41 U.S.C. § 1705 (2024) — Title 41: PUBLIC CONTRACTS / Chapter 17 / Section 1705: Advocates for competition
Advocates for competition
Status: in_force

(a) Establishment and Designation.—

(1) Establishment.—Each executive agency has an advocate for competition.

(2) Designation.—The head of each executive agency shall—

(A) designate for the executive agency and for each procuring activity of the executive agency one officer or employee serving in a position authorized for the executive agency on July 18, 1984 (other than the senior procurement executive designated pursuant to section 1702(c) of this title) to serve as the advocate for competition;

(B) not assign those officers or employees duties or responsibilities that are inconsistent with the duties and responsibilities of the advocates for competition; and

(C) provide those officers or employees with the staff or assistance necessary to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the advocate for competition, such as individuals who are specialists in engineering, technical operations, contract administration, financial management, supply management, and utilization of small and disadvantaged business concerns.

(b) Duties and Functions.—The advocate for competition of an executive agency shall—

(1) be responsible for challenging barriers to, and promoting full and open competition in, the procurement of property and services by the executive agency;

(2) review the procurement activities of the executive agency;

(3) identify and report to the senior procurement executive of the executive agency—

(A) opportunities and actions taken to achieve full and open competition in the procurement activities of the executive agency; and

(B) any condition or action which has the effect of unnecessarily restricting competition in the procurement actions of the executive agency;

(4) prepare and transmit to the senior procurement executive an annual report describing—

(A) the advocate's activities under this section;

(B) new initiatives required to increase competition; and

(C) remaining barriers to full and open competition;

(5) recommend to the senior procurement executive—

(A) goals and the plans for increasing competition on a fiscal year basis; and

(B) a system of personal and organizational accountability for competition, which may include the use of recognition and awards to motivate program managers, contracting officers, and others in authority to promote competition in procurement programs; and

(6) describe other ways in which the executive agency has emphasized competition in programs for procurement training and research.

(c) Responsibilities.—The advocate for competition for each procuring activity is responsible for promoting full and open competition, promoting the acquisition of commercial products and commercial services, and challenging barriers to acquisition, including unnecessarily restrictive statements of need, unnecessarily detailed specifications, and unnecessarily burdensome contract clauses.

(Pub. L. 111–350, §3, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3709; Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §836(b)(2), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1861.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised 
Section
Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

1705
41:418.
Pub. L. 93–400, §20, as added Pub. L. 98–369, title VII, §2732(a), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1197; Pub. L. 103–355, title VIII, §8303(a), Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3398.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 115–232 substituted "commercial products and commercial services" for "commercial items".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 115–232 effective Jan. 1, 2020, subject to a savings provision, see section 836(h) of Pub. L. 115–232, set out as an Effective Date of 2018 Amendment; Savings Provision note under section 453b of Title 6, Domestic Security.
41 U.S.C. § 1904 (2024) — Title 41: PUBLIC CONTRACTS / Chapter 19 / Section 1904: Certain transactions for defense against attack
Certain transactions for defense against attack
Status: in_force

(a) Authority.—

(1) In general.—The head of an executive agency that engages in basic research, applied research, advanced research, and development projects that are necessary to the responsibilities of the executive agency in the field of research and development and have the potential to facilitate defense against or recovery from terrorism or nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological attack may exercise the same authority (subject to the same restrictions and conditions) with respect to the research and projects as the Secretary of Defense may exercise under section 2371 1 of title 10, except for subsections (b) and (f) of section 2371.

(2) Prototype projects.—The head of an executive agency, under the authority of paragraph (1), may carry out prototype projects that meet the requirements of paragraph (1) in accordance with the requirements and conditions provided for carrying out prototype projects under section 845 1 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994 (Public Law 103–160, 10 U.S.C. 2371 note), including that, to the maximum extent practicable, competitive procedures shall be used when entering into agreements to carry out projects under section 845(a) of that Act and that the period of authority to carry out projects under section 845(a) of that Act terminates as provided in section 845(i) of that Act.

(3) Application of requirements and conditions.—In applying the requirements and conditions of section 845 of that Act under this subsection—

(A) section 845(c) of that Act shall apply with respect to prototype projects carried out under paragraph (2); and

(B) the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall perform the functions of the Secretary of Defense under section 845(d) of that Act.

(4) Applicability to selected executive agencies.—

(A) Office of management and budget.—The head of an executive agency may exercise authority under this subsection for a project only if authorized by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

(B) Department of homeland security.—Authority under this subsection does not apply to the Secretary of Homeland Security while section 831 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 391) is in effect.

(b) Regulations.—The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall prescribe regulations to carry out this section. No transaction may be conducted under the authority of this section before the regulations take effect.

(c) Annual Report.—The annual report of the head of an executive agency that is required under section 2371(h) 1 of title 10, as applied to the head of the executive agency by subsection (a), shall be submitted to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives.

(d) Termination of Authority.—The authority to carry out transactions under subsection (a) terminates on September 30, 2008.

(Pub. L. 111–350, §3, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3721.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised 
Section
Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

1904
41:428a note.
Pub. L. 108–136, title XIV, §1441, Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1673.

In subsection (a)(2), the reference to subsection (g) of section 845 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994 (Public Law 103–160, 10 U.S.C. 2371 note) is changed to subsection (i) because of section 847(c)(1) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (Public Law 108–136, 117 Stat. 1554), which redesignated subsection (g) as subsection (h), and section 823(2) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Public Law 109–163, 119 Stat. 3387), which redesignated subsection (h) as subsection (i).

In subsection (a)(3)(A), the words "paragraph (2)" are substituted for "this paragraph" to correct the cross-reference.

In subsection (a)(4)(A), the words "to use the authority for such project" are omitted as unnecessary.

In subsection (c), the words "Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs" are substituted for "Committee on Governmental Affairs" on authority of Senate Resolution No. 445 (108th Congress, October 9, 2004). The words "Committee on Oversight and Government Reform" are substituted for "Committee on Government Reform" on authority of Rule X(1)(m) of the Rules of the House of Representatives, adopted by House Resolution No. 6 (110th Congress, January 5, 2007).

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 2371 of title 10, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), was renumbered section 4021 of title 10 by Pub. L. 116–283, §1841(b)(1), as amended by Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(u)(2)(B), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2151.

Section 845 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994 (Public Law 103–160, 10 U.S.C. 2371 note), referred to in subsec. (a)(2), was repealed by Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title VIII, §815(c), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 896.

Section 2371(h) of title 10, referred to in subsec. (c), was repealed by Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title X, §1071(f)(20), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3511.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Oversight and Reform of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 6, One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, Jan. 9, 2019. Committee on Oversight and Reform of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Oversight and Accountability of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Eighteenth Congress, Jan. 9, 2023.

1 See References in Text note below.
41 U.S.C. § 104 (2024) — Title 41: PUBLIC CONTRACTS / Chapter 1 / Subchapter I / Section 104: Commercially available off-the-shelf item
Commercially available off-the-shelf item
Status: in_force

In this subtitle, the term "commercially available off-the-shelf item"—

(1) means an item that—

(A) is a commercial product (as described in section 103(1) of this title);

(B) is sold in substantial quantities in the commercial marketplace; and

(C) is offered to the Federal Government, without modification, in the same form in which it is sold in the commercial marketplace; but

(2) does not include bulk cargo, as defined in section 40102(4) of title 46, such as agricultural products and petroleum products.

(Pub. L. 111–350, §3, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3679; Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §836(a)(2)(B), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1860; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title X, §1081(d)(4)(A), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3874.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised 
Section
Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

104
41:431(c).
Pub. L. 93–400, §35(c), as added Pub. L. 104–106, title XLII, §4203(a), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 655.

In paragraph (2), the words "section 40102(4) of title 46" are substituted for "section 3 of the Shipping Act of 1984 (46 U.S.C. App. 1702)" because of section 18(c) of Public Law 109–304 (46 U.S.C. note prec. 101).

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Par. (1)(A). Pub. L. 116–283, §1081(d)(4)(A), made technical correction to directory language of Pub. L. 115–232, §836(a)(2)(B). See 2018 Amendment note below.

2018—Par. (1)(A). Pub. L. 115–232, as amended by Pub. L. 116–283, §1081(d)(4)(A), substituted "commercial product" for "commercial item".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title X, §1081(d), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3873, provided that the amendment made by section 1081(d)(4)(A) to section 836(a)(2)(B) of Pub. L. 115–232, which amended this section, is effective as of Aug. 13, 2018, and as if included in Pub. L. 115–232.

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 115–232 effective Jan. 1, 2020, subject to a savings provision, see section 836(h) of Pub. L. 115–232, set out as an Effective Date of 2018 Amendment; Savings Provision note under section 453b of Title 6, Domestic Security.
41 U.S.C. § 1708 (2024) — Title 41: PUBLIC CONTRACTS / Chapter 17 / Section 1708: Procurement notice
Procurement notice
Status: in_force

(a) Notice Requirement.—Except as provided in subsection (b)—

(1) an executive agency intending to solicit bids or proposals for a contract for property or services for a price expected to exceed $10,000, but not to exceed $25,000, shall post, for not less than 10 days, in a public place at the contracting office issuing the solicitation a notice of solicitation described in subsection (c);

(2) an executive agency shall publish a notice of solicitation described in subsection (c) if the agency intends to—

(A) solicit bids or proposals for a contract for property or services for a price expected to exceed $25,000; or

(B) place an order, expected to exceed $25,000, under a basic agreement, basic ordering agreement, or similar arrangement; and

(3) an executive agency awarding a contract for property or services for a price exceeding $25,000, or placing an order exceeding $25,000 under a basic agreement, basic ordering agreement, or similar arrangement, shall furnish for publication a notice announcing the award or order if there is likely to be a subcontract under the contract or order.

(b) Exemptions.—

(1) In general.—A notice is not required under subsection (a) if—

(A) the proposed procurement is for an amount not greater than the simplified acquisition threshold and is to be conducted by—

(i) using widespread electronic public notice of the solicitation in a form that allows convenient and universal user access through a single, Government-wide point of entry; and

(ii) permitting the public to respond to the solicitation electronically;

(B) the notice would disclose the executive agency's needs and disclosure would compromise national security;

(C) the proposed procurement would result from acceptance of—

(i) an unsolicited proposal that demonstrates a unique and innovative research concept and publication of a notice of the unsolicited research proposal would disclose the originality of thought or innovativeness of the proposal or would disclose proprietary information associated with the proposal; or

(ii) a proposal submitted under section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638);

(D) the procurement is made against an order placed under a requirements contract, a task order contract, or a delivery order contract;

(E) the procurement is made for perishable subsistence supplies;

(F) the procurement is for utility services, other than telecommunication services, and only one source is available; or

(G) the procurement is for the services of an expert for use in any litigation or dispute (including any reasonably foreseeable litigation or dispute) involving the Federal Government in a trial, hearing, or proceeding before a court, administrative tribunal, or agency, or in any part of an alternative dispute resolution process, whether or not the expert is expected to testify.

(2) Certain procurements.—The requirements of subsection (a)(2) do not apply to a procurement—

(A) under conditions described in paragraph (2), (3), (4), (5), or (7) of section 3304(a) of this title or paragraph (2), (3), (4), (5), or (7) of section 3204(a) of title 10; or

(B) for which the head of the executive agency makes a determination in writing, after consultation with the Administrator and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, that it is not appropriate or reasonable to publish a notice before issuing a solicitation.

(3) Implementation consistent with international agreements.—Paragraph (1)(A) shall be implemented in a manner consistent with applicable international agreements.

(c) Contents of Notice.—Each notice of solicitation required by paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a) shall include—

(1) an accurate description of the property or services to be contracted for, which description—

(A) shall not be unnecessarily restrictive of competition; and

(B) shall include, as appropriate, the agency nomenclature, National Stock Number or other part number, and a brief description of the item's form, fit, or function, physical dimensions, predominant material of manufacture, or similar information that will assist a prospective contractor to make an informed business judgment as to whether a copy of the solicitation should be requested;

(2) provisions that—

(A)(i) state whether the technical data required to respond to the solicitation will not be furnished as part of the solicitation; and

(ii) identify the source in the Federal Government, if any, from which the technical data may be obtained; and

(B)(i) state whether an offeror or its product or service must meet a qualification requirement in order to be eligible for award; and

(ii) if so, identify the office from which the qualification requirement may be obtained;

(3) the name, business address, and telephone number of the contracting officer;

(4) a statement that all responsible sources may submit a bid, proposal, or quotation (as appropriate) that the agency shall consider;

(5) in the case of a procurement using procedures other than competitive procedures, a statement of the reason justifying the use of those procedures and the identity of the intended source; and

(6) in the case of a contract in an amount estimated to be greater than $25,000 but not greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, or a contract for the procurement of commercial products or commercial services using special simplified procedures—

(A) a description of the procedures to be used in awarding the contract; and

(B) a statement specifying the periods for prospective offerors and the contracting officer to take the necessary preaward and award actions.

(d) Electronic Publication of Notice of Solicitation, Award, or Order.—A notice of solicitation, award, or order required to be published under subsection (a) shall be published by electronic means. The notice must be electronically accessible in a form that allows convenient and universal user access through the single Government-wide point of entry designated in the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

(e) Time Limitations.—

(1) Issuing notice of solicitation and establishing deadline for submitting bids and proposals.—An executive agency required by subsection (a)(2) to publish a notice of solicitation may not—

(A) issue the solicitation earlier than 15 days after the date on which the notice is published; or

(B) in the case of a contract or order expected to be greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, establish a deadline for the submission of all bids or proposals in response to the notice required by subsection (a)(2) that—

(i) in the case of a solicitation for research and development, is earlier than 45 days after the date the notice required for a bid or proposal for a contract described in subsection (a)(2)(A) is published;

(ii) in the case of an order under a basic agreement, basic ordering agreement, or similar arrangement, is earlier than 30 days after the date the notice required for an order described in subsection (a)(2)(B) is published; or

(iii) in any other case, is earlier than 30 days after the date the solicitation is issued.

(2) Establishing deadline when none provided by statute.—An executive agency shall establish a deadline for the submission of all bids or proposals in response to a solicitation for which a deadline is not provided by statute. Each deadline for the submission of offers shall afford potential offerors a reasonable opportunity to respond.

(3) Flexible deadlines.—The Administrator shall prescribe regulations defining limited circumstances in which flexible deadlines can be used under paragraph (1) for the issuance of solicitations and the submission of bids or proposals for the procurement of commercial products or commercial services.

(f) Consideration of Certain Timely Received Offers.—An executive agency intending to solicit offers for a contract for which a notice of solicitation is required to be posted under subsection (a)(1) shall ensure that contracting officers consider each responsive offer timely received from an offeror.

