Overview
FAR 4.601 establishes specialized terminology used for reporting procurement data to the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS). These definitions clarify what constitutes a reportable event and distinguish between different types of procurement vehicles for data tracking purposes.
Key Rules
- Contract Action: Includes any oral or written action for supplies, services, or construction using appropriated funds above the micro-purchase threshold, including all modifications regardless of value. It specifically excludes grants, cooperative agreements, real property leases, and other non-FAR based transactions.
- Contract Action Report (CAR): This is the mandatory data entry required to be submitted into FPDS to record a contract action.
- Definitive Contract: For FPDS purposes only, this refers to any reportable contract that is not an Indefinite Delivery Vehicle (IDV).
- Indefinite Delivery Vehicle (IDV): Defined by the inclusion of specific ordering clauses (e.g., FAR 52.216-18 through 52.216-22), establishing the framework for future orders.
- Generic Entity Identifier: A non-specific ID used for categories of vendors rather than a unique identifier for a specific business entity.
Practical Implications
- Reporting Accuracy: Contracting Officers must ensure that every qualifying FAR-based action—and every subsequent modification—is recorded via a CAR to maintain federal spending transparency.
- System Categorization: Professionals must distinguish between "Definitive Contracts" and "IDVs" when entering data, as these terms have specific technical meanings in the context of FPDS that may differ from general procurement usage in FAR Part 16.