Overview
This section addresses the regulatory framework for acquisitions supporting humanitarian or peacekeeping operations, specifically focusing on definitions and the adjustment of procurement thresholds.
Key Rules
- Definition: The specific criteria for what constitutes a "humanitarian or peacekeeping operation" are governed by the definitions found in FAR 2.101.
- Threshold Increase: The Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) is raised for acquisitions of supplies or services intended to support these operations.
- Agency Determination: The application of the increased threshold requires an official determination by the head of the agency that the procurement is in support of such an operation.
Practical Implications
- Contracting officers can utilize faster, less formal "Simplified Acquisition Procedures" for higher-dollar requirements during international crises or missions, reducing the administrative lead time for critical supplies.
- The increased threshold allows agencies to bypass more rigorous full-and-open competition requirements for larger purchases that would normally exceed the standard SAT.