(g) Availability of Complete Solicitation Package and Payment of Fee.—An executive agency shall make available to a business concern, or the authorized representative of a concern, the complete solicitation package for any on-going procurement announced pursuant to a notice of solicitation under subsection (a). An executive agency may require the payment of a fee, not exceeding the actual cost of duplication, for a copy of the package.

(Pub. L. 111–350, §3, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3711; Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §836(b)(3), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1861; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1702(h)(4), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2158.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised 
Section
Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

1708(a)
41:416(a)(1).
Pub. L. 93–400, §18, as added Pub. L. 98–369, title VII, §2732(a), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1195; Pub. L. 98–577, title III, §303(a), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 3077; Pub. L. 99–500, §101(c) [title X, §922(b), (d)(2)], Oct. 18, 1986, 100 Stat. 1783–151, 1783–152; Pub. L. 99–591, §101(c) [title X, §922(b), (d)(2)], Oct. 30, 1986, 100 Stat. 3341–151, 3341–152; Pub. L. 99–661, title IX, formerly title IV, §922(b), (d)(2), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3931, 3932, renumbered title IX, Pub. L. 100–26, §3(5), Apr. 21, 1987, 101 Stat. 273; Pub. L. 101–510, title VIII, §806(d), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1592; Pub. L. 103–355, title I, §1055(b)(1), title IV, §§4201(b), (c), 4202(a)–(c), title VIII, §8302, title IX, §9001(b), Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3265, 3344, 3398, 3402; Pub. L. 104–106, title XLI, §4101(c), title XLII, §4202(d), title XLIII, §§4310, 4321(h)(3), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 642, 654, 670, 675; Pub. L. 105–85, title VIII, §850(e)(2), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1849; Pub. L. 105–261, title X, §1069(d)(1), Oct. 17, 1998, 112 Stat. 2136; Pub. L. 106–398, §1 [[div. A], title VIII, §810(a), (b)], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654A–209; Pub. L 107–296, title VIII, §833(c)(2), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2226.

1708(b)(1), (2)
41:416(c).

1708(b)(3)
no source.

1708(c)
41:416(b).

1708(d)
41:416(a)(2), (7).

1708(e)
41:416(a)(3), (5), (6).

1708(f)
41:416(a)(4).

1708(g)
41:416(d).

In subsection (a)(3), the words "under a basic agreement, basic ordering agreement, or similar arrangement" are substituted for "referred to in clause (A)(ii)" for clarity. The words "by the Secretary of Commerce" are omitted as obsolete. The Secretary of Commerce no longer has responsibility for publishing notices of awards or orders. See revision note for subsection (d).

In subsection (b)(2), the text of 41 U.S.C. 416(C)(1)(H) is omitted because the procurement authority of the Secretary of Homeland Security pursuant to the special procedures provided in section 833(c) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 339(c)) expired on September 30, 2007.

Subsection (b)(3) is added because of section 850(e)(3) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 (Public Law 105–85, 111 Stat. 1849, 15:637 note), which in part provided that the amendments made by section 850(e)(2), which amended 41:416(c)(1), be implemented in a manner consistent with applicable international agreements.

Subsection (d) is substituted for 41:416(a)(2) and (7) to eliminate unnecessary words. Federal Business Opportunities is the designated single point of universal electronic public access for publication of all procurement information and notices previously published by the Secretary of Commerce in the Commerce Business Daily. See 66 Fed. Reg. 27407, May 16, 2001, 68 Fed. Reg. 56678, October 1, 2003, 48 CFR ch. 1, subch. B, part 5, and the special notice posted in CBDNet on December 28, 2001, and printed on January 2, 2002.

In subsection (e)(1)(B)(i), the words "required for a bid or proposal for a contract described in" are substituted for "required by" for clarity.

In subsection (e)(1)(B)(ii), the words "required for an order described in" are substituted for "required by" for clarity.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (b)(2)(A). Pub. L. 117–81 substituted "section 3204(a)" for "section 2304(c)".

2018—Subsecs. (c)(6), (e)(3). Pub. L. 115–232 substituted "commercial products or commercial services" for "commercial items".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 115–232 effective Jan. 1, 2020, subject to a savings provision, see section 836(h) of Pub. L. 115–232, set out as an Effective Date of 2018 Amendment; Savings Provision note under section 453b of Title 6, Domestic Security.

Applicability to Tennessee Valley Authority

Pub. L. 98–577, title III, §303(c), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 3079, provided that: "The provisions of the amendments made by subsection (a) of this section [see Tables for classification] shall apply to the Tennessee Valley Authority only with respect to procurements to be paid from appropriated funds."
41 U.S.C. § 1905 (2024) — Title 41: PUBLIC CONTRACTS / Chapter 19 / Section 1905: List of laws inapplicable to contracts or subcontracts not greater than simplified acquisition threshold
List of laws inapplicable to contracts or subcontracts not greater than simplified acquisition threshold
Status: in_force

(a) Definition.—In this section, the term "Council" has the meaning given that term in section 1301 of this title.

(b) Inclusion in Federal Acquisition Regulation.—

(1) In general.—The Federal Acquisition Regulation shall include a list of provisions of law that are inapplicable to contracts or subcontracts in amounts not greater than the simplified acquisition threshold. A provision of law properly included on the list pursuant to paragraph (2) does not apply to contracts or subcontracts in amounts not greater than the simplified acquisition threshold that are made by an executive agency. This section does not render a provision of law not included on the list inapplicable to contracts and subcontracts in amounts not greater than the simplified acquisition threshold.

(2) Laws enacted after october 13, 1994.—A provision of law described in subsection (c) that is enacted after October 13, 1994, shall be included on the list of inapplicable provisions of laws required by paragraph (1) unless the Council makes a written determination that it would not be in the best interest of the Federal Government to exempt contracts or subcontracts in amounts not greater than the simplified acquisition threshold from the applicability of the provision.

(c) Covered Law.—A provision of law referred to in subsection (b)(2) is a provision of law that the Council determines sets forth policies, procedures, requirements, or restrictions for the procurement of property or services by the Federal Government, except for a provision of law that—

(1) provides for criminal or civil penalties; or

(2) specifically refers to this section and provides that, notwithstanding this section, it shall be applicable to contracts or subcontracts in amounts not greater than the simplified acquisition threshold.

(d) Petition.—A person may petition the Administrator to take appropriate action when a provision of law described in subsection (c) is not included on the list of inapplicable provisions of law as required by subsection (b) and the Council has not made a written determination pursuant to subsection (b)(2). The Administrator shall revise the Federal Acquisition Regulation to include the provision on the list of inapplicable provisions of law unless the Council makes a determination pursuant to subsection (b)(2) within 60 days after the petition is received.

(Pub. L. 111–350, §3, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3722.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised 
Section
Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

1905(a)
no source.

1905(b)–(d)
41:429.
Pub. L. 93–400, §33, as added Pub. L. 103–355, title IV, §4101, Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3339.
41 U.S.C. § 2303 (2024) — Title 41: PUBLIC CONTRACTS / Chapter 23 / Section 2303: Ethics safeguards related to contractor conflicts of interest
Ethics safeguards related to contractor conflicts of interest
Status: in_force

(a) Definition.—In this section, the term "relevant acquisition function" means an acquisition function closely associated with inherently governmental functions.

(b) Policy on Personal Conflicts of Interest by Contractor Employees.—

(1) Development and issuance of policy.—The Administrator shall develop and issue a standard policy to prevent personal conflicts of interest by contractor employees performing relevant acquisition functions (including the development, award, and administration of Federal Government contracts) for or on behalf of a Federal agency or department.

(2) Elements of policy.—The policy shall—

(A) define "personal conflict of interest" as it relates to contractor employees performing relevant acquisition functions; and

(B) require each contractor whose employees perform relevant acquisition functions to—

(i) identify and prevent personal conflicts of interest for the employees;

(ii) prohibit contractor employees who have access to non-public government information obtained while performing relevant acquisition functions from using the information for personal gain;

(iii) report any personal conflict-of-interest violation by an employee to the applicable contracting officer or contracting officer's representative as soon as it is identified;

(iv) maintain effective oversight to verify compliance with personal conflict-of-interest safeguards;

(v) have procedures in place to screen for potential conflicts of interest for all employees performing relevant acquisition functions; and

(vi) take appropriate disciplinary action in the case of employees who fail to comply with policies established pursuant to this section.

(3) Contract clause.—

(A) Contents.—The Administrator shall develop a personal conflicts-of-interest clause or a set of clauses for inclusion in solicitations and contracts (and task or delivery orders) for the performance of relevant acquisition functions that sets forth—

(i) the personal conflicts-of-interest policy developed under this subsection; and

(ii) the contractor's responsibilities under the policy.

(B) Effective date.—Subparagraph (A) shall take effect 300 days after October 14, 2008, and shall apply to—

(i) contracts entered into on or after that effective date; and

(ii) task or delivery orders awarded on or after that effective date, regardless of whether the contracts pursuant to which the task or delivery orders are awarded are entered before, on, or after October 14, 2008.

(4) Applicability.—

(A) Contracts in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold.—This subsection shall apply to any contract for an amount in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold (as defined in section 134 of this title) if the contract is for the performance of relevant acquisition functions.

(B) Partial applicability.—If only a portion of a contract described in subparagraph (A) is for the performance of relevant acquisition functions, then this subsection applies only to that portion of the contract.

(c) Best Practices.—The Administrator shall, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Government Ethics, develop and maintain a repository of best practices relating to the prevention and mitigation of organizational and personal conflicts of interest in Federal contracting.

(Pub. L. 111–350, §3, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3735.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised 
Section
Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

2303(a)
no source.

2303(b), (c)
41:405c(a), (c).
Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title VIII, §841(a), (c), Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4537, 4539.

In this section, the words "relevant acquisition functions" are substituted for "acquisition functions closely associated with inherently governmental functions" because of subsection (a).

In subsection (b), the words "Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act" are omitted because of section 6(f) of the bill.

In subsection (b)(4)(A), the words "Except as provided in subparagraph (B)" are omitted as unnecessary.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Preventing Organizational Conflicts of Interest in Federal Acquisition

Pub. L. 117–324, Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4439, provided that:

"SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

"This Act may be cited as the 'Preventing Organizational Conflicts of Interest in Federal Acquisition Act'.

"SEC. 2. PREVENTING ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST IN FEDERAL ACQUISITION.

"(a) In General.—Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 27, 2022], the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council shall revise the Federal Acquisition Regulation—

"(1) to provide and update—

"(A) definitions related to specific types of organizational conflicts of interest, including unequal access to information, impaired objectivity, and biased ground rules;

"(B) definitions, guidance, and illustrative examples related to relationships of contractors with public, private, domestic, and foreign entities that may cause contract support to be subject to potential organizational conflicts of interest, including undue influence; and

"(C) illustrative examples of situations related to the potential organizational conflicts of interest identified under this paragraph, including an example of the awarding by a Federal regulatory agency of a contract for consulting services to a contractor if employees of the contractor performing work under such contract are permitted by the contractor to simultaneously perform work under a contract for a private sector client under the regulatory purview of such agency;

"(2) to provide executive agencies with solicitation provisions and contract clauses to avoid or mitigate organizational conflicts of interest, for agency use as needed, that require contractors to disclose information relevant to potential organizational conflicts of interest and limit future contracting with respect to potential conflicts of interest with the work to be performed under awarded contracts;

"(3) to allow executive agencies to tailor such solicitation provisions and contract clauses as necessary to address risks associated with conflicts of interest and other considerations that may be unique to the executive agency;

"(4) to require executive agencies—

"(A) to establish or update as needed agency conflict of interest procedures to implement the revisions to the Federal Acquisition Regulation made under this section; and

"(B) to periodically assess and update such procedures as needed to address agency-specific conflict of interest issues; and

"(5) to update the procedures set forth in section 9.506 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation to permit contracting officers to take into consideration professional standards and procedures to prevent organizational conflicts of interest to which an offeror or contractor is subject.

"(b) Executive Agency Defined.—In this section, the term 'executive agency' has the meaning given the term in section 133 of title 41, United States Code."

Deadline for Issuance of Standard Policy

Pub. L. 111–350, §6(f)(1), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3854, provided that: "The requirement in section 2303(b)(1) of title 41, United States Code, to issue a policy shall be done not later than 270 days after October 14, 2008."

Review of Federal Acquisition Regulation Relating to Conflicts of Interest

Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title VIII, §841(b), Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4539, provided that:

"(1) Review.—Not later than 12 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 14, 2008], the Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Government Ethics, shall review the Federal Acquisition Regulation to—

"(A) identify contracting methods, types and services that raise heightened concerns for potential personal and organizational conflicts of interest; and

"(B) determine whether revisions to the Federal Acquisition Regulation are necessary to—

"(i) address personal conflicts of interest by contractor employees with respect to functions other than those described in subsection (a) [now 41 U.S.C. 2303(b)]; or

"(ii) achieve sufficiently rigorous, comprehensive, and uniform government-wide policies to prevent and mitigate organizational conflicts of interest in Federal contracting.

"(2) Regulatory revisions.—If the Administrator determines pursuant to the review under paragraph (1)(B) that revisions to the Federal Acquisition Regulation are necessary, the Administrator shall work with the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council to prescribe appropriate revisions to the regulations, including the development of appropriate contract clauses.

"(3) Report.—Not later than March 1, 2010, the Administrator shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives, the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs in the Senate, and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform [now Committee on Oversight and Accountability] of the House of Representatives a report setting forth such findings and determinations under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1), together with an assessment of any revisions to the Federal Acquisition Regulation that may be necessary."
41 U.S.C. § 8304 (2024) — Title 41: PUBLIC CONTRACTS / Chapter 83 / Section 8304: Waiver rescission
Waiver rescission
Status: in_force

(a) Type of Agreement.—An agreement referred to in subsection (b) is a reciprocal defense procurement memorandum of understanding between the United States and a foreign country pursuant to which the Secretary of Defense has prospectively waived this chapter for certain products in that country.

(b) Determination by Secretary of Defense.—If the Secretary of Defense, after consultation with the United States Trade Representative, determines that a foreign country that is party to an agreement described in subsection (a) has violated the agreement by discriminating against certain types of products produced in the United States that are covered by the agreement, the Secretary of Defense shall rescind the Secretary's blanket waiver of this chapter with respect to those types of products produced in that country.

(Pub. L. 111–350, §3, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3833.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised 
Section
Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

8304(a)
41:10b–2(a)(2), (b).
Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title VIII, §849(c), (d), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1725.

8304(b)
41:10b–2(a)(1).

