FAR 6.304—Approval of the justification.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 6.304 explains who must approve a justification for other than full and open competition and when that approval is considered complete. It covers approval thresholds for individual justifications based on the proposed contract value, including the special approval rule for contracts awarded under FAR 6.302-7, the approval of class justifications, and the requirement to count the value of all options when determining the approval level. In practice, this section is the gatekeeper for noncompetitive acquisitions: it ensures that higher-dollar sole-source or limited-competition awards receive review at the right management level before award. It also ties approval authority to specific officials, limits delegation in most cases, and makes clear that agency procedures can impose higher approval levels than the FAR minimum. For contracting officers and program offices, the section is critical because an otherwise valid justification is not enough unless it is approved by the proper official in the proper form and at the proper dollar threshold.
Key Rules
Written approval required
A justification for other than full and open competition must be approved in writing, except for the special rule in paragraph (b). The approval must come from the level required by the dollar value of the proposed contract or by agency procedures if they require a higher level.
Under $900,000
For a proposed contract not exceeding $900,000, the contracting officer’s certification under 6.303-2(b)(12) serves as the approval unless agency procedures require a higher approving level. This is the lowest approval tier for individual justifications.
$900,000 to $20 million
For a proposed contract over $900,000 but not exceeding $20 million, approval must be by the advocate for competition for the procuring activity or by an official authorized under paragraph (a)(3) or (4). This authority is not delegable.
$20 million to $90 million
For a proposed contract over $20 million, but not exceeding $90 million, approval must be by the head of the procuring activity or a properly qualified designee. For DoD, NASA, and the Coast Guard, the threshold extends up to $150 million.
Highest-dollar approvals
For a proposed contract over $90 million, or over $150 million for DoD, NASA, and the Coast Guard, approval must be by the senior procurement executive designated under 41 U.S.C. 1702(c). This authority is generally not delegable, except that the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment may act as the senior procurement executive for DoD.
Special rule for 6.302-7
Any justification for a contract awarded under FAR 6.302-7 is considered approved once the determination required by 6.302-7(c)(1) is made, regardless of dollar amount. This is a separate approval mechanism from the normal dollar-threshold process.
Class justifications
A class justification for other than full and open competition must be approved in writing under agency procedures, and the approval level is based on the estimated total value of the class. Agencies may set the specific approval chain in their procedures.
Options count toward value
The estimated dollar value of all options must be included when determining the approval level for a justification. This prevents agencies from using a low base value to avoid a higher approval threshold.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Prepare or support the justification, ensure the required certification is made when applicable, and verify that the correct approval level is obtained before award. The contracting officer must also include the value of all options when calculating the approval threshold.
Advocate for Competition
Approve justifications in the $900,000 to $20 million range when designated for the procuring activity, unless a higher official is required by the agency or the dollar value falls under another approval tier.
Head of the Procuring Activity
Approve justifications over $20 million up to $90 million, or up to $150 million for DoD, NASA, and the Coast Guard, unless a properly qualified designee acts under agency authority.
Senior Procurement Executive
Approve justifications over $90 million, or over $150 million for DoD, NASA, and the Coast Guard, in accordance with agency procedures. This official serves as the top approval level for most high-dollar justifications.
Agency
Establish procedures that may require higher approval levels than the FAR minimum, and set the approval process for class justifications. Agencies also determine how approval authority is implemented within their organization.
Designee of the Head of the Procuring Activity
Approve justifications within the applicable dollar range only if the designee meets the required status criteria: a general or flag officer for military personnel, or a civilian in a position above GS-15 or equivalent.
Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment
Act as the senior procurement executive for the Department of Defense and exercise the nondelegable approval authority for the highest-dollar justifications under the DoD exception.
Practical Implications
The approval level is driven by the total estimated value, not just the base contract amount, so options can push a justification into a higher approval tier.
A justification is not ready for award until the correct approving official signs it in writing, unless the special 6.302-7 rule applies.
Agency procedures can be stricter than the FAR, so contractors and contracting officers must check internal approval thresholds before assuming the minimum FAR level is enough.
For class justifications, the approval path depends on the total estimated value of the class, which can be easy to overlook when multiple buys are grouped together.
A common pitfall is using an ineligible designee or assuming approval authority is delegable when the FAR says it is not; that can create a defective justification and delay or jeopardize the award.
Official Regulatory Text
(a) Except for paragraph (b) of this section, the justification for other than full and open competition shall be approved in writing— (1) For a proposed contract not exceeding $900,000, the contracting officer's certification required by 6.303-2 (b)(12) will serve as approval unless a higher approving level is established in agency procedures. (2) For a proposed contract over $900,000 but not exceeding $20 million, by the advocate for competition for the procuring activity designated pursuant to 6.501 or an official described in paragraph (a)(3) or (4) of this section. This authority is not delegable. (3) For a proposed contract over $20 million, but not exceeding $90 million, or, for DoD, NASA, and the Coast Guard, not exceeding $150 million, by the head of the procuring activity, or a designee who— (i) If a member of the armed forces, is a general or flag officer; or (ii) If a civilian, is serving in a position in a grade above GS-15 under the General Schedule (or in a comparable or higher position under another schedule). (4) For a proposed contract over $90 million or, for DoD, NASA, and the Coast Guard, over $150 million, by the senior procurement executive of the agency designated pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 1702(c) in accordance with agency procedures. This authority is not delegable except in the case of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, acting as the senior procurement executive for the Department of Defense. (b) Any justification for a contract awarded under the authority of 6.302-7 , regardless of dollar amount, shall be considered approved when the determination required by 6.302-7 (c)(1) is made. (c) A class justification for other than full and open competition shall be approved in writing in accordance with agency procedures. The approval level shall be determined by the estimated total value of the class. (d) The estimated dollar value of all options shall be included in determining the approval level of a justification.