Overview
This section clarifies that the trade agreement policies and procedures typically required by FAR 25.4 may not be applicable to acquisitions conducted under less than full and open competition.
Key Rules
- Applicability Exception: International trade agreement requirements (FAR 25.4) are generally tied to competitive solicitations and may be bypassed for non-competitive actions.
- Regulatory Reference: This section aligns with FAR 25.401(a)(5), which specifically excludes acquisitions not awarded under full and open competition from trade agreement coverage.
- Emergency Flexibility: As part of FAR Part 18, this rule provides a flexibility that allows agencies to ignore specific international sourcing requirements during urgent or specialized procurements.
Practical Implications
Contracting officers can streamline emergency procurements by focusing on immediate availability and domestic preferences without the administrative burden of applying trade agreement evaluation factors, provided they are using an authorized exception to full and open competition.