In subsection (a), the text of 41:10b–2(b) is omitted as unnecessary.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Similar Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section and section 8305 of this title were contained in the following acts:

Pub. L. 118–47, div. A, title VIII, §8032, Mar. 23, 2024, 138 Stat. 490.

Pub. L. 117–328, div. C, title VIII, §8032, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 4593.

Pub. L. 117–103, div. C, title VIII, §8033, Mar. 15, 2022, 136 Stat. 182.

Pub. L. 116–260, div. C, title VIII, §8030, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1310.

Pub. L. 116–93, div. A, title VIII, §8029, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 2342.

Pub. L. 115–245, div. A, title VIII, §8028, Sept. 28, 2018, 132 Stat. 3006.

Pub. L. 115–141, div. C, title VIII, §8028, Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 469.

Pub. L. 115–31, div. C, title VIII, §8029, May 5, 2017, 131 Stat. 253.

Pub. L. 114–113, div. C, title VIII, §8028, Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2357.

Pub. L. 113–235, div. C, title VIII, §8028, Dec. 16, 2014, 128 Stat. 2258.

Pub. L. 113–76, div. C, title VIII, §8027, Jan. 17, 2014, 128 Stat. 110.

Pub. L. 113–6, div. C, title VIII, §8027, Mar. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 302.

Pub. L. 112–74, div. A, title VIII, §8027, Dec. 23, 2011, 125 Stat. 811.

Pub. L. 112–10, div. A, title VIII, §8028, Apr. 15, 2011, 125 Stat. 63.

Pub. L. 111–118, div. A, title VIII, §8030, Dec. 19, 2009, 123 Stat. 3435.

Pub. L. 110–329, div. C, title VIII, §8030, Sept. 30, 2008, 122 Stat. 3627.

Pub. L. 110–116, div. A, title VIII, §8029, Nov. 13, 2007, 121 Stat. 1321.

Pub. L. 109–289, div. A, title VIII, §8027, Sept. 29, 2006, 120 Stat. 1279.

Pub. L. 109–148, div. A, title VIII, §8030, Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2705.

Pub. L. 108–287, title VIII, §8032, Aug. 5, 2004, 118 Stat. 977.

Pub. L. 108–87, title VIII, §8033, Sept. 30, 2003, 117 Stat. 1079.

Pub. L. 107–248, title VIII, §8033, Oct. 23, 2002, 116 Stat. 1544.

Pub. L. 107–117, div. A, title VIII, §8036, Jan. 10, 2002, 115 Stat. 2255.

Pub. L. 106–259, title VIII, §8036, Aug. 9, 2000, 114 Stat. 682.

Pub. L. 106–79, title VIII, §8038, Oct. 25, 1999, 113 Stat. 1239.

Pub. L. 105–262, title VIII, §8038, Oct. 17, 1998, 112 Stat. 2305.

Pub. L. 105–56, title VIII, §8040, Oct. 8, 1997, 111 Stat. 1229.

Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, §101(b) [title VIII, §8042], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–71, 3009–97.

Pub. L. 104–61, title VIII, §8051, Dec. 1, 1995, 109 Stat. 662.

Pub. L. 103–335, title VIII, §8058, Sept. 30, 1994, 108 Stat. 2631.

Pub. L. 103–139, title VIII, §8069, Nov. 11, 1993, 107 Stat. 1455.

Pub. L. 102–396, title IX, §9096, Oct. 6, 1992, 106 Stat. 1924, as amended by Pub. L. 103–355, title VII, §7206(b), Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3382.

Pub. L. 102–190, div. A, title VIII, §833, Dec. 5, 1991, 105 Stat. 1447.

Pub. L. 102–172, title VIII, §8123, Nov. 26, 1991, 105 Stat. 1205.

Pub. L. 101–189, div. A, title VIII, §823, Nov. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 1504.
41 U.S.C. § 8502 (2024) — Title 41: PUBLIC CONTRACTS / Chapter 85 / Section 8502: Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled
Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled
Status: in_force

(a) Establishment.—There is a Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled.

(b) Composition.—The Committee consists of 15 members appointed by the President as follows:

(1) One officer or employee from each of the following, nominated by the head of the department or agency:

(A) The Department of Agriculture.

(B) The Department of Defense.

(C) The Department of the Army.

(D) The Department of the Navy.

(E) The Department of the Air Force.

(F) The Department of Education.

(G) The Department of Commerce.

(H) The Department of Veterans Affairs.

(I) The Department of Justice.

(J) The Department of Labor.

(K) The General Services Administration.

(2) One member from individuals who are not officers or employees of the Federal Government and who are conversant with the problems incident to the employment of the blind.

(3) One member from individuals who are not officers or employees of the Federal Government and who are conversant with the problems incident to the employment of other severely disabled individuals.

(4) One member from individuals who are not officers or employees of the Federal Government and who represent blind individuals employed in qualified nonprofit agencies for the blind.

(5) One member from individuals who are not officers or employees of the Federal Government and who represent severely disabled individuals (other than blind individuals) employed in qualified nonprofit agencies for other severely disabled individuals.

(c) Terms of Office.—Members appointed under paragraph (2), (3), (4), or (5) of subsection (b) shall be appointed for terms of 5 years and may be reappointed if the member meets the qualifications prescribed by those paragraphs.

(d) Chairman.—The members of the Committee shall elect one of the members to be Chairman.

(e) Vacancy.—

(1) Manner in which filled.—A vacancy in the membership of the Committee shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made.

(2) Unfulfilled term.—A member appointed under paragraph (2), (3), (4), or (5) of subsection (b) to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which the predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of the term. The member may serve after the expiration of a term until a successor takes office.

(f) Pay and Travel Expenses.—

(1) Amount to which members are entitled.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), members of the Committee are entitled to receive the daily equivalent of the maximum annual rate of basic pay payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule for each day (including travel-time) during which they perform services for the Committee. A member is entitled to travel expenses, including a per diem allowance instead of subsistence, as provided under section 5703 of title 5.

(2) Officers or employees of the federal government.—Members who are officers or employees of the Federal Government may not receive additional pay because of their service on the Committee.

 (g) Staff.—

(1) Appointment and compensation.—Subject to rules the Committee may adopt and to chapters 33 and 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, the Chairman may appoint and fix the pay of personnel the Committee determines are necessary to assist it in carrying out this chapter.

(2) Personnel from other entities.—On request of the Committee, the head of an entity of the Federal Government may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any personnel of the entity to the Committee to assist it in carrying out this chapter.

(h) Obtaining Official Information.—The Committee may secure directly from an entity of the Federal Government information necessary to enable it to carry out this chapter. On request of the Chairman, the head of the entity shall furnish the information to the Committee.

(i) Administrative Support Services.—The Administrator of General Services shall provide to the Committee, on a reimbursable basis, administrative support services the Committee requests.

(j) Annual Report.—Not later than December 31 of each year, the Committee shall transmit to the President a report that includes the names of the Committee members serving in the prior fiscal year, the dates of Committee meetings in that year, a description of the activities of the Committee under this chapter in that year, and any recommendations for changes in this chapter which the Committee determines are necessary.

(Pub. L. 111–350, §3, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3835.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised 
Section
Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

8502(a), (b)
41:46(a) (less words in parentheses before par. (1)).
June 25, 1938, ch. 697, §1 (less (a) (words in parentheses before par. (1))), 52 Stat. 1196; Pub. L. 92–28, §1, June 23, 1971, 85 Stat. 77; Pub. L. 93–358, §1(1), (2), July 25, 1974, 88 Stat. 392; Pub. L. 94–273, §8(2), Apr. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 378; Pub. L. 102–54, §13(p), June 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 278; Pub. L. 102–569, title IX, §911(a), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4486; Pub. L. 103–73, title III, §301, Aug. 11, 1993, 107 Stat. 736.

8502(c)
41:46(d)(1), (2), (4).

8502(d)
41:46(c).

8502(e)(1)
41:46(b).

8502(e)(2)
41:46(d)(3).

8502(f)
41:46(e).

8502(g)
41:46(f).

8502(h)
41:46(g).

8502(i)
41:46(h).

8502(j)
41:46(i).

In subsection (b)(1)(F), the words "Department of Education" are substituted for "Department of Health and Human Services" in 41:46(a)(1) to correct a mistake in the United States Code. In the amendment to the original provision by section 1 of Public Law 92–28 (85 Stat. 77), an officer or employee of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare was one of the members appointed to the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, because the Department, through the Rehabilitation Services Administration, had the major governmental function in the field of vocational rehabilitation for the blind and other severely handicapped and administered related vocational rehabilitation programs for individuals with disabilities. See House Report 92–228. Under section 301(a)(4)(A) and (C) and (b)(3) of the Department of Education Organization Act (20:3441(a)(4)(A) and (C) and (b)(3)), the functions and offices of the Department and the functions of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare and the Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services were transferred to the Department or Secretary of Education. Section 509 of the Act (20:3508) redesignated the Department and Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare as the Department and Secretary of Health and Human Services, respectively, and provided that references to the Department and Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare were deemed to be references to the Department or Secretary of Health and Human Services except to the extent a reference was to a function of the Department or Secretary of Education. The reference in 41:46(a)(1) was changed to "Department of Health and Human Services" but should have been changed to "Department of Education". Furthermore, the regulations of the Committee include the Department of Education in the list of members of the Committee. See 41 CFR 51–2.1.

In subsection (c), the text of 41:46(d)(2) and (4) is omitted as obsolete.

In subsection (f)(1), the reference to section 5376 of title 5 is substituted for the reference to grade GS–18 of the General Schedule because of section 529 [title I, §101(c)(1)] of the Treasury, Postal Service and General Government Appropriations Act, 1991 (Public Law 101–509, 104 Stat. 1442, 5 U.S.C. 5376 note). The word "actual" is omitted as unnecessary. The words "A member is entitled to travel expenses, including a per diem allowance instead of subsistence, as provided under section 5703 of title 5" are substituted for 41:46(e)(3) to eliminate unnecessary words. The reference to section 5703 of title 5 is substituted for the reference to section 5703(b) of title 5 because of the amendment to section 5703 by section 4 of the Travel Expense Amendments Act of 1975 (Public Law 94–22, 89 Stat. 85).

In subsection (g), the words "its duties and powers" are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (g)(1), the reference to chapter 33 of title 5 is substituted for "the provisions of title 5 governing appointments in the competitive service" for clarity and for consistency with other titles of the United States Code. The words "relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates" are omitted as unnecessary.

In subsection (j), the words "and to the Congress" are omitted pursuant to section 3003 of the Federal Reports Elimination and Sunset Act of 1995 (31 U.S.C. 1113 note). See, also, page 199 of House Document No. 103–7.

Senate Revision Amendment

In subsec. (f)(1), "for level IV of the Executive Schedule" substituted for "under section 5376 of title 5" by S. Amdt. 4726 (111th Cong.). See 156 Cong. Rec. 18683 (2010).
41 U.S.C. § 3301 (2024) — Title 41: PUBLIC CONTRACTS / Chapter 33 / Section 3301: Full and open competition
Full and open competition
Status: in_force

(a) In General.—Except as provided in sections 3303, 3304(a), and 3305 of this title and except in the case of procurement procedures otherwise expressly authorized by statute, an executive agency in conducting a procurement for property or services shall—

(1) obtain full and open competition through the use of competitive procedures in accordance with the requirements of this division and the Federal Acquisition Regulation; and

(2) use the competitive procedure or combination of competitive procedures that is best suited under the circumstances of the procurement.

(b) Appropriate Competitive Procedures.—

(1) Use of sealed bids.—In determining the competitive procedures appropriate under the circumstance, an executive agency shall—

(A) solicit sealed bids if—

(i) time permits the solicitation, submission, and evaluation of sealed bids;

(ii) the award will be made on the basis of price and other price-related factors;

(iii) it is not necessary to conduct discussions with the responding sources about their bids; and

(iv) there is a reasonable expectation of receiving more than one sealed bid; or

(B) request competitive proposals if sealed bids are not appropriate under subparagraph (A).

(2) Sealed bid not required.—Paragraph (1)(A) does not require the use of sealed-bid procedures in cases in which section 204(e) 1 of title 23 applies.

(c) Efficient Fulfillment of Government Requirements.—The Federal Acquisition Regulation shall ensure that the requirement to obtain full and open competition is implemented in a manner that is consistent with the need to efficiently fulfill the Federal Government's requirements.

(Pub. L. 111–350, §3, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3745.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised 
Section
Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

3301(a)
41:253(a)(1).
June 30, 1949, ch. 288, title III, §303(a), 63 Stat. 395; July 12, 1952, ch. 703, §1(m), 66 Stat. 594; Pub. L. 90–268, §2, Mar. 16, 1968, 82 Stat. 49; Pub. L. 98–369, title VII, §2711(a)(1), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1175; Pub. L. 103–355, title I, §1051(1), Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3260.

3301(b)(1)
41:253(a)(2).

3301(b)(2)
41:252(c)(2).
June 30, 1949, ch. 288, title III, §302(c)(2), as added Pub. L. 98–369, title VII, §2714(a)(1)(B), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1184.

3301(c)
41:253(h).
June 30, 1949, ch. 288, title III, §303(h), as added Pub. L. 104–106, title XLI, §4101(b)(2), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 642.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 204 of title 23, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), was repealed and a new section 204 enacted by Pub. L. 112–141, div. A, title I, §1119(a), July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 473, 489.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Regulations

Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title VIII, §836, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3449, provided that: "Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 19, 2014], the Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy shall prescribe regulations providing that when the Federal Government makes a purchase of services and supplies offered under the Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative (managed by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy) but such Initiative is not used, the contract file for the purchase shall include a brief analysis of the comparative value, including price and nonprice factors, between the services and supplies offered under such Initiative and services and supplies offered under the source or sources used for the purchase."

Construction

Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title VII, §2711(c), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1181, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [see Tables for classification] do not supersede or affect the provisions of section 8(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(a))."

Pilot Programs for Authority To Acquire Innovative Commercial Items Using General Solicitation Competitive Procedures

Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title VIII, §880, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2313, as amended by Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §836(f)(10), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1872; Pub. L. 117–263, div. G, title LXXII, §7227(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3675, provided that:

"(a) Authority.—

"(1) In general.—The head of an agency may carry out a pilot program, to be known as a 'commercial solutions opening pilot program', under which innovative commercial products may be acquired through a competitive selection of proposals resulting from a general solicitation and the peer review of such proposals.

"(2) Head of an agency.—In this section, the term 'head of an agency' means the following:

"(A) The Secretary of Homeland Security.

"(B) The Administrator of General Services.

"(3) Applicability of section.—This section applies to the following agencies:

"(A) The Department of Homeland Security.

