FAR 51.000—Scope of part.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 51.000 is the scope statement for FAR Part 51, which tells readers what this part is about and what it is not. It covers the policies and procedures governing contractors’ use of Government supply sources and interagency fleet management system (IFMS) vehicles and related services. In practical terms, this part matters when a contractor is authorized or required to obtain supplies, equipment, vehicles, or vehicle-related support from Government sources instead of buying everything through its own commercial channels. The scope statement signals that the detailed rules in Part 51 are intended to control how contractors may access and use those Government-provided resources, including the conditions, limits, and administrative procedures that apply. For contracting officers and contractors, this section is important because it frames when Government property or services may be made available to support contract performance and helps prevent unauthorized use, misuse, or confusion about who may order, receive, or pay for those items and services.
Key Rules
Part 51 scope
This part applies to contractor use of Government supply sources and IFMS vehicles and related services. It establishes the policy and procedures that govern those uses.
Government sources only
The section is limited to contractor access to Government-provided supply sources and fleet resources, not general commercial purchasing rules. It is a scope provision, so it directs readers to the rest of Part 51 for the operative requirements.
IFMS coverage
The scope expressly includes interagency fleet management system vehicles and related services. That means fleet access, vehicle use, and associated support services fall within the part’s coverage when contractors are involved.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Determine when contractor use of Government supply sources or IFMS vehicles and related services is appropriate and ensure the applicable Part 51 procedures are followed.
Contractor
Use Government supply sources and IFMS vehicles or related services only when authorized and comply with the policies and procedures in Part 51.
Agency
Provide and administer Government supply sources and IFMS resources in a way that is consistent with Part 51 and the agency’s implementing procedures.
Practical Implications
This section is a gateway provision: it tells you that Part 51 governs contractor access to Government supply and fleet resources, so users should look to the rest of the part for the actual operating rules.
A common pitfall is assuming that because a contractor is performing Government work, it may freely use Government supply sources or fleet vehicles; authorization and compliance with Part 51 still matter.
Contracting officers should confirm that any contractor use of Government sources or IFMS resources is properly supported in the contract or otherwise authorized under the applicable procedures.
Contractors should treat Government supply sources and IFMS vehicles as controlled resources, not ordinary commercial inputs, and should verify ordering, use, accountability, and billing requirements before relying on them.
Because the section is only a scope statement, it does not itself grant blanket access; it simply identifies the subject matter and signals that detailed restrictions and procedures apply elsewhere in Part 51.
Official Regulatory Text
This part prescribes policies and procedures for the use by contractors of Government supply sources and interagency fleet management system (IFMS) vehicles and related services.