Why Part 1 Matters

Part 1 is foundational — it defines who has contracting authority and how the entire regulatory framework is structured. Contractors need to understand whether an agency supplement or deviation applies to their solicitation, and contracting officers must know the limits of their delegated authority under Subpart 1.6.

Key Topics in Part 1

FAR Part 1 addresses several critical areas of the federal acquisition process. Understanding these topics is essential for both contracting officers and contractors working within this regulatory framework.

• FAR system structure and hierarchy
• Agency FAR supplements and deviations (Subpart 1.4)
• Contracting authority and delegation (Subpart 1.6)
• Acquisition career management
• Applicability of FAR to various agencies
• Regulatory issuance and public participation

How FAR Part 1 Applies

The Federal Acquisition Regulation is organized into 53 parts, each covering a distinct area of the procurement process. Part 1 (Federal Acquisition Regulations System) is part of this framework and works in conjunction with other FAR parts to create a comprehensive regulatory structure. Contracting officers must comply with all applicable parts when executing procurement actions, and contractors must understand the requirements that flow from these regulations into their contracts.

The requirements in Part 1 may be implemented through specific contract clauses prescribed in FAR Part 52. When a clause references Part 1, the substantive requirements originate here, while Part 52 provides the actual clause language incorporated into contracts and solicitations.

Subparts

FAR Part 1 is divided into 7 subparts, each addressing a specific aspect of federal acquisition regulations system.

• 1.1 — Purpose, Authority, Issuance
• 1.2 — Administration
• 1.3 — Agency Acquisition Regulations
• 1.4 — Deviations from the FAR
• 1.5 — Agency and Public Participation
• 1.6 — Career Development, Contracting Authority, and Responsibilities
• 1.7 — Determinations and Findings

Reading FAR Part 1

The full text of FAR Part 1 is available on the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The eCFR provides the most current version of the regulation, including any recent amendments published through Federal Acquisition Circulars (FACs). For historical versions, use the eCFR's point-in-time search feature.

• What does FAR Part 1 cover?

  FAR Part 1 covers federal acquisition regulations system within the federal acquisition process. FAR Part 1 establishes the Federal Acquisition Regulations System, including its purpose, authority, applicability, and issuance processes. It defines the relationship between the FAR, agency-level supplements (DFARS, GSAM, etc.), and deviations. Subpart 1.4 covers the process for deviations from the FAR, while Subpart 1.6 addresses career development and contracting authority delegation.

• Who must comply with FAR Part 1?

  FAR Part 1 applies to all executive branch agencies conducting acquisitions, unless a specific exemption exists. Contractors must comply with the requirements that are incorporated into their contracts through prescribed clauses from FAR Part 52. Agency-specific supplements (DFARS, GSAM, etc.) may add additional requirements beyond the base FAR.

• Where can I read the full text of FAR Part 1?

  The full text is available on the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). You can also access it through acquisition.gov, which is maintained by the General Services Administration. Both sources reflect the most current version of the regulation.

• How does FAR Part 1 relate to contract clauses?

  FAR Part 1 establishes the substantive policies and procedures. The actual clause language that gets incorporated into contracts is found in FAR Part 52. Each clause in Part 52 includes a "prescription" that references the relevant policy part, creating a direct link between the requirement and its implementation in the contract.