"(B) The General Services Administration.

"(b) Treatment as Competitive Procedures.—Use of general solicitation competitive procedures for the pilot program under subsection (a) shall be considered, in the case of the Department of Homeland Security and the General Services Administration, to be use of competitive procedures for purposes of division C of [subtitle I of] title 41, United States Code (as defined in section 152 of such title).

"(c) Limitation.—The head of an agency may not enter into a contract under the pilot program for an amount in excess of $25,000,000.

"(d) Guidance.—The head of an agency shall issue guidance for the implementation of the pilot program under this section within that agency. Such guidance shall be issued in consultation with the Office of Management and Budget and shall be posted for access by the public.

"(e) Report Required.—

"(1) In general.—Not later than three years after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 23, 2016], the head of an agency shall submit to the congressional committees specified in paragraph (3) a report on the activities the agency carried out under the pilot program.

"(2) Elements of report.—Each report under this subsection shall include the following:

"(A) An assessment of the impact of the pilot program on competition.

"(B) A comparison of acquisition timelines for—

"(i) procurements made using the pilot program; and

"(ii) procurements made using other competitive procedures that do not use general solicitations.

"(C) A recommendation on whether the authority for the pilot program should be made permanent.

"(3) Specified congressional committees.—The congressional committees specified in this paragraph are the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform [now Committee on Oversight and Accountability] of the House of Representatives.

"(f) Definitions.—In this section—

"(1) the term 'commercial product'—

"(A) has the meaning given the term 'commercial item' in section 2.101 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation; and

"(B) includes a commercial product or a commercial service, as defined in sections 103 and 103a, respectively, of title 41, United States Code; and

"(2) the term 'innovative' means—

"(A) any new technology, process, or method, including research and development; or

"(B) any new application of an existing technology, process, or method.

"(g) Termination.—The authority to enter into a contract under a pilot program under this section terminates on September 30, 2027."

Governmentwide Software Purchasing Program

Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title VIII, §837, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3450, provided that:

"(a) In General.—The Administrator of General Services shall identify and develop a strategic sourcing initiative to enhance Governmentwide acquisition, shared use, and dissemination of software, as well as compliance with end user license agreements.

"(b) Governmentwide User License Agreement.—The Administrator, in developing the initiative under subsection (a), shall allow for the purchase of a license agreement that is available for use by all Executive agencies (as defined in section 105 of title 5, United States Code) as one user to the maximum extent practicable and as appropriate."

1 See References in Text note below.
41 U.S.C. § 114 (2024) — Title 41: PUBLIC CONTRACTS / Chapter 1 / Subchapter I / Section 114: Standards
Standards
Status: in_force

In this subtitle, the term "standards" means the criteria for determining the effectiveness of the procurement system by measuring the performance of the various elements of the system.

(Pub. L. 111–350, §3, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3681.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised 
Section
Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

114
41:259(c)(3).
June 30, 1949, ch. 288, title III, §309(c)(3), as added Pub. L. 98–369, title VII, §2711(a)(3), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1180; Pub. L. 98–577, title V, §504(a)(4), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 3086; Pub. L. 103–355, title I, §1551, Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3299.

 
41:403(4).
Pub. L. 93–400, §4(4), formerly §4(5), Aug. 30, 1974, 88 Stat. 797; Pub. L. 96–83, §3, Oct. 10, 1979, 93 Stat. 649; Pub. L. 98–191, §4, Dec. 1, 1983, 97 Stat. 1326; Pub. L. 98–369, title VII, §2731(2), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1195; redesignated as §4(4), Pub. L. 100–679, §3(c), Nov. 17, 1988, 102 Stat. 4056; Pub. L. 103–355, title VIII, §8001(b)(1), (2), (4), Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3386.
41 U.S.C. § 2313 (2024) — Title 41: PUBLIC CONTRACTS / Chapter 23 / Section 2313: Database for Federal agency contract and grant officers and suspension and debarment officials
Database for Federal agency contract and grant officers and suspension and debarment officials
Status: in_force

(a) In General.—Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Administrator of General Services shall establish and maintain a database of information regarding the integrity and performance of certain persons awarded Federal agency contracts and grants for use by Federal agency officials having authority over contracts and grants.

(b) Persons Covered.—The database shall cover the following:

(1) Any person awarded a Federal agency contract or grant in excess of $500,000, if any information described in subsection (c) exists with respect to the person.

(2) Any person awarded such other category or categories of Federal agency contract as the Federal Acquisition Regulation may provide, if any information described in subsection (c) exists with respect to the person.

(c) Information Included.—With respect to a covered person, the database shall include information (in the form of a brief description) for the most recent 5-year period regarding the following:

(1) Each civil or criminal proceeding, or any administrative proceeding, in connection with the award or performance of a contract or grant with the Federal Government with respect to the person during the period to the extent that the proceeding results in the following dispositions:

(A) In a criminal proceeding, a conviction.

(B) In a civil proceeding, a finding of fault and liability that results in the payment of a monetary fine, penalty, reimbursement, restitution, or damages of $5,000 or more.

(C) In an administrative proceeding, a finding of fault and liability that results in—

(i) the payment of a monetary fine or penalty of $5,000 or more; or

(ii) the payment of a reimbursement, restitution, or damages in excess of $100,000.

(D) To the maximum extent practicable and consistent with applicable laws and regulations, in a criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding, a disposition of the matter by consent or compromise with an acknowledgment of fault by the person if the proceeding could have led to any of the outcomes specified in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C).

(E) In an administrative proceeding—

(i) a final determination of contractor fault by the Secretary of Defense pursuant to section 823(d) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (10 U.S.C. 2302 note; Public Law 111–84); or

(ii) a substantiated allegation, pursuant to section 1704(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013, that the contractor, a subcontractor, or an agent of the contractor or subcontractor engaged in any of the activities described in section 106(g) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7104(g)).

(2) Each Federal contract and grant awarded to the person that was terminated in the period due to default.

(3) Each Federal suspension and debarment of the person.

(4) Each Federal administrative agreement entered into by the person and the Federal Government in the period to resolve a suspension or debarment proceeding.

(5) Each final finding by a Federal official in the period that the person has been determined not to be a responsible source under paragraph (3) or (4) of section 113 of this title.

(6) Other information that shall be provided for purposes of this section in the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

(7) To the maximum extent practicable, information similar to the information covered by paragraphs (1) to (4) in connection with the award or performance of a contract or grant with a State government.

(8) Whether the person is included on any of the following lists maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury:

(A) The specially designated nationals and blocked persons list (commonly known as the "SDN list").

(B) The sectoral sanctions identification list.

(C) The foreign sanctions evaders list.

(D) The list of persons sanctioned under the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 (Public Law 104–172; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note) that do not appear on the SDN list (commonly known as the "Non-SDN Iranian Sanctions Act list").

(E) The list of foreign financial institutions subject to part 561 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations.

(d) Requirements Relating to Database Information.—

(1) Direct input and update.—The Administrator of General Services shall design and maintain the database in a manner that allows the appropriate Federal agency officials to directly input and update information in the database relating to actions that the officials have taken with regard to contractors or grant recipients.

(2) Timeliness and accuracy.—The Administrator of General Services shall develop policies to require—

(A) the timely and accurate input of information into the database;

(B) the timely notification of any covered person when information relevant to the person is entered into the database; and

(C) opportunities for any covered person to submit comments pertaining to information about the person for inclusion in the database.

(3) Information on corporations.—The information in the database on a person that is a corporation shall, to the extent practicable, include information on any parent, subsidiary, or successor entities to the corporation, and an identification of any beneficial owner of such corporation, in a manner designed to give the acquisition officials using the database a comprehensive understanding of the performance and integrity of the corporation in carrying out Federal contracts and grants.

(4) Definitions.—In this subsection:

(A) Beneficial ownership.—The term "beneficial ownership" has the meaning given under section 847 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (Public Law 116–92; 133 Stat. 1505; 10 U.S.C. 2509 note).

(B) Corporation.—The term "corporation" means any corporation, company, limited liability company, limited partnership, business trust, business association, or other similar entity.

(e) Use of Database.—

(1) Availability to government officials.—The Administrator of General Services shall ensure that the information in the database is available to appropriate acquisition officials of Federal agencies, other government officials as the Administrator of General Services determines appropriate, and, on request, the Chairman and Ranking Member of the committees of Congress having jurisdiction.

(2) Review and assessment of data.—

(A) In general.—Before awarding a contract or grant in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold under section 134 of this title, the Federal agency official responsible for awarding the contract or grant shall review the database and consider all information in the database with regard to any offer or proposal, and in the case of a contract, shall consider other past performance information available with respect to the offeror in making any responsibility determination or past performance evaluation for the offeror.

(B) Documentation in contract file.—The contract file for each contract of a Federal agency in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold shall document the manner in which the material in the database was considered in any responsibility determination or past performance evaluation.

(f) Disclosure in Applications.—The Federal Acquisition Regulation shall require that persons with Federal agency contracts and grants valued in total greater than $10,000,000 shall—

(1) submit to the Administrator of General Services, in a manner determined appropriate by the Administrator of General Services, the information subject to inclusion in the database as listed in subsection (c) current as of the date of submittal of the information under this subsection; and

(2) update the information submitted under paragraph (1) on a semiannual basis.

(g) Rulemaking.—The Administrator of General Services shall prescribe regulations that may be necessary to carry out this section.

(Pub. L. 111–350, §3, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3740; Pub. L. 111–212, title III, §3010, July 29, 2010, 124 Stat. 2340; Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title VIII, §834(d), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4279; Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title VIII, §852, title XVII, §1704(d)(2), Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1856, 2096; Pub. L. 113–291, div. A, title XII, §1270, Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3587; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title VIII, §885, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3791.)

Amendments Not Shown in Text

This section was derived from section 417b of former Title 41, Public Contracts, which was amended by Pub. L. 111–212, title III, §3010, July 29, 2010, 124 Stat. 2340, and Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title VIII, §834(d), Jan. 7, 2011, 124 Stat. 4279, prior to being repealed and reenacted as this section by Pub. L. 111–350, §§3, 7(b), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3677, 3855. For applicability of those amendments to this section, see section 6(a) of Pub. L. 111–350, set out as a Transitional and Savings Provisions note preceding section 101 of this title. Section 417b of former Title 41 was amended by adding at the end of subsec. (e)(1) the following: "In addition, the Administrator shall post all such information, excluding past performance reviews, on a publicly available Internet website." and by adding at the end of subsec. (c)(1) the following new subparagraph:

"(E) In an administrative proceeding, a final determination of contractor fault by the Secretary of Defense pursuant to section 823(d) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (10 U.S.C. 2302 note)."

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised 
Section
Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

2313
41:417b.
Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title VIII, §872, Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4555.

In subsection (a), the words "not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act" are omitted because of section 6(f) of the bill.

In subsection (c)(7), the word "practicable" is substituted for "practical" to correct an error in the law.

In subsection (f), the words "Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act" are omitted because of section 6(f) of the bill. The words "shall require" are substituted for "shall be amended to require" to reflect the permanence of the provision.

In subsection (f)(2), the words "the information submitted under paragraph (1)" are substituted for "such information" for clarity.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 1704(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013, referred to in subsec. (c)(1)(E)(ii), is section 1704(b) of Pub. L. 112–239, which is classified to section 7104b(b) of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse.

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 116–283, §885(1), inserted ", and an identification of any beneficial owner of such corporation," after "to the corporation".

Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 116–283, §885(2), added par. (4).

2014—Subsec. (c)(8). Pub. L. 113–291 added par. (8).

2013—Subsec. (c)(1)(E). Pub. L. 112–239, §1704(d)(2), amended subpar. (E) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (E), as added by Pub. L. 111–383, §834(d), read as follows: "(E) In an administrative proceeding, a final determination of contractor fault by the Secretary of Defense pursuant to section 823(d) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (10 U.S.C. 2302 note)." See Amendments Not Shown in Text note above.

Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 112–239, §852, added par. (3).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Deadline for Establishing Database

Pub. L. 111–350, §6(f)(3), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3855, provided that: "The requirement in section 2313(a) of title 41, United States Code, to establish a database shall be done not later than one year after October 14, 2008."

Deadline for Amending Federal Acquisition Regulation

Pub. L. 111–350, §6(f)(4), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3855, provided that: "The Federal Acquisition Regulation shall be amended to meet the requirements of sections 2313(f), 3302(b) and (d), 4710(b), and 4711(b) of title 41, United States Code, not later than one year after October 14, 2008."
41 U.S.C. § 1303 (2024) — Title 41: PUBLIC CONTRACTS / Chapter 13 / Subchapter I / Section 1303: Functions and authority
Functions and authority
Status: in_force

(a) Functions.—

(1) Issue and maintain federal acquisition regulation.—Subject to sections 1121, 1122(a) to (c)(1), 1125, 1126, 1130, 1131, and 2305 of this title, the Administrator of General Services, the Secretary of Defense, and the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space, pursuant to their respective authorities under division C of this subtitle, chapter 4 of title 10, chapter 137 legacy provisions (as such term is defined in section 3016 of title 10), and the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 (42 U.S.C. 2451 et seq.),1 shall jointly issue and maintain in accordance with subsection (d) a single Government-wide procurement regulation, to be known as the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

(2) Limitation on other regulations.—Other regulations relating to procurement issued by an executive agency shall be limited to—

(A) regulations essential to implement Government-wide policies and procedures within the agency; and

(B) additional policies and procedures required to satisfy the specific and unique needs of the agency.

(3) Ensure consistent regulations.—The Administrator, in consultation with the Council, shall ensure that procurement regulations prescribed by executive agencies are consistent with the Federal Acquisition Regulation and in accordance with the policies prescribed pursuant to section 1121(b) of this title.

(4) Request to review regulation.—

(A) Basis for request.—Under procedures the Administrator establishes, a person may request the Administrator to review a regulation relating to procurement on the basis that the regulation is inconsistent with the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

(B) Period of review.—Unless the request is frivolous or does not, on its face, state a valid basis for the review, the Administrator shall complete the review not later than 60 days after receiving the request. The time for completion of the review may be extended if the Administrator determines that an additional period of review is required. The Administrator shall advise the requester of the reasons for the extension and the date by which the review will be completed.

(5) When regulation is inconsistent or needs to be improved.—If the Administrator determines that a regulation relating to procurement is inconsistent with the Federal Acquisition Regulation or that the regulation otherwise should be revised to remove an inconsistency with the policies prescribed under section 1121(b) of this title, the Administrator shall rescind or deny the promulgation of the regulation or take other action authorized under sections 1121, 1122(a) to (c)(1), 1125, 1126, 1130, 1131, and 2305 of this title as may be necessary to remove the inconsistency. If the Administrator determines that the regulation, although not inconsistent with the Federal Acquisition Regulation or those policies, should be revised to improve compliance with the Regulation or policies, the Administrator shall take action authorized under sections 1121, 1122(a) to (c)(1), 1125, 1126, 1130, 1131, and 2305 as may be necessary and appropriate.

