Overview
This section identifies interagency acquisitions as an authorized method for meeting requirements, specifically within the context of emergency acquisitions, provided certain regulatory conditions are met.
Key Rules
- Authorization: Interagency acquisitions are officially permitted for use but are not unconditional.
- Regulatory Cross-Reference: The governing procedures, definitions, and limitations for these transactions are found in FAR Subpart 17.5.
- Compliance: Agencies must ensure that the specific conditions outlined in Subpart 17.5 (such as "Best Interest Determinations" and "Determinations and Findings") are satisfied even when operating under emergency authorities.
Practical Implications
- Speed and Efficiency: During emergencies, agencies can leverage existing contracts held by other agencies (such as GSA Schedules or FEMA vehicles) rather than initiating a new, time-consuming procurement process.
- Administrative Compliance: Contracting officers must remember that despite the urgency of FAR Part 18, they must still document the legal and procedural justifications required by the Economy Act or other interagency authorities.