FAR 6.201—Policy.
Plain-English Summary
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.
Key Rules
Use FAR 6.102 procedures
Acquisitions under this subpart must use the competitive procedures listed in FAR 6.102. The section does not permit a separate or informal competition method outside those prescribed procedures.
Competition is mandatory here
The policy is a requirement, not a preference. If an acquisition is being conducted under this subpart, the contracting activity must apply competitive procedures rather than proceed on a noncompetitive basis under this section.
Look to 6.102 for details
FAR 6.201 is a cross-reference provision. It establishes the policy and directs the user to FAR 6.102 for the specific competitive procedures that satisfy the rule.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Ensure that acquisitions covered by this subpart are conducted using one of the competitive procedures authorized by FAR 6.102 and document the procurement accordingly.
Agency
Structure acquisition planning and procurement practices so that requirements under this subpart are competed using the procedures allowed by FAR 6.102.
Contractor
Respond to solicitations and competition processes issued under the authorized FAR competitive procedures and understand that award will be made through a regulated competitive process.
Practical Implications
This section is a gatekeeping rule: if the acquisition is under this subpart, the contracting officer must use an authorized competitive procedure, not an ad hoc process.
A common pitfall is treating this section as if it authorizes competition by itself; it does not. The actual procedures must come from FAR 6.102.
Contracting officers should make sure the file clearly shows which FAR 6.102 procedure was used, because the policy depends on that linkage.
Contractors should expect a formal competition framework and should not assume the government can bypass the prescribed procedures without a separate legal basis.
Because the section is brief, users often overlook it; however, it is important as the policy anchor that connects the subpart to the FAR’s competition framework.
Official Regulatory Text
Acquisitions made under this subpart require use of the competitive procedures prescribed in 6.102 .