(6) Decisions to be in writing and publicly available.—The decisions of the Administrator shall be in writing and made publicly available.

(b) Additional Responsibilities of Membership.—

(1) In general.—Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the head of the agency concerned, each official who represents an agency on the Council pursuant to section 1302(b) of this title shall—

(A) approve or disapprove all regulations relating to procurement that are proposed for public comment, prescribed in final form, or otherwise made effective by that agency before the regulation may be prescribed in final form, or otherwise made effective, except that the official may grant an interim approval, without review, for not more than 60 days for a procurement regulation in urgent and compelling circumstances;

(B) carry out the responsibilities of that agency set forth in chapter 35 of title 44 for each information collection request that relates to procurement rules or regulations; and

(C) eliminate or reduce—

(i) any redundant or unnecessary levels of review and approval in the procurement system of that agency; and

(ii) redundant or unnecessary procurement regulations which are unique to that agency.

(2) Limitation on delegation.—The authority to review and approve or disapprove regulations under paragraph (1)(A) may not be delegated to an individual outside the office of the official who represents the agency on the Council pursuant to section 1302(b) of this title.

(c) Governing Policies.—All actions of the Council and of members of the Council shall be in accordance with and furtherance of the policies prescribed under section 1121(b) of this title.

(d) General Authority With Respect to Federal Acquisition Regulation.—Subject to section 1121(d) of this title, the Council shall manage, coordinate, control, and monitor the maintenance of, issuance of, and changes in, the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

(Pub. L. 111–350, §3, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3691; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1702(h)(2), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2158

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised 
Section
Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

1303(a)
41:421(c).
Pub. L. 93–400, §25(c)–(f), as added Pub. L. 100–679, §4, Nov. 17, 1988, 102 Stat. 4056; Pub. L. 104–201, title VIII, §822, title X, §1074(f)(3), Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2609, 2661; Pub. L. 105–85, title VIII, §841(d), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1843.

1303(b)
41:421(d).

1303(c)
41:421(e).

1303(d)
41:421(f).

In subsection (a)(6), the text of 41:421(c)(6) (last sentence) is omitted because 41:407 was repealed by section 4305(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 1996 (Public Law 104–106, 110 Stat. 665).

In subsection (b)(1)(A), the words "after 60 days after November 17, 1988" are omitted as obsolete.

In subsection (b)(1)(B), the words "(as that term is defined in section 3502(11) of title 44)" are omitted because chapter 35 of title 44 was amended generally by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Public Law 104–13, 109 Stat. 163) and 44:3502 no longer defines "information collection request". The term "information collection request" is retained in this section of the revised title, however, because 44:ch. 35 still contains provisions about requests for collection of information.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is Pub. L. 85–568, July 29, 1958, 72 Stat. 426, which was classified principally to chapter 26 (§2451 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, and was substantially repealed and restated as chapter 201 (§20101 et seq.) of Title 51, National and Commercial Space Programs, by Pub. L. 111–314, §§3, 6, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3328, 3444. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1958 Act note set out under section 10101 of Title 51 and Tables.

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 117–81 substituted "chapter 4 of title 10, chapter 137 legacy provisions (as such term is defined in section 3016 of title 10)" for "chapters 4 and 137 of title 10".

1 See References in Text note below.
41 U.S.C. § 152 (2024) — Title 41: PUBLIC CONTRACTS / Chapter 1 / Subchapter III / Section 152: Competitive procedures
Competitive procedures
Status: in_force

In division C, the term "competitive procedures" means procedures under which an executive agency enters into a contract pursuant to full and open competition. The term also includes—

(1) procurement of architectural or engineering services conducted in accordance with chapter 11 of title 40;

(2) the competitive selection of basic research proposals resulting from a general solicitation and the peer review or scientific review (as appropriate) of those proposals;

(3) the procedures established by the Administrator of General Services for the multiple awards schedule program of the General Services Administration if—

(A) participation in the program has been open to all responsible sources; and

(B) orders and contracts under those procedures result in the lowest overall cost alternative to meet the needs of the Federal Government;

(4) procurements conducted in furtherance of section 15 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 644) as long as all responsible business concerns that are entitled to submit offers for those procurements are permitted to compete; and

(5) a competitive selection of research proposals resulting from a general solicitation and peer review or scientific review (as appropriate) solicited pursuant to section 9 of that Act (15 U.S.C. 638).

(Pub. L. 111–350, §3, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3683.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised 
Section
Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

152
41:259(b).
June 30, 1949, ch. 288, §309(b), as added Pub. L. 98–369, title VII, §2711(a)(3), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1180; Pub. L. 98–577, §504(a)(3), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 3086; Pub. L. 105–85, title X, §1073(g)(1), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1906.
41 U.S.C. § 3304 (2024) — Title 41: PUBLIC CONTRACTS / Chapter 33 / Section 3304: Use of noncompetitive procedures
Use of noncompetitive procedures
Status: in_force

(a) When Noncompetitive Procedures May Be Used.—An executive agency may use procedures other than competitive procedures only when—

(1) the property or services needed by the executive agency are available from only one responsible source and no other type of property or services will satisfy the needs of the executive agency;

(2) the executive agency's need for the property or services is of such an unusual and compelling urgency that the Federal Government would be seriously injured unless the executive agency is permitted to limit the number of sources from which it solicits bids or proposals;

(3) it is necessary to award the contract to a particular source—

(A) to maintain a facility, producer, manufacturer, or other supplier available for furnishing property or services in case of a national emergency or to achieve industrial mobilization;

(B) to establish or maintain an essential engineering, research, or development capability to be provided by an educational or other nonprofit institution or a Federally funded research and development center;

(C) to procure the services of an expert for use, in any litigation or dispute (including any reasonably foreseeable litigation or dispute) involving the Federal Government, in any trial, hearing, or proceeding before a court, administrative tribunal, or agency, whether or not the expert is expected to testify; or

(D) to procure the services of an expert or neutral for use in any part of an alternative dispute resolution or negotiated rulemaking process, whether or not the expert is expected to testify;

(4) the terms of an international agreement or treaty between the Federal Government and a foreign government or an international organization, or the written directions of a foreign government reimbursing the executive agency for the cost of the procurement of the property or services for that government, have the effect of requiring the use of procedures other than competitive procedures;

(5) subject to section 3105 of this title, a statute expressly authorizes or requires that the procurement be made through another executive agency or from a specified source, or the agency's need is for a brand-name commercial product for authorized resale;

(6) the disclosure of the executive agency's needs would compromise the national security unless the agency is permitted to limit the number of sources from which it solicits bids or proposals; or

(7) the head of the executive agency (who may not delegate the authority under this paragraph)—

(A) determines that it is necessary in the public interest to use procedures other than competitive procedures in the particular procurement concerned; and

(B) notifies Congress in writing of that determination not less than 30 days before the award of the contract.

(b) Property or Services Deemed Available From Only One Source.—For the purposes of subsection (a)(1), in the case of—

(1) a contract for property or services to be awarded on the basis of acceptance of an unsolicited research proposal, the property or services are deemed to be available from only one source if the source has submitted an unsolicited research proposal that demonstrates a unique and innovative concept, the substance of which is not otherwise available to the Federal Government and does not resemble the substance of a pending competitive procurement; or

(2) a follow-on contract for the continued development or production of a major system or highly specialized equipment, the property may be deemed to be available only from the original source and may be procured through procedures other than competitive procedures when it is likely that award to a source other than the original source would result in—

(A) substantial duplication of cost to the Federal Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition; or

(B) unacceptable delay in fulfilling the executive agency's needs.

(c) Property or Services Needed With Unusual and Compelling Urgency.—

(1) Allowable contract period.—The contract period of a contract described in paragraph (2) that is entered into by an executive agency pursuant to the authority provided under subsection (a)(2)—

(A) may not exceed the time necessary—

(i) to meet the unusual and compelling requirements of the work to be performed under the contract; and

(ii) for the executive agency to enter into another contract for the required goods or services through the use of competitive procedures; and

(B) may not exceed one year unless the head of the executive agency entering into the contract determines that exceptional circumstances apply.

(2) Applicability of allowable contract period.—This subsection applies to any contract in an amount greater than the simplified acquisition threshold.

(d) Offer Requests to Potential Sources.—An executive agency using procedures other than competitive procedures to procure property or services by reason of the application of paragraph (2) or (6) of subsection (a) shall request offers from as many potential sources as is practicable under the circumstances.

(e) Justification for Use of Noncompetitive Procedures.—

(1) Prerequisites for awarding contract.—Except as provided in paragraphs (3) and (4), an executive agency may not award a contract using procedures other than competitive procedures unless—

(A) the contracting officer for the contract justifies the use of those procedures in writing and certifies the accuracy and completeness of the justification;

(B) the justification is approved, in the case of a contract for an amount—

(i) exceeding $500,000 but equal to or less than $10,000,000, by the advocate for competition for the procuring activity (without further delegation) or by an official referred to in clause (ii) or (iii);

(ii) exceeding $10,000,000 but equal to or less than $50,000,000, by the head of the procuring activity or by a delegate who, if a member of the armed forces, is a general or flag officer or, if a civilian, is serving in a position in which the individual is entitled to receive the daily equivalent of the maximum annual rate of basic pay payable for level IV of the Executive Schedule (or in a comparable or higher position under another schedule); or

(iii) exceeding $50,000,000, by the senior procurement executive of the agency designated pursuant to section 1702(c) of this title (without further delegation); and

(C) any required notice has been published with respect to the contract pursuant to section 1708 of this title and the executive agency has considered all bids or proposals received in response to that notice.

(2) Elements of justification.—The justification required by paragraph (1)(A) shall include—

(A) a description of the agency's needs;

(B) an identification of the statutory exception from the requirement to use competitive procedures and a demonstration, based on the proposed contractor's qualifications or the nature of the procurement, of the reasons for using that exception;

(C) a determination that the anticipated cost will be fair and reasonable;

(D) a description of the market survey conducted or a statement of the reasons a market survey was not conducted;

(E) a listing of any sources that expressed in writing an interest in the procurement; and

(F) a statement of any actions the agency may take to remove or overcome a barrier to competition before a subsequent procurement for those needs.

(3) Justification allowed after contract awarded.—In the case of a procurement permitted by subsection (a)(2), the justification and approval required by paragraph (1) may be made after the contract is awarded.

(4) Justification not required.—The justification and approval required by paragraph (1) are not required if—

(A) a statute expressly requires that the procurement be made from a specified source;

(B) the agency's need is for a brand-name commercial product for authorized resale;

(C) the procurement is permitted by subsection (a)(7); or

(D) the procurement is conducted under chapter 85 of this title or section 8(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(a)).

(5) Restrictions on executive agencies.—

(A) Contracts and procurement of property or services.—In no case may an executive agency—

(i) enter into a contract for property or services using procedures other than competitive procedures on the basis of the lack of advance planning or concerns related to the amount available to the agency for procurement functions; or

(ii) procure property or services from another executive agency unless the other executive agency complies fully with the requirements of this division in its procurement of the property or services.

(B) Additional restriction.—The restriction set out in subparagraph (A)(ii) is in addition to any other restriction provided by law.

(f) Public Availability of Justification and Approval Required for Using Noncompetitive Procedures.—

(1) Time requirement.—

(A) Within 14 days after contract award.—Except as provided in subparagraph (B), in the case of a procurement permitted by subsection (a), the head of an executive agency shall make publicly available, within 14 days after the award of the contract, the documents containing the justification and approval required by subsection (e)(1) with respect to the procurement.

(B) Within 30 days after contract award.—In the case of a procurement permitted by subsection (a)(2), subparagraph (A) shall be applied by substituting "30 days" for "14 days".

(2) Availability on websites.—The documents referred to in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) shall be made available on the website of the agency and through a Government-wide website selected by the Administrator.

(3) Exception to availability and approval requirement.—This subsection does not require the public availability of information that is exempt from public disclosure under section 552(b) of title 5.

(Pub. L. 111–350, §3, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3748; Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §836(b)(7), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1861.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised 
Section
Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

3304(a)
41:253(c), (d)(2).
June 30, 1949, ch. 288, title III, §303(c)–(f), (j), 63 Stat. 395; July 12, 1952, ch. 703, §1(m), 66 Stat. 594; Pub. L. 90–268, §2, Mar. 16, 1968, 82 Stat. 49; Pub. L. 98–369, title VII, §2711(a)(1), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1176; Pub. L. 98–577, title V, §504(a)(2), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 3086; Pub. L. 99–145, title IX, §961(a)(2), title XIII, §1304(c)(2), Nov. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 703, 742; Pub. L. 103–355, title I, §§1053, 1055(a), title VII, §7203(b)(1)(A), Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3261, 3265, 3380; Pub. L. 104–106, title XLI, §4102(b), title XLIII, §4321(e)(2), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 643, 674; Pub. L. 104–320, §§7(a)(2), 11(c)(2), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3871, 3873; Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title VIII, §844(a), Jan. 28, 2008, 122 Stat. 239; Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title VIII, §862(a), Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4546.

3304(b)
41:253(d)(1).

3304(c)
41:253(d)(3).

3304(d)
41:253(e).

3304(e)(1)
41:253(f)(1).

3304(e)(2)
41:253(f)(3).

3304(e)(3), (4)
41:253(f)(2).

3304(e)(5)
41:253(f)(4).

3304(f)
41:253(j).

In subsection (a)(7), the words "(who may not delegate the authority under this paragraph)" are substituted for 41:253(d)(2) to move the restriction closer to where it applies.

In subsection (e)(1)(B)(i), the words "advocate for competition" are substituted for "competition advocate" for consistency with section 1705 of the revised title.

In subsection (e)(1)(B)(ii), the reference to section 5376 of title 5 is substituted for the reference to grade GS–16 or above under the General Schedule because of section 529 [title I, §101(c)(1)] of the Treasury, Postal Service and General Government Appropriations Act, 1991 (Public Law 101–509, 104 Stat. 1442, 5 U.S.C. 5376 note).

In subsection (e)(5)(B), the words "and not in lieu of" are omitted as unnecessary.

 In subsection (f)(2), the words "referred to in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1)" are added for clarity.

Senate Revision Amendment

In subsec. (e)(1)(B)(ii), "for level IV of the Executive Schedule" substituted for "under section 5376 of title 5" by S. Amdt. 4726 (111th Cong.). See 156 Cong. Rec. 18682 (2010).

