FAR 6.2—Subpart 6.2

Scope of subpart.

FAR 6.200 is a scope statement for the competition rules in FAR Subpart 6.2. It explains that this subpart governs the policies and procedures used when an agency intends to provide for full and open competition, but only after excluding one or more sources from competing. In practice, this means the subpart addresses situations where competition is still the goal, yet the contracting approach limits who may compete because certain sources have been removed from consideration. The section is important because it frames when and how agencies may structure a competitive acquisition after excluding sources, and it signals that the agency must still follow the competition requirements that apply to that kind of acquisition. For contractors, it helps identify when a procurement may be competitive but not open to all potential offerors. For contracting officers and acquisition planners, it marks the boundary of the subpart and reminds them that the procedures here are specifically about full and open competition after source exclusion, not about unrestricted competition or sole-source awards.

Policy.

FAR 6.201 is a short but important policy statement in the Competition Requirements subpart. It says that acquisitions made under this subpart must use the competitive procedures prescribed in FAR 6.102. In practical terms, this section ties the policy for full and open competition to the specific competition methods recognized by the FAR, rather than allowing agencies to invent their own approach. It matters because it confirms that when an acquisition falls within this subpart, the contracting officer must structure the procurement around one of the authorized competitive procedures, and the acquisition record should reflect that choice. The section does not itself describe the procedures in detail; instead, it points the reader to FAR 6.102 for the actual methods that may be used. For contractors, this means the government is expected to compete the requirement using established FAR competition rules, which affects how the solicitation is issued, how offers are evaluated, and how award decisions are justified.

Establishing or maintaining alternative sources.

FAR 6.202 explains when an agency may intentionally exclude a particular source from a contract action in order to establish or maintain alternative sources for the same supplies or services. The section is about preserving competition, protecting national defense and industrial mobilization interests, maintaining essential engineering/research/development capability, ensuring continuity of supply, meeting projected high-demand needs, and addressing critical medical, safety, or emergency supply needs. In practice, it gives agencies a limited exception to normal source selection rules when the government has a legitimate strategic reason to keep more than one source available. It also imposes a formal approval requirement: each action must be supported by a written determination and findings signed by the agency head or designee, and the authority cannot be used as a blanket class justification. The section further assigns technical and requirements personnel the job of supplying the data needed to justify the exclusion, and it requires a specific cost analysis when the agency relies on the competition/cost rationale. For contractors, this means a source may be excluded not because it is unqualified, but because the agency has documented a policy or mission-based reason to preserve another source. For contracting officers, it means the exclusion must be carefully justified, documented, and tied to one of the listed statutory-style purposes.

Set-asides for small business concerns.

FAR 6.203 explains how the Federal Acquisition Regulation treats set-asides for small business concerns within the competition framework. It covers three main topics: the authority of contracting officers to restrict competition to small businesses to satisfy statutory small business requirements, the inclusion of contract actions under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program established by Pub. L. 97-219, and the fact that no separate justification and determination (J&A) is required under FAR Part 6 when a contract action is set aside for small business. It also points readers to Subpart 19.5, which contains the detailed policies and procedures governing set-asides. In practice, this section confirms that small business set-asides are a recognized and routine acquisition tool, not an exception that needs a Part 6 justification, but they must still be implemented in accordance with the small business rules in Part 19. For contracting officers, it means the decision to set aside is driven by small business policy and procedures rather than Part 6 competition exceptions. For contractors, it signals that some solicitations will be limited to eligible small businesses, including certain SBIR-related actions, and that eligibility and compliance with Subpart 19.5 are critical.

Section 8(a) competition.

