FAR 6.001—Applicability.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 6.001 defines the scope of FAR Part 6, which governs competition requirements and justifications for other than full and open competition. This section tells you when Part 6 does apply and, just as importantly, when it does not. It excludes simplified acquisitions under FAR Part 13, certain acquisitions made under other statutes, in-scope contract modifications and exercised priced options, orders under requirements and definite-quantity contracts, certain orders under indefinite-quantity contracts, and orders under task order and delivery order contracts under FAR Part 16.5. In practice, this means a contracting officer must first determine whether a contemplated action is even subject to Part 6 before applying synopsis, competition, and justification rules. The section is especially important because misclassifying an action can lead to using the wrong competition procedures, preparing an unnecessary justification, or failing to document an exception that actually applies.
Key Rules
Part 6 is the default rule
FAR Part 6 applies to all acquisitions unless one of the listed exceptions applies. The section is a threshold applicability rule, so the first question is whether the acquisition falls inside or outside Part 6 before any competition analysis is done.
Simplified acquisitions are excluded
Contracts awarded using simplified acquisition procedures under FAR Part 13 are outside Part 6. However, the cross-reference to FAR 13.501 means special rules still apply for sole-source acquisitions of commercial products or commercial services under the simplified acquisition threshold procedures in Part 13.5.
Statutory procedures may displace Part 6
Contracts awarded under contracting procedures expressly authorized by statute, other than those addressed in Part 6, are excluded. If Congress has provided a separate acquisition method, that statutory procedure controls instead of Part 6 competition requirements.
In-scope modifications and options are excluded
Contract modifications that are within the scope of the contract are not subject to Part 6, including the exercise of priced options that were evaluated as part of the original competition. The key issue is whether the change stays within the original scope and whether the option was already competed and evaluated.
Certain supply and quantity orders are excluded
Orders placed under requirements contracts or definite-quantity contracts are outside Part 6. These ordering actions are treated as part of the existing contract structure rather than as new acquisitions requiring separate Part 6 competition analysis.
Some indefinite-quantity orders remain covered only in limited ways
Orders under indefinite-quantity contracts entered into under Part 6 are excluded only if the original contract competition or justification already covered the order requirements. If the contract was awarded under subpart 6.1 or 6.2, all responsible sources must have been realistically permitted to compete for the order requirements; if awarded under subpart 6.3, the justification and approval must adequately cover the order requirements.
Task and delivery order contracts are excluded
Orders placed against task order and delivery order contracts entered into under FAR 16.5 are excluded from Part 6. These orders are governed by the ordering procedures and competition rules in Part 16, not by Part 6.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Determine whether the contemplated acquisition action falls within FAR Part 6 or within one of the listed exclusions. Apply the correct procedural framework, including Part 13, statutory procedures, scope analysis for modifications and options, and the ordering rules in Parts 16 and 17 as applicable.
Agency
Ensure acquisition planning and internal procedures correctly identify when Part 6 applies and when another authority governs. Provide training, oversight, and documentation standards so contracting personnel do not apply Part 6 to excluded actions or omit required analysis where Part 6 still applies.
Contractor
Understand that not every federal order or modification triggers a new Part 6 competition process. When competing for contracts or orders, pay attention to whether the action is a simplified acquisition, an in-scope modification, an option exercise, or an order under an existing vehicle, because protest and competition rights may differ.
Practical Implications
This section is a gatekeeper: before preparing a synopsis, competition strategy, or justification, the contracting officer must decide whether Part 6 even applies.
A common pitfall is treating an in-scope modification or exercised priced option like a new procurement; if it was already within scope and evaluated, Part 6 usually does not apply.
Another frequent mistake is assuming every order under an IDIQ contract is exempt; for some IDIQ orders, the original competition or J&A must already cover the order requirements.
For task order and delivery order contracts, the governing rules are in FAR 16.5, so using Part 6 procedures can create unnecessary work or incorrect documentation.
For contractors, the practical takeaway is that competition opportunities and protest avenues depend heavily on the type of acquisition vehicle and whether the action is a new procurement or merely an order or modification under an existing contract.
Official Regulatory Text
This part applies to all acquisitions except— (a) Contracts awarded using the simplified acquisition procedures of part 13 (but see 13.501 for requirements pertaining to sole source acquisitions of commercial products or commercial services, under subpart 13.5 ); (b) Contracts awarded using contracting procedures (other than those addressed in this part) that are expressly authorized by statute; (c) Contract modifications, that are within the scope of the contract, including the exercise of priced options that were evaluated as part of the original competition (see 17.207 (f)); (d) Orders placed under requirements contracts or definite-quantity contracts; (e) Orders placed under indefinite-quantity contracts that were entered into pursuant to this part when- (1) The contract was awarded under subpart 6.1 or 6.2 and all responsible sources were realistically permitted to compete for the requirements contained in the order; or (2) The contract was awarded under subpart 6.3 and the required justification and approval adequately covers the requirements contained in the order; or (f) Orders placed against task order and delivery order contracts entered into pursuant to subpart 16.5 .