FAR 6—Competition Requirements

Scope of part.

FAR 6.000 is the scope statement for FAR Part 6, and it tells readers what this part is about and what it is not about. It covers the policies and procedures that promote full and open competition in federal acquisitions, including the rules for full and open competition, full and open competition after exclusion of sources, and contracting actions conducted using other than full and open competition. It also addresses the government’s broader obligation to advocate for competition in the acquisition process. Just as important, it draws a boundary around Part 6 by stating that it does not address the results of competition, such as whether a price is adequate because of competition; those issues are handled in other parts of the FAR, such as Part 15. In practice, this section matters because it tells contracting personnel and contractors where to look for the competition policy framework and prevents confusion between competition requirements and pricing or source-selection outcomes.

Subpart 6.1

Applicability.

FAR 6.001 defines the scope of FAR Part 6, which governs competition requirements and justifications for other than full and open competition. This section tells you when Part 6 does apply and, just as importantly, when it does not. It excludes simplified acquisitions under FAR Part 13, certain acquisitions made under other statutes, in-scope contract modifications and exercised priced options, orders under requirements and definite-quantity contracts, certain orders under indefinite-quantity contracts, and orders under task order and delivery order contracts under FAR Part 16.5. In practice, this means a contracting officer must first determine whether a contemplated action is even subject to Part 6 before applying synopsis, competition, and justification rules. The section is especially important because misclassifying an action can lead to using the wrong competition procedures, preparing an unnecessary justification, or failing to document an exception that actually applies.

Limitations.

FAR 6.002 is a short but important anti-circumvention rule in the competition requirements of FAR Part 6. It addresses one specific topic: when an agency may not place an order or contract with another agency for supplies or services if the real purpose is to avoid the competition requirements of Part 6. In practice, this means agencies cannot use interagency contracting, transfers, or similar arrangements as a workaround to bypass full and open competition, other-than-full-and-open-competition justifications, or other Part 6 procedures. The section protects the integrity of federal procurement by ensuring that the choice to buy from another agency is driven by legitimate acquisition needs, not by a desire to evade competition rules. For contracting officers and acquisition officials, it is a reminder to document the bona fide basis for interagency acquisitions and to ensure the transaction is authorized under applicable statutes, regulations, and agency procedures. For contractors, the practical effect is indirect: it helps preserve fair access to opportunities and reduces the risk that work will be steered through improper interagency channels.

Subpart 6.2

Subpart 6.3

[Reserved]

Subpart 6.4

Subpart 6.5