Overview
FAR 23.100 establishes the comprehensive applicability of policies and procedures for the procurement of sustainable products and services across the federal government. It ensures that environmental sustainability requirements are integrated into every level of federal purchasing, regardless of the size or type of the acquisition.
Key Rules
- Universal Applicability: The subpart applies to all contract actions without exception.
- Commercial Inclusion: Requirements apply to acquisitions using FAR Part 12 procedures, including those for commercial products and commercial services.
- COTS Coverage: Commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) items are explicitly subject to these sustainability standards.
- No Minimum Threshold: The rules apply even to small-scale acquisitions valued at or below the micro-purchase threshold.
Practical Implications
- Mandatory Compliance: Contracting officers and contractors cannot claim exemptions from sustainability requirements based on the commercial nature of an item or a low dollar value.
- Broad Implementation: Agencies must ensure that environmental considerations are factored into routine credit card (GPC) purchases and simplified acquisitions, not just large-scale industrial contracts.