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Subsecs. (a)(5), (e)(4)(B). Pub. L. 115–232 substituted "commercial product" for "commercial item".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 115–232 effective Jan. 1, 2020, subject to a savings provision, see section 836(h) of Pub. L. 115–232, set out as an Effective Date of 2018 Amendment; Savings Provision note under section 453b of Title 6, Domestic Security.

General Services Administration: Notification of Use of Noncompetitive Procedures in Response to Public Health Emergency Declaration

Pub. L. 116–136, div. B, title V, §15003, Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 532, provided that: "Notwithstanding 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(7)(B), the Administrator, when making a determination that use of noncompetitive procedures is necessary for public interest in accordance with 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(7)(A) in response to a public health emergency declaration by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247(d) [247d]), is required to notify Congress in writing of that determination not less than 3 days prior to the award of the contract."

Justification and Approval of Sole-Source Contracts

Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title VIII, §811, Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2405, as amended by Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1702(i)(3), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2159, provided that:

"(a) In General.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 28, 2009], the Federal Acquisition Regulation shall be revised to provide that the head of an agency may not award a sole-source contract in a covered procurement for an amount exceeding $20,000,000 unless—

"(1) the contracting officer for the contract justifies the use of a sole-source contract in writing;

"(2) the justification is approved by the appropriate official designated to approve contract awards for dollar amounts that are comparable to the amount of the sole-source contract; and

"(3) the justification and related information are made public as provided in sections 3204(e)(1)(C) and 3204(f) of title 10, United States Code, or sections 303(f)(1)(C) and 303(j) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (41 U.S.C. 253(f)(1)(C) and 253(j)) [now 41 U.S.C. 3304(e)(1)(C) and 3304(f)], as applicable.

"(b) Elements of Justification.—The justification of a sole-source contract required pursuant to subsection (a) shall include the following:

"(1) A description of the needs of the agency concerned for the matters covered by the contract.

"(2) A specification of the statutory provision providing the exception from the requirement to use competitive procedures in entering into the contract.

"(3) A determination that the use of a sole-source contract is in the best interest of the agency concerned.

"(4) A determination that the anticipated cost of the contract will be fair and reasonable.

"(5) Such other matters as the head of the agency concerned shall specify for purposes of this section.

"(c) Definitions.—In this section:

"(1) Covered procurement.—The term 'covered procurement' means either of the following:

"(A) A procurement described in section 3204(e)(4)(D)(ii) of title 10, United States Code.

"(B) A procurement described in section 303(f)(2)(D)(ii) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 ([former] 41 U.S.C. 253(f)(2)(D)(ii)) [see 41 U.S.C. 3304(e)(4)(D)].

"(2) Head of an agency.—The term 'head of an agency'—

"(A) in the case of a covered procurement as defined in paragraph (1)(A), has the meaning provided in section 3004 of title 10, United States Code; and

"(B) in the case of a covered procurement as defined in paragraph (1)(B), has the meaning provided the term 'agency head' in section 309(a) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (41 U.S.C. 259(a)) [now 41 U.S.C. 151].

"(3) Appropriate official.—The term 'appropriate official' means—

"(A) in the case of a covered procurement as defined in paragraph (1)(A), an official designated in section 3204(e)(1)(B) of title 10, United States Code; and

"(B) in the case of a covered procurement as defined in paragraph (1)(B), an official designated in section 303(f)(1)(B) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (41 U.S.C. 253(f)(1)(B)) [now 41 U.S.C. 3304(e)(1)(B)]."
41 U.S.C. § 1502 (2024) — Title 41: PUBLIC CONTRACTS / Chapter 15 / Section 1502: Cost accounting standards
Cost accounting standards
Status: in_force

(a) Authority.—

(1) Cost accounting standards board.—The Cost Accounting Standards Board has exclusive authority to prescribe, amend, and rescind cost accounting standards, and interpretations of the standards, designed to achieve uniformity and consistency in the cost accounting standards governing measurement, assignment, and allocation of costs to contracts with the Federal Government.

(2) Administrator for federal procurement policy.—The Administrator, after consultation with the Board, shall prescribe rules and procedures governing actions of the Board under this chapter. The rules and procedures shall require that any action to prescribe, amend, or rescind a standard or interpretation be approved by majority vote of the Board.

(b) Mandatory Use of Standards.—

(1) Subcontract.—

(A) Definition.—In this paragraph, the term "subcontract" includes a transfer of commercial products or commercial services between divisions, subsidiaries, or affiliates of a contractor or subcontractor.

(B) When standards are to be used.—Cost accounting standards prescribed under this chapter are mandatory for use by all executive agencies and by contractors and subcontractors in estimating, accumulating, and reporting costs in connection with the pricing and administration of, and settlement of disputes concerning, all negotiated prime contract and subcontract procurements with the Federal Government in excess of the amount set forth in section 3702(a)(1)(A) of title 10 as the amount is adjusted in accordance with applicable requirements of law.

(C) Nonapplication of standards.—Subparagraph (B) does not apply to—

(i) a contract or subcontract for the acquisition of a commercial product or commercial service;

(ii) a contract or subcontract where the price negotiated is based on a price set by law or regulation;

(iii) a firm, fixed-price contract or subcontract awarded on the basis of adequate price competition without submission of certified cost or pricing data; or

(iv) a contract or subcontract with a value of less than $7,500,000 if, when the contract or subcontract is entered into, the segment of the contractor or subcontractor that will perform the work has not been awarded at least one contract or subcontract with a value of more than $7,500,000 that is covered by the standards.

(2) Exemptions and waivers by board.—The Board may—

(A) exempt classes of contractors and subcontractors from the requirements of this chapter; and

(B) establish procedures for the waiver of the requirements of this chapter for individual contracts and subcontracts.

(3) Waiver by head of executive agency.—

(A) In general.—The head of an executive agency may waive the applicability of the cost accounting standards for a contract or subcontract with a value of less than $100,000,000 if that official determines in writing that the segment of the contractor or subcontractor that will perform the work—

(i) is primarily engaged in the sale of commercial products or commercial services; and

(ii) would not otherwise be subject to the cost accounting standards under this section.

(B) In exceptional circumstances.—The head of an executive agency may waive the applicability of the cost accounting standards for a contract or subcontract under exceptional circumstances when necessary to meet the needs of the agency. A determination to waive the applicability of the standards under this subparagraph shall be set forth in writing and shall include a statement of the circumstances justifying the waiver.

(C) Restriction on delegation of authority.—The head of an executive agency may not delegate the authority under subparagraph (A) or (B) to an official in the executive agency below the senior policymaking level in the executive agency.

(D) Contents of federal acquisition regulation.—The Federal Acquisition Regulation shall include—

(i) criteria for selecting an official to be delegated authority to grant waivers under subparagraph (A) or (B); and

(ii) the specific circumstances under which the waiver may be granted.

(E) Report.—The head of each executive agency shall report the waivers granted under subparagraphs (A) and (B) for that agency to the Board on an annual basis.

(c) Required Board Action for Prescribing Standards and Interpretations.—Before prescribing cost accounting standards and interpretations, the Board shall—

(1) take into account, after consultation and discussions with the Comptroller General, professional accounting organizations, contractors, and other interested parties—

(A) the probable costs of implementation, including any inflationary effects, compared to the probable benefits;

(B) the advantages, disadvantages, and improvements anticipated in the pricing and administration of, and settlement of disputes concerning, contracts; and

(C) the scope of, and alternatives available to, the action proposed to be taken;

(2) prepare and publish a report in the Federal Register on the issues reviewed under paragraph (1);

(3)(A) publish an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register to solicit comments on the report prepared under paragraph (2);

(B) provide all parties affected at least 60 days after publication to submit their views and comments; and

(C) during the 60-day period, consult with the Comptroller General and consider any recommendation the Comptroller General may make; and

(4) publish a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register and provide all parties affected at least 60 days after publication to submit their views and comments.

(d) Effective Dates.—Rules, regulations, cost accounting standards, and modifications thereof prescribed or amended under this chapter shall have the full force and effect of law, and shall become effective within 120 days after publication in the Federal Register in final form, unless the Board determines that a longer period is necessary. The Board shall determine implementation dates for contractors and subcontractors. The dates may not be later than the beginning of the second fiscal year of the contractor or subcontractor after the standard becomes effective.

(e) Accompanying Material.—Rules, regulations, cost accounting standards, and modifications thereof prescribed or amended under this chapter shall be accompanied by prefatory comments and by illustrations, if necessary.

(f) Implementing Regulations.—The Board shall prescribe regulations for the implementation of cost accounting standards prescribed or interpreted under this section. The regulations shall be incorporated into the Federal Acquisition Regulation and shall require contractors and subcontractors as a condition of contracting with the Federal Government to—

(1) disclose in writing their cost accounting practices, including methods of distinguishing direct costs from indirect costs and the basis used for allocating indirect costs; and

(2) agree to a contract price adjustment, with interest, for any increased costs paid to the contractor or subcontractor by the Federal Government because of a change in the contractor's or subcontractor's cost accounting practices or a failure by the contractor or subcontractor to comply with applicable cost accounting standards.

(g) Nonapplicability of Certain Sections of Title 5.—Functions exercised under this chapter are not subject to sections 551, 553 to 559, and 701 to 706 of title 5.

(Pub. L. 111–350, §3, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3696; Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title VIII, §820(a)(2), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2274; Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §836(b)(1), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1860; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1702(h)(3), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2158.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised 
Section
Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

1502(a)
41:422(f)(1), (3).
Pub. L. 93–400, §26(f), as added Pub. L. 100–679, §5(a), Nov. 17, 1988, 102 Stat. 4060; Pub. L. 103–355, title II, §2453, title VIII, §8301(d), Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3326, 3397; Pub. L. 104–106, title XLII, §4205, title XLIII, §4321(h)(4), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 656, 675; Pub. L 106–65, title VIII, §802(a), (b), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 701; Pub. L 109–163, div. A, title VIII, §822, Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3386.

1502(b)(1)
41:422(f)(2), (4).

1502(b)(2)
41:422(f)(4).

1502(b)(3)
41:422(f)(5).

1502(c)
41:422(g)(1).
Pub. L. 93–400, §26(g), (h)(1), as added Pub. L. 100–679, §5(a), Nov. 17, 1988, 102 Stat. 4061.

1502(d)
41:422(g)(2) (1st, 2d sentences).

1502(e)
41:422(g)(2) (last sentence).

1502(f)
41:422(h)(1).

1502(g)
41:422(g)(3).

In subsection (a)(1), the word "make" is omitted as being included in "prescribe".

In subsection (b)(2)(A), the word "categories" is omitted as being included in "classes".

In subsection (b)(3)(A)(ii), the words "as in effect on or after the effective date of this paragraph" are omitted as obsolete.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 117–81 substituted "section 3702(a)(1)(A)" for "section 2306a(a)(1)(A)(i)".

2018—Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 115–232, §836(b)(1)(A), substituted "commercial products or commercial services" for "commercial items".

Subsec. (b)(1)(C)(i). Pub. L. 115–232, §836(b)(1)(B), substituted "commercial product or commercial service" for "commercial item".

Subsec. (b)(3)(A)(i). Pub. L. 115–232, §836(b)(1)(C), substituted "commercial products or commercial services" for "commercial items".

2016—Subsec. (b)(3)(A). Pub. L. 114–328 substituted "$100,000,000" for "$15,000,000" in introductory provisions.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 115–232 effective Jan. 1, 2020, subject to a savings provision, see section 836(h) of Pub. L. 115–232, set out as an Effective Date of 2018 Amendment; Savings Provision note under section 453b of Title 6, Domestic Security.

Effective Date of 2016 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 114–328 effective Oct. 1, 2018, see section 820(d) of Pub. L. 114–328, set out as a note under section 1501 of this title.

Effective Date of Amendment by Pub. L. 106–65; Regulations; Implementation; Construction

Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title VIII, §802(c)–(e), (g)–(i), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 701, 702, provided that:

"(c) Regulation on Types of CAS Coverage.—(1) The Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy shall revise the rules and procedures prescribed pursuant to section 26(f) of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act ([former] 41 U.S.C. 422(f)) [now 41 U.S.C. 1502(a), (b)] to the extent necessary to increase the thresholds established in section 9903.201–2 of title 48 of the Code of Federal Regulations from $25,000,000 to $50,000,000.

"(2) Paragraph (1) requires only a change of the statement of a threshold condition in the regulation referred to by section number in that paragraph, and shall not be construed as—

"(A) a ratification or expression of approval of—

"(i) any aspect of the regulation; or

"(ii) the manner in which section 26 of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act [now 41 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.] is administered through the regulation; or

"(B) a requirement to apply the regulation.

"(d) Implementation.—The Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy shall ensure that this section [see Tables for classification] and the amendments made by this section are implemented in a manner that ensures that the Federal Government can recover costs, as appropriate, in a case in which noncompliance with cost accounting standards, or a change in the cost accounting system of a contractor segment or subcontractor segment that is not determined to be desirable by the Federal Government, results in a shift of costs from contracts that are not covered by the cost accounting standards to contracts that are covered by the cost accounting standards.

"(e) Implementation of Requirements for Revision of Regulations.—(1) Final regulations required by subsection (c) shall be issued not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 5, 1999].

"(2) Subsection (c) shall cease to be effective one year after the date on which final regulations issued in accordance with that subsection take effect.

"(g) Inapplicability of Standards to Certain Contracts.—The cost accounting standards issued pursuant to section 26(f) of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act ([former] 41 U.S.C. 422(f)) [now 41 U.S.C. 1502(a), (b)], as amended by this section, shall not apply during fiscal year 2000 with respect to a contract entered into under the authority provided in chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code (relating to health benefits for Federal employees).

"(h) Construction Regarding Certain Not-For-Profit Entities.—The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) [see Tables for classification] shall not be construed as modifying or superseding, nor as intended to impair or restrict, the applicability of the cost accounting standards described in section 26(f) of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act ([former] 41 U.S.C. 422(f)) [now 41 U.S.C. 1502(a), (b)] to—

"(1) any educational institution or federally funded research and development center that is associated with an educational institution in accordance with Office of Management and Budget Circular A–21, as in effect on January 1, 1999; or

"(2) any contract with a nonprofit entity that provides research and development and related products or services to the Department of Defense.