FAR 6.204 explains how the Competition in Contracting Act and the FAR treat section 8(a) acquisitions under the Small Business Act. It covers two core topics: first, that contracting officers may restrict competition to eligible 8(a) participants to satisfy the statutory 8(a) program requirements, and second, that no separate justification and approval or determination and findings under FAR Part 6 is needed just to use an 8(a) set-aside. The section also points readers to the 8(a) program rules in FAR subpart 19.8, which govern eligibility and program procedures, and it flags an important exception for sole-source 8(a) awards over $30 million, which must comply with FAR 6.302-5 and 6.303-1. In practice, this section matters because it tells agencies when they can use the 8(a) program as a competition-limiting tool without the usual Part 6 justification paperwork, while also warning that large sole-source 8(a) awards still trigger additional statutory and regulatory approval requirements. For contractors, it signals that competition may be limited to 8(a) participants, but only firms that are eligible and properly admitted to the program can compete.

Set-asides for HUBZone small business concerns.

FAR 6.205 is a short but important competition policy provision that addresses HUBZone small business set-asides. It covers two main topics: first, the authority of contracting officers to restrict a solicitation so that only HUBZone small business concerns may compete, and second, the fact that no separate justification or determination and findings (D&F) is required under FAR Part 6 to make that set-aside decision. In practice, this section implements the HUBZone Act of 1997 by confirming that HUBZone set-asides are a permitted acquisition strategy when the applicable HUBZone rules are met, and it removes an extra administrative hurdle that might otherwise slow the procurement process. The section points readers to FAR 19.1305 for the detailed eligibility and procedural requirements, so FAR 6.205 is best understood as the competition-policy authorization, not the full operational rule set. For contracting officers, it means HUBZone set-asides can be used without a Part 6 justification package; for contractors, it signals that some solicitations will be limited to HUBZone small business concerns only.

Set-asides for service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) concerns eligible under the SDVOSB Program.

FAR 6.206 addresses one specific competition tool in federal procurement: setting aside solicitations for service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) concerns that are eligible under the SDVOSB Program. It explains that contracting officers may restrict competition to SDVOSB concerns to satisfy the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003, and it cross-references the eligibility rules in FAR 19.1405. The section also makes clear that when a contracting officer uses this SDVOSB set-aside authority, no separate justification and determination and findings (J&A) is required under FAR Part 6. In practice, this means agencies can use a streamlined path to reserve work for eligible SDVOSB firms without going through the usual full-and-open competition justification process, so long as the set-aside is used consistently with the SDVOSB Program requirements. This section is important because it supports veteran-owned small business participation while reducing administrative burden for contracting officers.

Set-asides for economically disadvantaged women-owned small business (EDWOSB) concerns or women-owned small business (WOSB) concerns eligible under the WOSB Program.

FAR 6.207 addresses when contracting officers may use a set-aside specifically for economically disadvantaged women-owned small business (EDWOSB) concerns or women-owned small business (WOSB) concerns that are eligible under the WOSB Program. It ties the set-aside authority to the statutory requirements in 15 U.S.C. 637(m) and points the reader to the program eligibility rules in FAR 19.1505. The section also clarifies that, unlike many other set-aside or sole-source actions, no separate justification and determination and findings (J&A) is required under Part 6 to use this authority. In practice, this means the WOSB Program itself supplies the legal basis for the set-aside, so contracting officers should focus on whether the requirement fits the program and whether the offerors are properly eligible. The section is short, but it is important because it confirms both the availability of the set-aside tool and the streamlined documentation approach for these acquisitions.

Set-asides for local firms during a major disaster or emergency.

FAR 6.208 implements the special authority tied to 42 U.S.C. 5150 for disaster- and emergency-related local area set-asides. It explains when a contracting officer may restrict competition to firms that reside or primarily do business in the area affected by a Presidential declaration of a major disaster or emergency, and it points readers to FAR subpart 26.2 for the related procedures. The section also clarifies that this type of set-aside does not require a separate justification or determination and findings (D&F) under FAR part 6. In practice, the rule gives agencies a fast way to direct contract opportunities to local businesses to support response and recovery efforts, while still requiring the contracting officer to define the set-aside area within the declared disaster/emergency area and any additional areas identified by DHS.