Overview
This section permits federal agencies to bypass standard full and open competition requirements when a procurement is necessitated by urgent and immediate needs.
Key Rules
- Limitation of Sources: Agencies have the authority to limit the number of sources consulted for a contract action if the requirement is deemed urgent.
- Exemption from Full Competition: Full and open competition is not required for these specific contracting actions.
- Regulatory Cross-Reference: The application of this authority is governed by the specific procedures and criteria found in FAR 6.302-2.
Practical Implications
- This authority is typically used in emergency situations—such as natural disasters or national security threats—where the delay associated with standard bidding processes would result in serious injury to the Government.
- Contracting officers must still provide a written Justification and Approval (J&A) to document the rationale for restricting competition, even under urgent circumstances.