"(i) Effective Date.—The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) [see Tables for classification] shall take effect 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 5, 1999], and shall apply with respect to—

"(1) contracts that are entered into on or after such effective date; and

"(2) determinations made on or after such effective date regarding whether a segment of a contractor or subcontractor is subject to the cost accounting standards under section 26(f) of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act ([former] 41 U.S.C. 422(f)) [now 41 U.S.C. 1502(a), (b)], regardless of whether the contracts on which such determinations are made were entered into before, on, or after such date."
41 U.S.C. § 6703 (2024) — Title 41: PUBLIC CONTRACTS / Chapter 67 / Section 6703: Required contract terms
Required contract terms
Status: in_force

A contract, and bid specification for a contract, to which this chapter applies under section 6702 of this title shall contain the following terms:

(1) Minimum wage.—The contract and bid specification shall contain a provision specifying the minimum wage to be paid to each class of service employee engaged in the performance of the contract or any subcontract, as determined by the Secretary or the Secretary's authorized representative, in accordance with prevailing rates in the locality, or, where a collective-bargaining agreement covers the service employees, in accordance with the rates provided for in the agreement, including prospective wage increases provided for in the agreement as a result of arm's length negotiations. In any case the minimum wage may not be less than the minimum wage specified in section 6704 of this title.

(2) Fringe benefits.—The contract and bid specification shall contain a provision specifying the fringe benefits to be provided to each class of service employee engaged in the performance of the contract or any subcontract, as determined by the Secretary or the Secretary's authorized representative to be prevailing in the locality, or, where a collective-bargaining agreement covers the service employees, to be provided for under the agreement, including prospective fringe benefit increases provided for in the agreement as a result of arm's-length negotiations. The fringe benefits shall include medical or hospital care, pensions on retirement or death, compensation for injuries or illness resulting from occupational activity, or insurance to provide any of the foregoing, unemployment benefits, life insurance, disability and sickness insurance, accident insurance, vacation and holiday pay, costs of apprenticeship or other similar programs and other bona fide fringe benefits not otherwise required by Federal, State, or local law to be provided by the contractor or subcontractor. The obligation under this paragraph may be discharged by furnishing any equivalent combinations of fringe benefits or by making equivalent or differential payments in cash under regulations established by the Secretary.

(3) Working conditions.—The contract and bid specification shall contain a provision specifying that no part of the services covered by this chapter may be performed in buildings or surroundings or under working conditions, provided by or under the control or supervision of the contractor or any subcontractor, which are unsanitary or hazardous or dangerous to the health or safety of service employees engaged to provide the services.

(4) Notice.—The contract and bid specification shall contain a provision specifying that on the date a service employee begins work on a contract to which this chapter applies, the contractor or subcontractor will deliver to the employee a notice of the compensation required under paragraphs (1) and (2), on a form prepared by the Federal agency, or will post a notice of the required compensation in a prominent place at the worksite.

(5) General schedule pay rates and prevailing rate systems.—The contract and bid specification shall contain a statement of the rates that would be paid by the Federal agency to each class of service employee if section 5332 or 5341 of title 5 were applicable to them. The Secretary shall give due consideration to these rates in making the wage and fringe benefit determinations specified in this section.

(Pub. L. 111–350, §3, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3812.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised 
Section
Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

6703
41:351(a) (words before par. (1) related to required contract terms), (1)–(5).
Pub. L. 89–286, §2(a) (words before par. (1) related to required contract terms), (1)–(5), Oct. 22, 1965, 79 Stat. 1034; Pub. L. 92–473, §§1, 2, Oct. 9, 1972, 86 Stat. 789; Pub. L. 94–489, §2, Oct. 13, 1976, 90 Stat. 2358.

Executive Documents

Executive Order No. 13495

Ex. Ord. No. 13495, Jan. 30, 2009, 74 F.R. 6103, which provided for nondisplacement of qualified workers under a successor service contract upon the expiration of the predecessor contract, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13897, §1, Oct. 31, 2019, 84 F.R. 59709, formerly set out below.

Executive Order No. 13897

Ex. Ord. No. 13897, Oct. 31, 2019, 84 F.R. 59709, which related to the revocation of Ex. Ord. No. 13495, formerly set out above, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 14055, §9, Nov. 18, 2021, 86 F.R. 66400, set out below.

Ex. Ord. No. 14055. Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers Under Service Contracts

Ex. Ord. No. 14055, Nov. 18, 2021, 86 F.R. 66397, provided:

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act, [see] 40 U.S.C. 101 et seq. [and 41 U.S.C. 101 et seq.], and in order to promote economy and efficiency in procurement, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Policy. When a service contract expires, and a follow-on contract is awarded for the same or similar services, the Federal Government's procurement interests in economy and efficiency are best served when the successor contractor or subcontractor hires the predecessor's employees, thus avoiding displacement of these employees. Using a carryover work force reduces disruption in the delivery of services during the period of transition between contractors, maintains physical and information security, and provides the Federal Government with the benefits of an experienced and well-trained work force that is familiar with the Federal Government's personnel, facilities, and requirements. These same benefits are also often realized when a successor contractor or subcontractor performs the same or similar contract work at the same location where the predecessor contract was performed.

Sec. 2. Definitions.

(a) "Service contract" or "contract" means any contract, contract-like instrument, or subcontract for services entered into by the Federal Government or its contractors that is covered by the Service Contract Act of 1965, as amended, [see] 41 U.S.C. 6701 et seq., and its implementing regulations.

(b) "Employee" means a service employee as defined in the Service Contract Act of 1965, as amended, 41 U.S.C. 6701(3).

(c) "Agency" means an executive department or agency, including an independent establishment subject to the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act, 40 U.S.C. 102(4)(A).

Sec. 3. Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers. (a) Each agency shall, to the extent permitted by law, ensure that service contracts and subcontracts that succeed a contract for performance of the same or similar work, and solicitations for such contracts and subcontracts, include the following clause:

"Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers: (a) The contractor and its subcontractors shall, except as otherwise provided herein, in good faith offer service employees (as defined in the Service Contract Act of 1965, as amended, 41 U.S.C. 6701(3)) employed under the predecessor contract and its subcontracts whose employment would be terminated as a result of the award of this contract or the expiration of the contract under which the employees were hired, a right of first refusal of employment under this contract in positions for which those employees are qualified. The contractor and its subcontractors shall determine the number of employees necessary for efficient performance of this contract and may elect to employ more or fewer employees than the predecessor contractor employed in connection with performance of the work solely on the basis of that determination. Except as provided in paragraph (b), there shall be no employment opening under this contract or subcontract, and the contractor and any subcontractors shall not offer employment under this contract to any person prior to having complied fully with the obligations described in this clause. The contractor and its subcontractors shall make an express offer of employment to each employee as provided herein and shall state the time within which the employee must accept such offer, but in no case shall the period within which the employee must accept the offer of employment be less than 10 business days.

"(b) Notwithstanding the obligation under paragraph (a) above, the contractor and any subcontractors (1) are not required to offer a right of first refusal to any employee(s) of the predecessor contractor who are not service employees within the meaning of the Service Contract Act of 1965, as amended, 41 U.S.C. 6701(3), and (2) are not required to offer a right of first refusal to any employee(s) of the predecessor contractor for whom the contractor or any of its subcontractors reasonably believes, based on reliable evidence of the particular employees' past performance, that there would be just cause to discharge the employee(s) if employed by the contractor or any subcontractors.

"(c) The contractor shall, not less than 10 business days before the earlier of the completion of this contract or of its work on this contract, furnish the Contracting Officer a certified list of the names of all service employees working under this contract and its subcontracts during the last month of contract performance. The list shall also contain anniversary dates of employment of each service employee under this contract and its predecessor contracts either with the current or predecessor contractors or their subcontractors. The Contracting Officer shall provide the list to the successor contractor, and the list shall be provided on request to employees or their representatives, consistent with the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 552a, and other applicable law.

"(d) If it is determined, pursuant to regulations issued by the Secretary of Labor (Secretary), that the contractor or its subcontractors are not in compliance with the requirements of this clause or any regulation or order of the Secretary, the Secretary may impose appropriate sanctions against the contractor or its subcontractors, as provided in Executive Order (No.) ————, the regulations implementing that order, and relevant orders of the Secretary, or as otherwise provided by law.

"(e) In every subcontract entered into in order to perform services under this contract, the contractor will include provisions that ensure that each subcontractor will honor the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) with respect to the employees of a predecessor subcontractor or subcontractors working under this contract, as well as of a predecessor contractor and its subcontractors. The subcontract shall also include provisions to ensure that the subcontractor will provide the contractor with the information about the employees of the subcontractor needed by the contractor to comply with paragraph (c) of this clause. The contractor shall take such action with respect to any such subcontract as may be directed by the Secretary as a means of enforcing such provisions, including the imposition of sanctions for noncompliance: provided, however, that if the contractor, as a result of such direction, becomes involved in litigation with a subcontractor, or is threatened with such involvement, the contractor may request that the United States enter into such litigation to protect the interests of the United States."

(b) Nothing in this order shall be construed to require or recommend that agencies, contractors, or subcontractors pay the relocation costs of employees who exercise their right to work for a successor contractor or subcontractor pursuant to this order.

Sec. 4. Location Continuity. (a) When an agency prepares a solicitation for a service contract that succeeds a contract for performance of the same or similar work, the agency shall consider whether performance of the work in the same locality or localities in which the contract is currently being performed is reasonably necessary to ensure economical and efficient provision of services.

(b) If an agency determines that performance of the contract in the same locality or localities is reasonably necessary to ensure economical and efficient provision of services, then the agency shall, to the extent consistent with law, include a requirement or preference in the solicitation for the successor contract that it be performed in the same locality or localities.

Sec. 5. Exclusions. This order shall not apply to:

(a) contracts under the simplified acquisition threshold as defined in 41 U.S.C. 134; or

(b) employees who were hired to work under a Federal service contract and one or more nonfederal service contracts as part of a single job, provided that the employees were not deployed in a manner that was designed to avoid the purposes of this order.

Sec. 6. Exceptions Authorized by Agencies. (a) A senior official within an agency may grant an exception from the requirements of section 3 of this order for a particular contract by, no later than the solicitation date, providing a specific written explanation of why at least one of the following circumstances exists with respect to that contract:

(i) Adhering to the requirements of section 3 of this order would not advance the Federal Government's interests in achieving economy and efficiency in Federal procurement;

(ii) Based on a market analysis, adhering to the requirements of section 3 of this order would:

(A) substantially reduce the number of potential bidders so as to frustrate full and open competition; and

(B) not be reasonably tailored to the agency's needs for the contract; or

(iii) Adhering to the requirements of section 3 of this order would otherwise be inconsistent with statutes, regulations, Executive Orders, or Presidential Memoranda.

(b) To the extent permitted by law and consistent with national security and executive branch confidentiality interests, each agency shall publish, on a centralized public website, descriptions of the exceptions it has granted under this section, and ensure that the contractor notifies affected workers and their collective bargaining representatives, if any, in writing of the agency's determination to grant an exception.

(c) On a quarterly basis, each agency shall report to the Office of Management and Budget descriptions of the exceptions granted under this section.

Sec. 7. Regulations and Implementation. (a) The Secretary of Labor (Secretary) shall, to the extent consistent with law, issue final regulations within 180 days of the date of this order [Nov. 18, 2021] to implement the requirements of this order, other than those specified in sections 6(b) and (c) of this order.

(b) Within 60 days of the Secretary issuing final regulations, the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council (FAR Council), to the extent consistent with law, shall amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation to provide for inclusion in Federal procurement solicitations and contracts subject to this order the clause described in section 3 of this order.

(c) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall, to the extent consistent with law, issue guidance to implement section 6(c) of this order.

Sec. 8. Enforcement. (a) The Secretary shall have the authority to investigate potential violations of, and obtain compliance with, this order. In such proceedings, the Secretary shall have the authority to issue final orders prescribing appropriate sanctions and remedies, including, but not limited to, orders requiring employment and payment of wages lost. The Secretary may also provide that, if a contractor or subcontractor has failed to comply with any order of the Secretary or has committed willful violations of this order or the regulations issued pursuant thereto, the contractor or subcontractor, and its responsible officers, and any firm in which the contractor or subcontractor has a substantial interest, may be ineligible to be awarded any contract of the United States for a period of up to 3 years. Neither an order for debarment of any contractor or subcontractor from further Federal Government contracts under this section nor the inclusion of a contractor or subcontractor on a published list of noncomplying contractors shall be carried out without affording the contractor or subcontractor an opportunity to present information and argument in opposition to the proposed debarment or inclusion on the list.

(b) This order creates no rights under the Contract Disputes Act, 41 U.S.C. 7101 et seq., and disputes regarding the requirements of the contract clause prescribed by section 3 of this order, to the extent permitted by law, shall be disposed of only as provided by the Secretary in regulations issued under this order.

Sec. 9. Revocation. Executive Order 13897 of October 31, 2019 (Improving Federal Contractor Operations by Revoking Executive Order 13495) [formerly set out above], is revoked. Executive Order 13495 of January 30, 2009 (Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers Under Service Contracts) [formerly set out above], remains revoked.

Sec. 10. Severability. If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision of this order to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and its application to any other person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby.

Sec. 11. Effective Date. This order shall become effective immediately and shall apply to solicitations issued on or after the effective date of the final regulations issued by the FAR Council under section 7 of this order. For solicitations issued between the date of this order and the date of the action taken by the FAR Council under section 7 of this order, or solicitations that have already been issued and are outstanding as of the date of this order, agencies are strongly encouraged, to the extent permitted by law, to include in the relevant solicitation the contract clause described in section 3 of this order.

Sec. 12. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

J.R. Biden, Jr.
41 U.S.C. § 1907 (2024) — Title 41: PUBLIC CONTRACTS / Chapter 19 / Section 1907: List of laws inapplicable to procurements of commercially available off-the-shelf items
List of laws inapplicable to procurements of commercially available off-the-shelf items
Status: in_force

(a) Inclusion in Federal Acquisition Regulation.—

(1) In general.—The Federal Acquisition Regulation shall include a list of provisions of law that are inapplicable to contracts for the procurement of commercially available off-the-shelf items. A provision of law properly included on the list pursuant to paragraph (2) does not apply to contracts for the procurement of commercially available off-the-shelf items. This section does not render a provision of law not included on the list inapplicable to contracts for the procurement of commercially available off-the-shelf items.

(2) Laws to be included.—A provision of law described in subsection (b) shall be included on the list of inapplicable provisions of law required by paragraph (1) unless the Administrator makes a written determination that it would not be in the best interest of the Federal Government to exempt contracts for the procurement of commercially available off-the-shelf items from the applicability of the provision.

(3) Other authorities or responsibilities not affected.—This section does not modify, supersede, impair, or restrict authorities or responsibilities under—

(A) section 15 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 644); or

(B) bid protest procedures developed under the authority of—

(i) subchapter V of chapter 35 of title 31;

(ii) section 3308 of title 10; or

(iii) sections 3706 and 3707 of this title.

