FAR 7.102—Policy.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 7.102 states the core policy for acquisition planning across all federal acquisitions. It requires agencies to do acquisition planning and market research for every buy, with the goal of maximizing the use of commercial products and commercial services, or if those are not available, nondevelopmental items. It also ties planning to competition policy by requiring full and open competition when applicable, or otherwise the maximum practicable competition consistent with the requirement and the nature of the supplies or services. In addition, it requires agencies to consider the appropriate contract type under FAR part 16 and to evaluate whether existing vehicles—such as pre-existing contracts, interagency contracts, and intra-agency contracts—can satisfy the need before creating a new contract action. The section also explains that acquisition planning must integrate all personnel who have significant roles in the acquisition, so the process is coordinated rather than siloed. Practically, this policy is meant to help the Government buy the right thing, in the right way, at the right time, while improving efficiency, economy, and timeliness. It also recognizes that agencies with established acquisition planning systems do not need to rewrite them if those systems already generally satisfy the detailed planning requirements in FAR 7.104 and 7.105.
Key Rules
Plan and research every acquisition
Agencies must perform acquisition planning and market research for all acquisitions. This is a universal policy requirement, not limited to large, complex, or high-dollar buys.
Prefer commercial solutions
Planning must promote acquisition of commercial products and commercial services to the maximum extent practicable. If commercial items will not meet the need, agencies should consider nondevelopmental items before turning to custom development.
Maximize competition
Agencies must plan for full and open competition when required, and when it is not required, they must still seek competition to the maximum practicable extent. The amount and form of competition should fit the nature of the supplies or services being acquired.
Choose the right contract type
Acquisition planning must include selection of an appropriate contract type under FAR part 16. The contract structure should match the risk, uncertainty, and performance needs of the acquisition.
Use existing contracts first
Before awarding a new contract, agencies must give appropriate consideration to pre-existing contracts, including interagency and intra-agency vehicles. This reflects a policy preference for leveraging available contract solutions when they can meet the requirement.
Integrate acquisition team efforts
Planning must bring together all personnel responsible for significant aspects of the acquisition. The purpose is to coordinate technical, legal, pricing, contracting, and program inputs so the Government can meet its needs effectively, economically, and on time.
Existing systems may suffice
Agencies with a detailed acquisition planning system that generally meets FAR 7.104 and 7.105 do not have to revise their system solely to mirror every requirement in this section. The key is functional compliance, not unnecessary duplication.
Responsibilities
Agency
Establish and carry out acquisition planning and market research for all acquisitions; structure planning to support commercial buying, competition, appropriate contract type selection, and use of existing contract vehicles; and ensure planning systems generally align with FAR 7.104 and 7.105.
Contracting Officer
Lead or ensure acquisition planning for the procurement, evaluate competition strategy, consider commercial and nondevelopmental item solutions, assess appropriate contract type, and determine whether existing contracts can satisfy the requirement before issuing a new award.
Program/Requirement Officials
Provide the operational need, technical requirements, and performance expectations; participate in planning; and help identify commercial alternatives, existing contract options, and acquisition risks.
Market Research Personnel
Gather and analyze market information to support decisions about commercial availability, nondevelopmental items, competition, and potential contract vehicles.
All Personnel with Significant Acquisition Roles
Coordinate their efforts during planning so the acquisition reflects legal, technical, pricing, schedule, and performance considerations in an integrated way.
Practical Implications
This section makes acquisition planning a mandatory starting point, not an afterthought. If planning is weak, the acquisition is more likely to miss commercial solutions, competition opportunities, or better contract vehicles.
A common pitfall is treating market research as a paperwork step instead of using it to shape the requirement. Proper research should influence whether the agency buys commercial, uses an existing contract, or needs a new solicitation.
Another frequent mistake is defaulting to a new contract without checking existing agency, interagency, or intra-agency vehicles. FAR 7.102 requires that those options be considered before creating a new award.
Contract type decisions should be made early, because they affect risk allocation, pricing, and administration. Choosing the wrong type can lead to cost growth, schedule problems, or poor performance outcomes.
Agencies with mature planning systems should verify that their processes actually cover the substance of FAR 7.102 and the related planning requirements, even if they do not need to rewrite their policies word-for-word.
Official Regulatory Text
(a) Agencies shall perform acquisition planning and conduct market research (see part 10 ) for all acquisitions in order to promote and provide for— (1) Acquisition of commercial products or commercial services, or to the extent that commercial products suitable to meet the agency’s needs are not available, nondevelopmental items, to the maximum extent practicable ( 10 U.S.C. 3453 and 41 U.S.C. 3307); and (2) Full and open competition (see part 6 ) or, when full and open competition is not required in accordance with part 6 , to obtain competition to the maximum extent practicable, with due regard to the nature of the supplies or services to be acquired ( 10 U.S.C. 3206(a)(1) and 41 U.S.C. 3306a)(1)). (3) Selection of appropriate contract type in accordance with part 16 ; and (4) Appropriate consideration of the use of pre-existing contracts, including interagency and intra-agency contracts, to fulfill the requirement, before awarding new contracts. (See 8.002 through 8.004 and subpart 17.5 ). (b) This planning shall integrate the efforts of all personnel responsible for significant aspects of the acquisition. The purpose of this planning is to ensure that the Government meets its needs in the most effective, economical, and timely manner. Agencies that have a detailed acquisition planning system in place that generally meets the requirements of 7.104 and 7.105 need not revise their system to specifically meet all of these requirements.