FAR 6.101—Policy.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 6.101 states the core competition policy for federal contracting: contracting officers must promote and provide for full and open competition when soliciting offers and awarding Government contracts, except where a limited exception applies under FAR subparts 6.2 and 6.3. It also requires contracting officers to use the competitive procedures in FAR Part 6 that are best suited to the particular contract action while still meeting the Government’s needs efficiently. In practice, this section is the policy foundation for competition decisions across federal acquisitions, tying the statutory competition mandate in 10 U.S.C. 3201 and 41 U.S.C. 3301 to day-to-day source selection planning. It tells agencies that competition is the default, not the exception, and that the chosen procedure must fit the acquisition’s circumstances rather than simply follow habit. This section matters because it drives acquisition planning, market research, justification of exceptions, and the selection of sealed bidding, competitive proposals, or other authorized competitive methods. For contractors, it signals that most opportunities should be competed and that agencies must have a lawful basis before limiting competition.
Key Rules
Full and open competition
Contracting officers must promote and provide for full and open competition in soliciting offers and awarding contracts. This is the baseline policy unless a valid exception applies under FAR subparts 6.2 or 6.3.
Limited exceptions only
The competition mandate is not absolute, but any departure from full and open competition must fit one of the limited exceptions recognized in the FAR. Those exceptions are handled in the separate subparts referenced by this section.
Use best-fit procedures
When competition is used, contracting officers must choose the competitive procedure or procedures in FAR Part 6 that are best suited to the acquisition circumstances. The goal is to match the method to the requirement, not to use a one-size-fits-all approach.
Efficiency still matters
The selected competitive procedure must also be consistent with the Government’s need to fulfill its requirements efficiently. Competition is required, but the process should not be more burdensome than necessary to meet the agency’s mission.
Statutory foundation
This policy implements the competition requirements in 10 U.S.C. 3201 and 41 U.S.C. 3301. Those statutes give the rule its legal force and explain why competition is the default rule in federal procurement.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Promote and provide for full and open competition unless a valid exception applies; select the competitive procedure in FAR Part 6 that best fits the acquisition; ensure the procedure supports efficient fulfillment of the Government’s requirement.
Agency
Structure acquisitions and internal processes to support competition as the default approach; ensure acquisition planning, market research, and procurement strategy align with the statutory and regulatory competition mandate.
Contractor
Understand that most federal requirements are competed; monitor solicitations for competitive opportunities; recognize that any restriction on competition must be legally justified under the FAR exceptions.
Practical Implications
Competition is the starting point for nearly every federal procurement, so acquisition planning should assume a competitive strategy unless a documented exception is available.
Choosing the wrong competitive procedure can create protest risk, delay awards, or lead to a procurement that is less efficient than necessary for the Government’s needs.
A common pitfall is treating an exception to competition as routine; if an acquisition is not fully competed, the agency must be able to point to the applicable FAR authority.
Contracting officers should align market research, acquisition strategy, and solicitation method early so the chosen procedure is defensible and practical.
For contractors, this section means opportunities should generally be expected to be competed, but also that agencies cannot limit competition without a lawful basis.
Official Regulatory Text
(a) 10 U.S.C. 3201 and 41 U.S.C.3301 require, with certain limited exceptions (see subpart 6.2 and 6.3 ), that contracting officers shall promote and provide for full and open competition in soliciting offers and awarding Government contracts. (b) Contracting officers shall provide for full and open competition through use of the competitive procedure(s) contained in this subpart that are best suited to the circumstances of the contract action and consistent with the need to fulfill the Government’s requirements efficiently ( 10 U.S.C. 3201 and 41 U.S.C. 3301 ).