Overview
FAR 6.200 defines the scope of Subpart 6.2, which establishes the policies and procedures for conducting "full and open competition" after the government has intentionally excluded one or more specific sources from the procurement process.
Key Rules
- Regulatory Boundary: This section limits the application of Subpart 6.2 to scenarios where competition is sought among a subset of potential offerors.
- Standard of Competition: Even after specific sources are excluded, the procurement must still meet the criteria for "full and open competition" among the remaining eligible sources.
- Procedural Framework: It serves as the introductory authority for actions such as establishing or maintaining alternative sources and implementing various set-asides.
Practical Implications
- Industrial Base Management: This allows Contracting Officers to exclude a dominant contractor to ensure that other suppliers remain viable, thereby maintaining a healthy and competitive industrial base.
- Set-Aside Authority: It provides the regulatory foundation for restricting competition to specific groups (such as small businesses) while still characterizing the process as a competitive acquisition.