FAR 8.002—Priorities for use of mandatory Government sources.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 8.002 establishes the mandatory order of precedence for meeting federal requirements for supplies and services from government-designated sources. It tells agencies which sources must be used first for supplies—agency inventories, excess from other agencies, Federal Prison Industries, the Procurement List for supplies, and then wholesale supply sources such as GSA, DLA, VA, and military inventory control points—and it separately identifies the mandatory source for services on the Procurement List. The section also explains limited circumstances when other sources may be used, including the rules in 41 CFR 101-26.301 and exceptions for unusual and compelling urgency under FAR 6.302-2 and 41 CFR 101-25.101-5. Finally, it extends the mandatory-source obligation to contractor purchases made for Government use, which means contractors cannot bypass required sources simply because they are buying on behalf of the Government. In practice, this section is about source selection discipline: before buying from commercial sources, agencies and contractors must check whether a mandatory source applies and document any lawful exception.
Key Rules
Use mandatory sources first
Agencies must satisfy requirements from the listed mandatory Government sources in the order shown, unless another law or FAR 8.003 requires a different result. This is a priority rule, not a suggestion, and it applies before turning to open-market purchasing.
Supply source order matters
For supplies, the required sequence is: agency inventories, excess from other agencies, Federal Prison Industries, Procurement List supplies, and then wholesale supply sources such as GSA, DLA, VA, and military inventory control points. Agencies should not skip ahead in the sequence without a valid basis.
Services on Procurement List are mandatory
For services, the mandatory source identified here is the Procurement List maintained by the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled. If the needed service is on that list, it must be obtained through that program unless an exception applies.
Limited use of other sources
Sources outside the mandatory list may be used only as allowed by 41 CFR 101-26.301 or in an unusual and compelling urgency under FAR 6.302-2 and 41 CFR 101-25.101-5. These are narrow exceptions and should be supported by the required justification and approvals.
Contractor purchases are covered
The mandatory-source requirement also applies when contractors buy supplies or services for Government use. A contractor acting as a purchasing agent or under a contract requirement cannot ignore the same statutory sourcing obligations that bind the agency.
Regulatory cross-references control details
This section points to other authorities for implementation, including subparts 8.1, 8.6, and 8.7 and the cited CFR provisions. Users must read those cross-references to determine how to check availability, order correctly, and document exceptions.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Ensure requirements are screened against mandatory Government sources in the required order before using commercial or other nonmandatory sources. Document any exception or urgency basis and make sure solicitations, awards, and purchase actions comply with the applicable cross-referenced rules.
Requiring Activity / Program Office
Identify the supply or service need early enough to allow mandatory-source screening and provide accurate descriptions so the contracting office can determine whether a mandatory source is available. Avoid specifying commercial sources when a mandatory source may satisfy the requirement.
Agency
Maintain compliance with the mandatory-source hierarchy and use agency inventories, excess property channels, and required programs before open-market procurement. Follow the cited property and supply regulations when determining availability and ordering procedures.
Contractor
When purchasing supplies or services for Government use, check whether the item or service is available from a mandatory source and buy from that source when required. Do not substitute commercial sources unless the contract and applicable law/regulations permit it.
Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled
Maintain the Procurement List of supplies and services that agencies and covered contractor purchases must obtain through the program. Update and publish the list so users can identify mandatory items.
GSA, DLA, VA, and Military Inventory Control Points
Provide wholesale supply sources that agencies must consider after higher-priority sources are exhausted. Maintain stock programs and ordering systems that support compliant federal supply procurement.
Practical Implications
This section is a front-end compliance check: if a mandatory source exists, the agency generally cannot justify buying elsewhere just because another vendor is easier or faster.
The most common mistake is skipping the hierarchy and going straight to a commercial purchase without checking agency inventories, excess property, or the Procurement List.
Urgency is not a blanket waiver; only the specific unusual and compelling urgency authority allows bypassing mandatory sources, and the justification must fit the regulatory standard.
Contractors buying for Government use need the same sourcing discipline as agencies, so contract administration should make clear whether the contractor is acting under a mandatory-source obligation.
Because this section relies heavily on cross-references, users should verify the applicable subpart or CFR citation before making a purchase decision or approving an exception.
Official Regulatory Text
(a) Except as required by 8.003 , or as otherwise provided by law, agencies shall satisfy requirements for supplies and services from or through the mandatory government sources and publications listed below in descending order of priority: (1) Supplies. (i) Inventories of the requiring agency. (ii) Excess from other agencies (see subpart 8.1 ). (iii) Federal Prison Industries, Inc. (see subpart 8.6 ). (iv) Supplies which are on the Procurement List maintained by the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled (see subpart 8.7 ). (v) Wholesale supply sources, such as stock programs of the General Services Administration (GSA) (see 41 CFR 101-26.3 ), the Defense Logistics Agency (see 41 CFR 101-26.6 ), the Department of Veterans Affairs (see 41 CFR 101-26.704 ), and military inventory control points. (2) Services. Services that are on the Procurement List maintained by the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled (see subpart 8.7 ). (b) Sources other than those listed in paragraph (a) of this section may be used as prescribed in 41 CFR 101-26.301 and in an unusual and compelling urgency as prescribed in 6.302-2 and in 41 CFR 101-25.101 -5. (c) The statutory obligation for Government agencies to satisfy their requirements for supplies or services available from the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled also applies when contractors purchase the supplies or services for Government use.