Why Part 10 Matters

Market research is the foundation for sound acquisition strategy and is increasingly scrutinized in bid protests. Inadequate market research can lead to overly restrictive specifications, missed small business opportunities, and poor contract outcomes. Contractors benefit from participating in RFI responses and industry days, which directly inform the market research process and shape solicitation requirements.

Key Topics in Part 10

FAR Part 10 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.

• Market research procedures and techniques
• Commercial product/service availability assessment
• Sources Sought and RFI processes
• Industry day and pre-solicitation engagement
• Small business capability assessments
• Research timing requirements (pre-solicitation and pre-award)

How FAR Part 10 Applies

The Federal Acquisition Regulation is organized into 53 parts, each covering a distinct area of the procurement process. Part 10 (Market Research) 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 10 may be implemented through specific contract clauses prescribed in FAR Part 52. When a clause references Part 10, the substantive requirements originate here, while Part 52 provides the actual clause language incorporated into contracts and solicitations.

Reading FAR Part 10

The full text of FAR Part 10 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 10 cover?

  FAR Part 10 covers market research within the federal acquisition process. FAR Part 10 establishes policies and procedures for conducting market research to arrive at the most suitable approach to acquiring, distributing, and supporting supplies and services. It requires agencies to determine whether commercial products or services are available to meet government needs and to identify customary industry practices. Market research must be conducted before developing new requirements and before soliciting offers.

• Who must comply with FAR Part 10?

  FAR Part 10 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 10?

  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 10 relate to contract clauses?

  FAR Part 10 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.