Overview
FAR 17.800 establishes the regulatory framework and applicability for federal agencies to conduct reverse auctions and engage with third-party reverse auction service providers.
Key Rules
- Applicability: Defines the boundaries of Subpart 17.8, focusing specifically on the mechanism of reverse auctions.
- Dual Focus: Dictates that the subpart covers both the internal policies for conducting auctions and the rules for utilizing external service providers.
- Procedural Mandate: Signals that agencies must follow the standardized procedures outlined in the subsequent sections of this subpart to ensure competitive integrity during the bidding process.
Practical Implications
- Contracting officers must use this subpart as the primary guide when implementing iterative, downward-price bidding processes.
- It provides a standardized basis for agencies to evaluate and contract with commercial platforms that host reverse auction services.