FAR 6.501—Requirement.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 6.501 implements the statutory requirement in 41 U.S.C. 1705 for each executive agency to designate an advocate for competition at both the agency level and for each procuring activity. This section addresses who must be designated, where those advocates must sit in the organization, what duties they may not be given, and the support they must receive to do the job effectively. In practice, it is an organizational accountability rule: agencies must create a visible, independent competition advocate function that can promote full and open competition and identify barriers to competition without being conflicted by unrelated responsibilities. The section matters because competition advocacy is not just a policy preference; it is a required management function tied to acquisition oversight, market access, and procurement planning. It also signals that the advocate must have enough organizational standing and resources to influence acquisition decisions and improve competition outcomes across the agency and its procuring activities.
Key Rules
Competition advocates required
Each executive agency must designate an advocate for competition for the agency and for each procuring activity. This means the function must exist at both the top agency level and within the procurement organizations that actually buy goods and services.
Separate from senior procurement executive
The advocate for competition must be in a position other than the agency senior procurement executive. The rule is intended to preserve independence and avoid concentrating the competition advocacy role in the same official who already has broad procurement management responsibilities.
No inconsistent duties
The advocate may not be assigned duties or responsibilities that are inconsistent with FAR 6.502. In practice, the role must not be burdened with conflicting functions that would undermine the advocate’s ability to promote competition objectively and effectively.
Adequate staff and assistance
The agency must provide staff or other assistance as necessary for the advocate to carry out the role. The regulation specifically contemplates support from specialists such as engineering, technical operations, contract administration, financial management, supply management, and small business utilization personnel.
Responsibilities
Head of each executive agency
Designate an advocate for competition for the agency and for each procuring activity, and ensure the position is properly established, independent from the senior procurement executive, and supported with sufficient assistance.
Advocate for competition
Carry out competition advocacy duties for the agency or procuring activity, using the support provided, and operate in a role that is not conflicted by inconsistent responsibilities.
Agency senior procurement executive
Remain separate from the advocate role and support the agency’s organizational structure so the advocate can function independently.
Agency/procuring activity leadership
Provide the advocate with the staff, specialists, and other assistance needed to perform the role effectively and to address competition issues across acquisition functions.
Practical Implications
Agencies must treat competition advocacy as a formal organizational assignment, not an informal collateral duty. If the role is not clearly designated, the agency may fail to meet a basic FAR requirement.
The independence requirement is important in practice because the advocate should be able to identify barriers to competition without being tied to the same management chain or workload that may create conflicts.
Support matters as much as designation: without technical, financial, contract administration, and small business expertise, the advocate may not be able to analyze barriers to competition or influence acquisition planning effectively.
A common pitfall is assigning the advocate too many unrelated duties, which can dilute the role and create inconsistency with the regulation.
Contracting organizations should expect the advocate to be involved in broader acquisition strategy and competition reviews, so agencies should ensure the position has enough access, visibility, and resources to be meaningful.
Official Regulatory Text
As required by 41 U.S.C. 1705 , the head of each executive agency shall designate an advocate for competition for the agency and for each procuring activity of the agency. The advocates for competition shall- (a) Be in positions other than that of the agency senior procurement executive; (b) Not be assigned any duties or responsibilities that are inconsistent with 6.502 ; and (c) Be provided with staff or assistance ( e.g., specialists in engineering, technical operations, contract administration, financial management, supply management, and utilization of small business concerns), as may be necessary to carry out the advocate’s duties and responsibilities.