Overview
FAR 37.202 identifies specific categories of professional and technical activities that are expressly exempted from the regulatory definition and requirements of "advisory and assistance services" (A&AS).
Key Rules
- Routine IT Services: Standard information technology services are excluded unless they are an integral, inseparable component of a broader advisory and assistance service contract.
- Architectural and Engineering (A&E): Services defined under 40 U.S.C. 1102 are governed by their own statutory frameworks and are not classified as A&AS.
- Basic and Theoretical Research: Research involving theoretical mathematics or basic phenomena across various fields (including medical, physical, and social sciences) is excluded from the A&AS designation.
Practical Implications
- Contracting officers must correctly classify these services to avoid applying the stricter oversight, reporting, and statutory limitations associated with A&AS contracts.
- The exclusion of A&E and basic research ensures that these specialized professional services are procured under their specific applicable FAR parts (such as FAR Part 36 or FAR Part 35) rather than being mislabeled as general consulting.