reaffirm the mission need and approve production.
Contracting officers should confirm that the approval is properly documented and comes from the correct level of authority before award.
Program teams should expect scrutiny of test results, program relevance, and readiness to produce, especially on high-cost or high-risk systems.
For contractors, the practical takeaway is that technical success must be paired with programmatic and leadership approval before production revenue can begin.
Official Regulatory Text
Contracts for full production of successfully tested major systems selected from the full-scale development phase may be awarded if the agency head- (a) Reaffirms the mission need and program objectives; and (b) Grants approval to proceed with production.