Why Part 6 Matters

Competition is a cornerstone principle of federal procurement. Sole-source awards require rigorous J&A documentation with authority levels escalating by dollar value. Protests frequently challenge the adequacy of competition or the propriety of sole-source justifications. Contractors seeking set-aside opportunities must understand how 6.2 intersects with Part 19 small business programs.

Key Topics in Part 6

FAR Part 6 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.

• Full and open competition requirements
• Seven exceptions to full and open competition (Subpart 6.3)
• Justification and Approval (J&A) process
• Competition after exclusion of sources (Subpart 6.2)
• Approval thresholds for sole-source actions
• Publicizing requirements for limited competition
• Competitive set-aside interaction with Part 19

How FAR Part 6 Applies

The Federal Acquisition Regulation is organized into 53 parts, each covering a distinct area of the procurement process. Part 6 (Competition Requirements) 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 6 may be implemented through specific contract clauses prescribed in FAR Part 52. When a clause references Part 6, the substantive requirements originate here, while Part 52 provides the actual clause language incorporated into contracts and solicitations.

Subparts

FAR Part 6 is divided into 5 subparts, each addressing a specific aspect of competition requirements.

• 6.1 — Full and Open Competition
• 6.2 — Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources
• 6.3 — Other Than Full and Open Competition
• 6.4 — Sealed Bidding and Competitive Proposals
• 6.5 — Advocates for Competition

Reading FAR Part 6

The full text of FAR Part 6 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 6 cover?

  FAR Part 6 covers competition requirements within the federal acquisition process. FAR Part 6 prescribes policies and procedures for competition requirements under CICA (Competition in Contracting Act). It defines full and open competition, establishes the seven statutory exceptions for other than full and open competition (Subpart 6.3), and covers the Justification and Approval (J&A) process. Subpart 6.2 addresses full and open competition after exclusion of sources.

• Who must comply with FAR Part 6?

  FAR Part 6 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 6?

  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 6 relate to contract clauses?

  FAR Part 6 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.