FAR 6.302-6—National security.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 6.302-6 addresses the national security exception to full and open competition. It explains when an agency may limit competition because disclosing its needs would compromise national security, identifies the statutory authority behind the exception, and clarifies that the exception is not triggered simply because an acquisition is classified or because contractors will need access to classified information to compete or perform. The section also points to the required written justification and approval process in FAR 6.303 and 6.304, the synopsis requirements in FAR 5.202(a)(1), and the obligation to solicit as many potential sources as practicable. In practice, this provision is a narrow tool for protecting sensitive requirements while still preserving as much competition as security allows. It matters because agencies must balance mission security with competition policy, and contractors need to understand that national security is not a blanket excuse to bypass competition without a documented, supportable basis.
Key Rules
National security exception
Full and open competition is not required when disclosing the agency’s needs would compromise national security. The exception is tied to the risk created by revealing the requirement, not merely to the sensitivity of the contract itself.
Not based on classification alone
This authority may not be used just because the acquisition is classified or because access to classified information will be needed to submit a proposal or perform the contract. The agency must show that disclosure of the Government’s needs would itself compromise national security.
Written justification required
Any contract awarded under this authority must be supported by the written justification and approval procedures in FAR 6.303 and 6.304. The agency must document why the exception applies and obtain the required approvals before proceeding.
Synopsis rules still apply
Agencies must consider the synopsis requirements in FAR 5.202(a)(1). The national security exception does not automatically eliminate public notice obligations unless the synopsis exception applies.
Maximize sources practicable
Even when using this authority, agencies must request offers from as many potential sources as is practicable under the circumstances. The statute requires the agency to preserve competition to the greatest extent consistent with security needs.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Determine whether disclosure of the agency’s needs would compromise national security, ensure the exception is not used merely because the acquisition is classified, prepare and obtain the required written justification and approvals, and solicit as many potential sources as practicable.
Agency
Protect sensitive requirements, ensure the acquisition decision is properly documented, follow synopsis requirements or applicable exceptions, and support the contracting officer in limiting disclosure only to the extent necessary for national security.
Approving Official
Review and approve the justification required by FAR 6.303 and 6.304, confirming that the national security basis is valid and that the proposed limitation on competition is justified.
Contractor/Offeror
Understand that access to classified information may be necessary but does not by itself justify sole-source or limited competition; respond only to solicitations issued under the agency’s security and competition procedures.
Practical Implications
This section is a narrow exception, so agencies must be able to explain exactly how disclosure of the requirement—not just the contract’s classified nature—would harm national security.
A common pitfall is overusing this authority for classified work without showing that the requirement itself cannot be disclosed; that can create protest risk and documentation problems.
Contracting officers should still seek competition from all practicable sources, which may mean using cleared vendors or limited distribution rather than going straight to a single source.
The required justification and approval package is essential; if it is incomplete or approved at the wrong level, the acquisition may be vulnerable to challenge.
Contractors should not assume that a classified procurement is exempt from competition rules; the agency may still compete the requirement among cleared sources if disclosure can be controlled.
Official Regulatory Text
(a) Authority. (1) Citations: 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(6) or 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(6) . (2) Full and open competition need not be provided for when the disclosure of the agency’s needs would compromise the national security unless the agency is permitted to limit the number of sources from which it solicits bids or proposals. (b) Application . This authority may be used for any acquisition when disclosure of the Government’s needs would compromise the national security ( e.g., would violate security requirements); it shall not be used merely because the acquisition is classified, or merely because access to classified matter will be necessary to submit a proposal or to perform the contract. (c) Limitations. (1) Contracts awarded using this authority shall be supported by the written justifications and approvals described in 6.303 and 6.304 . (2) See 5.202 (a)(1) for synopsis requirements. (3) This statutory authority requires that agencies shall request offers from as many potential sources as is practicable under the circumstances.