FAR 35.017-3—Using an FFRDC.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 35.017-3 explains how federal agencies may use a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) and what controls apply when work is placed with one. It covers the core scope limitation for FFRDC work, the special rule for nonsponsoring agencies that use an FFRDC with the sponsor’s permission, the sponsor’s responsibility for ensuring the work stays within the FFRDC’s authorized purpose, the documentation a nonsponsoring agency must provide under FAR 17.503(e), the requirement for a determination and findings (D&F) under FAR 17.502-2(c) when applicable, and the option for a federal agency to contract directly with the FFRDC when the sponsor allows it. It also ties direct contracting to FAR Part 6, meaning competition and justification requirements may apply. In practice, this section is about making sure FFRDCs are used only for authorized work, with the right agency owning the required approvals and paperwork. It matters because FFRDCs are special-purpose entities, and misuse can create procurement, competition, and oversight problems.
Key Rules
Work must fit FFRDC purpose
All work placed with an FFRDC must fall within its purpose, mission, general scope of effort, or special competency. Agencies cannot use an FFRDC for unrelated work just because it is convenient or available.
Sponsor controls nonsponsor use
If a nonsponsoring agency uses the FFRDC and the sponsor permits that use, the sponsor is responsible for ensuring the work complies with the scope limitation in paragraph (a). The sponsor therefore has an oversight role even when another agency is the user.
Nonsponsor provides required documentation
When a nonsponsoring agency uses an FFRDC, it must provide the documentation required by FAR 17.503(e) to the sponsoring agency. This supports the sponsor’s review and helps document that the proposed work is appropriate.
Nonsponsor prepares D&F when required
If FAR 17.502-2(c) requires a determination and findings, the nonsponsoring agency must prepare the D&F and provide the required documentation to the sponsoring agency. The nonsponsor owns the justification package for its use of the FFRDC.
Direct contracting requires sponsor permission
A federal agency may contract directly with the FFRDC only when the sponsor permits it. In that case, the agency contracting directly is responsible for compliance with FAR Part 6, including any competition or justification requirements that apply.
Responsibilities
Sponsoring Agency
Ensure that all work placed with the FFRDC stays within the FFRDC’s purpose, mission, general scope of effort, or special competency. When a nonsponsor uses the FFRDC with sponsor permission, oversee compliance with the scope limitation and review the required supporting documentation.
Nonsponsoring Agency
When using an FFRDC with sponsor permission, provide the documentation required by FAR 17.503(e) to the sponsoring agency. If a D&F is required under FAR 17.502-2(c), prepare the D&F and submit the required documentation to the sponsor. If contracting directly with the FFRDC is allowed, comply with FAR Part 6.
Federal Agency Contracting Directly with FFRDC
Obtain sponsor permission before direct contracting with the FFRDC and ensure the acquisition complies with FAR Part 6. The agency must handle any required competition analysis, justification, or approval steps associated with the direct award.
FFRDC
Accept only work that falls within its authorized purpose, mission, general scope of effort, or special competency. The FFRDC should support the sponsor and user agencies in maintaining the required documentation and scope discipline.
Practical Implications
Before placing work with an FFRDC, confirm the requirement actually fits the center’s authorized scope; scope creep is the most common compliance risk.
If your agency is not the sponsor, do not assume you can use the FFRDC on your own authority—sponsor permission and the required documentation are essential.
Watch the D&F trigger carefully. When FAR 17.502-2(c) applies, the nonsponsoring agency must prepare the justification package, and missing or incomplete documentation can delay the acquisition.
Direct awards to an FFRDC are not a shortcut around procurement rules; if the sponsor allows direct contracting, FAR Part 6 still governs the acquisition path.
For contracting officers, the key practical task is to align three things at once: authorized FFRDC scope, sponsor approval, and the correct acquisition documentation under FAR 17.503(e), FAR 17.502-2(c), and FAR Part 6.
Official Regulatory Text
(a) All work placed with the FFRDC must be within the purpose, mission, general scope of effort, or special competency of the FFRDC. (b) Where the use of the FFRDC by a nonsponsor is permitted by the sponsor, the sponsor shall be responsible for compliance with paragraph (a) of this subsection. (1) The nonsponsoring agency shall provide the documentation required by 17.503 (e) to the sponsoring agency. (2) When a D&F is required pursuant to 17.502-2 (c), the nonsponsoring agency shall prepare the D&F and provide the documentation required by 17.503 (e) to the sponsoring agency. (3) When permitted by the sponsor, a Federal agency may contract directly with the FFRDC, in which case that Federal agency is responsible for compliance with part 6 .