(b) Covered Law.—Except as provided in subsection (a)(3), a provision of law referred to in subsection (a)(1) is a provision of law that the Administrator determines imposes Federal Government-unique policies, procedures, requirements, or restrictions for the procurement of property or services on persons whom the Federal Government has awarded contracts for the procurement of commercially available off-the-shelf items, except for a provision of law that—

(1) provides for criminal or civil penalties; or

(2) specifically refers to this section and provides that, notwithstanding this section, it shall be applicable to contracts for the procurement of commercially available off-the-shelf items.

(Pub. L. 111–350, §3, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3724;Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1702(h)(8), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2158.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised 
Section
Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

1907
41:431(a), (b).
Pub. L. 93–400, §35(a), (b), as added Pub. L. 104–106, title XLII, §4203(a), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 654; Pub. L. 105–85, title X, §1073(g)(2)(C), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1906.

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (a)(3)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 117–81 substituted "section 3308" for "section 2305(e) and (f)".
41 U.S.C. § 4711 (2024) — Title 41: PUBLIC CONTRACTS / Chapter 47 / Section 4711: Linking of award and incentive fees to acquisition outcomes
Linking of award and incentive fees to acquisition outcomes
Status: in_force

(a) Definition.—In this section, the term "executive agency" has the same meaning given in section 133 of this title.

(b) Guidance for Executive Agencies on Linking of Award and Incentive Fees to Acquisition Outcomes.—The Federal Acquisition Regulation shall provide executive agencies other than the Department of Defense with instructions, including definitions, on the appropriate use of award and incentive fees in Federal acquisition programs.

(c) Elements.—The regulations under subsection (b) shall—

(1) ensure that all new contracts using award fees link the fees to acquisition outcomes (which shall be defined in terms of program cost, schedule, and performance);

(2) establish standards for identifying the appropriate level of officials authorized to approve the use of award and incentive fees in new contracts;

(3) provide guidance on the circumstances in which contractor performance may be judged to be "excellent" or "superior" and the percentage of the available award fee which contractors should be paid for the performance;

(4) establish standards for determining the percentage of the available award fee, if any, which contractors should be paid for performance that is judged to be "acceptable", "average", "expected", "good", or "satisfactory";

(5) ensure that no award fee may be paid for contractor performance that is judged to be below satisfactory performance or performance that does not meet the basic requirements of the contract;

(6) provide specific direction on the circumstances, if any, in which it may be appropriate to roll over award fees that are not earned in one award fee period to a subsequent award fee period or periods;

(7) ensure consistent use of guidelines and definitions relating to award and incentive fees across the Federal Government;

(8) ensure that each executive agency—

(A) collects relevant data on award and incentive fees paid to contractors; and

(B) has mechanisms in place to evaluate the data on a regular basis;

(9) include performance measures to evaluate the effectiveness of award and incentive fees as a tool for improving contractor performance and achieving desired program outcomes; and

(10) provide mechanisms for sharing proven incentive strategies for the acquisition of different types of products and services among contracting and program management officials.

(d) Guidance for Department of Defense.—The Department of Defense shall continue to be subject to guidance on award and incentive fees issued by the Secretary of Defense pursuant to section 814 of the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 (Public Law 109–364, 10 U.S.C. 2302 note).

(Pub. L. 111–350, §3, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3800.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised 
Section
Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

4711
41:251 note.
Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title VIII, §867, Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4551.

In subsection (b), the words "Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act" are omitted because of section 6(f) of the bill. The words "shall provide" are substituted for "shall be amended to provide" to reflect the permanence of the provision.
41 U.S.C. § 6701 (2024) — Title 41: PUBLIC CONTRACTS / Chapter 67 / Section 6701: Definitions
Definitions
Status: in_force

In this chapter:

(1) Compensation.—The term "compensation" means any of the payments or fringe benefits described in section 6703 of this title.

(2) Secretary.—The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Labor.

(3) Service employee.—The term "service employee"—

(A) means an individual engaged in the performance of a contract made by the Federal Government and not exempted under section 6702(b) of this title, whether negotiated or advertised, the principal purpose of which is to furnish services in the United States;

(B) includes an individual without regard to any contractual relationship alleged to exist between the individual and a contractor or subcontractor; but

(C) does not include an individual employed in a bona fide executive, administrative, or professional capacity, as those terms are defined in part 541 of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations.

(4) United states.—The term "United States"—

(A) includes any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the outer Continental Shelf as defined in the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. §1331 et seq.), American Samoa, Guam, Wake Island, and Johnston Island; but

(B) does not include any other territory under the jurisdiction of the United States or any United States base or possession within a foreign country.

(Pub. L. 111–350, §3, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3811.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised 
Section
Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

6701
41:357.
Pub. L. 89–286, §8, Oct. 22, 1965, 79 Stat. 1036; Pub. L. 93–57, §1, July 6, 1973, 87 Stat. 140; Pub. L. 94–489, §3, Oct. 13, 1976, 90 Stat. 2358.

In paragraph (3), the word "individual" is substituted for "person" because of the definition of "person" in 1:1. The words "contract made by the Federal Government" are substituted for "contract entered into by the United States" for consistency in the revised title. The words "as of July 30, 1976, and any subsequent revision of those regulations" are omitted as obsolete.

In paragraph (4)(A), the words "the outer Continental Shelf" are substituted for "Outer Continental Shelf lands" for consistency with the definition in 43:1331 and for consistency with the more common usage generally found in subchapter III of chapter 29 of title 43. The words "Eniwetok Atoll, Kwajalein Atoll" are omitted because they are part of the Marshall Islands and therefore no longer part of the United States. The words "Canton Island" are omitted because it is part of Kiribati and therefore no longer part of the United States.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, referred to in par. (4)(A), is act Aug. 7, 1953, ch. 345, 67 Stat. 462, which is classified generally to subchapter III (§1331 et seq.) of chapter 29 of Title 43, Public Lands. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1301 of Title 43 and Tables.
41 U.S.C. § 4309 (2024) — Title 41: PUBLIC CONTRACTS / Chapter 43 / Section 4309: Burden of proof on contractor
Burden of proof on contractor
Status: in_force

In a proceeding before a board of contract appeals, the United States Court of Federal Claims, or any other Federal court in which the reasonableness of indirect costs for which a contractor seeks reimbursement from the Federal Government is in issue, the burden of proof is on the contractor to establish that those costs are reasonable.

(Pub. L. 111–350, §3, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3788.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised 
Section
Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

4309
41:256(j).
June 30, 1949, ch. 288, title III, §306(j), as added Pub. L. 100–700, §8(a)(1), Nov. 19, 1988, 102 Stat. 4634; Pub. L. 103–355, title II, §2151, Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3313.
41 U.S.C. § 1126 (2024) — Title 41: PUBLIC CONTRACTS / Chapter 11 / Subchapter II / Section 1126: Policy regarding consideration of contractor past performance
Policy regarding consideration of contractor past performance
Status: in_force

(a) Guidance.—The Administrator shall prescribe for executive agencies guidance regarding consideration of the past contract performance of offerors in awarding contracts. The guidance shall include—

(1) standards for evaluating past performance with respect to cost (when appropriate), schedule, compliance with technical or functional specifications, and other relevant performance factors that facilitate consistent and fair evaluation by all executive agencies;

(2) policies for the collection and maintenance of information on past contract performance that, to the maximum extent practicable, facilitate automated collection, maintenance, and dissemination of information and provide for ease of collection, maintenance, and dissemination of information by other methods, as necessary;

(3) policies for ensuring that—

(A) offerors are afforded an opportunity to submit relevant information on past contract performance, including performance under contracts entered into by the executive agency concerned, other departments and agencies of the Federal Government, agencies of State and local governments, and commercial customers; and

(B) the information submitted by offerors is considered; and

(4) the period for which information on past performance of offerors may be maintained and considered.

(b) Information Not Available.—If there is no information on past contract performance of an offeror or the information on past contract performance is not available, the offeror may not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably on the factor of past contract performance.

(Pub. L. 111–350, §3, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3689.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised 
Section
Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

1126(a)
41:405(j)(1).
Pub. L. 93–400, §6(j), as added Pub. L. 103–355, title I, §1091(b)(2), Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3272.

1126(b)
41:405(j)(2).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Inclusion of Data on Contractor Performance in Past Performance Databases for Executive Agency Source Selection Decisions

Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title VIII, §853, Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 1856, provided that:

"(a) Strategy Required.—

"(1) In general.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 2, 2013], the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council shall develop a strategy for ensuring that timely, accurate, and complete information on contractor performance is included in past performance databases used by executive agencies for making source selection decisions.

"(2) Consultation with usdatl.—In developing the strategy required by this subsection, the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council shall consult with the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics to ensure that the strategy is, to the extent practicable, consistent with the strategy developed by the Under Secretary pursuant to section 806 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (Public Law 112–81; 125 Stat. 1487; 10 U.S.C. 2302 note).

"(b) Elements.—The strategy required by subsection (a) shall, at a minimum—

"(1) establish standards for the timeliness and completeness of past performance submissions for purposes of databases described in subsection (a);

"(2) assign responsibility and management accountability for the completeness of past performance submissions for such purposes; and

"(3) ensure that past performance submissions for such purposes are consistent with award fee evaluations in cases where such evaluations have been conducted.

"(c) Contractor Comments.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 2, 2013], the Federal Acquisition Regulation shall be revised to require the following:

"(1) That affected contractors are provided, in a timely manner, information on contractor performance to be included in past performance databases in accordance with subsection (a).

"(2) That such contractors are afforded up to 14 calendar days, from the date of delivery of the information provided in accordance with paragraph (1), to submit comments, rebuttals, or additional information pertaining to past performance for inclusion in such databases.

"(3) That agency evaluations of contractor past performance, including any comments, rebuttals, or additional information submitted under paragraph (2), are included in the relevant past performance database not later than the date that is 14 days after the date of delivery of the information provided in accordance with paragraph (1).

"(d) Construction.—Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a contractor from submitting comments, rebuttals, or additional information pertaining to past performance after the period described in subsection (c)(2) has elapsed or to prohibit a contractor from challenging a past performance evaluation in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, or procedures.

"(e) Comptroller General Report.—Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 2, 2013], the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the actions taken by the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council pursuant to this section, including an assessment of the following:

"(1) The extent to which the strategy required by subsection (a) is consistent with the strategy developed by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics as described in subsection (a)(2).

"(2) The extent to which the actions of the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council pursuant to this section have otherwise achieved the objectives of this section.

"(f) Definitions.—In this section:

"(1) The term 'appropriate committees of Congress' means—

"(A) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and

"(B) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform [now Committee on Oversight and Accountability], and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

"(2) The term 'executive agency' has the meaning given that term in section 133 of title 41, United States Code, except that the term excludes the Department of Defense and the military departments.

"(3) The term 'Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council' means the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council under section 1302(a) of title 41, United States Code."

Congressional Findings Regarding Consideration of Past Contract Performance

Pub. L. 103–355, title I, §1091(b)(1), Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3272, provided that: "Congress makes the following findings:

"(A) Past contract performance of an offeror is one of the relevant factors that a contracting official of an executive agency should consider in awarding a contract.

"(B) It is appropriate for a contracting official to consider past contract performance of an offeror as an indicator of the likelihood that the offeror will successfully perform a contract to be awarded by that official."
41 U.S.C. § 3309 (2024) — Title 41: PUBLIC CONTRACTS / Chapter 33 / Section 3309: Design-build selection procedures
Design-build selection procedures
Status: in_force

(a) Authorization.—Unless the traditional acquisition approach of design-bid-build established under sections 1101 to 1104 of title 40 or another acquisition procedure authorized by law is used, the head of an executive agency shall use the two-phase selection procedures authorized in this section for entering into a contract for the design and construction of a public building, facility, or work when a determination is made under subsection (b) that the procedures are appropriate for use.

(b) Criteria for Use.—A contracting officer shall make a determination whether two-phase selection procedures are appropriate for use for entering into a contract for the design and construction of a public building, facility, or work when—

(1) the contracting officer anticipates that 3 or more offers will be received for the contract;

(2) design work must be performed before an offeror can develop a price or cost proposal for the contract;

(3) the offeror will incur a substantial amount of expense in preparing the offer; and

(4) the contracting officer has considered information such as the following:

(A) The extent to which the project requirements have been adequately defined.

(B) The time constraints for delivery of the project.

(C) The capability and experience of potential contractors.

(D) The suitability of the project for use of the two-phase selection procedures.

(E) The capability of the agency to manage the two-phase selection process.

(F) Other criteria established by the agency.

(c) Procedures Described.—Two-phase selection procedures consist of the following:

(1) Development of scope of work statement.—The agency develops, either in-house or by contract, a scope of work statement for inclusion in the solicitation that defines the project and provides prospective offerors with sufficient information regarding the Federal Government's requirements (which may include criteria and preliminary design, budget parameters, and schedule or delivery requirements) to enable the offerors to submit proposals that meet the Federal Government's needs. If the agency contracts for development of the scope of work statement, the agency shall contract for architectural and engineering services as defined by and in accordance with sections 1101 to 1104 of title 40.

(2) Solicitation of phase-one proposals.—The contracting officer solicits phase-one proposals that—

(A) include information on the offeror's—

(i) technical approach; and

(ii) technical qualifications; and

(B) do not include—

(i) detailed design information; or

(ii) cost or price information.

(3) Evaluation factors.—The evaluation factors to be used in evaluating phase-one proposals are stated in the solicitation and include specialized experience and technical competence, capability to perform, past performance of the offeror's team (including the architect-engineer and construction members of the team), and other appropriate factors, except that cost-related or price-related evaluation factors are not permitted. Each solicitation establishes the relative importance assigned to the evaluation factors and subfactors that must be considered in the evaluation of phase-one proposals. The agency evaluates phase-one proposals on the basis of the phase-one evaluation factors set forth in the solicitation.

(4) Selection by contracting officer.—

(A) Number of offerors selected and what is to be evaluated.—The contracting officer selects as the most highly qualified the number of offerors specified in the solicitation to provide the property or services under the contract and requests the selected offerors to submit phase-two competitive proposals that include technical proposals and cost or price information. Each solicitation establishes with respect to phase two—

(i) the technical submission for the proposal, including design concepts or proposed solutions to requirements addressed within the scope of work, or both; and

(ii) the evaluation factors and subfactors, including cost or price, that must be considered in the evaluations of proposals in accordance with subsections (b) to (d) of section 3306 of this title.

(B) Separate evaluations.—The contracting officer separately evaluates the submissions described in clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A).

(5) Awarding of contract.—The agency awards the contract in accordance with chapter 37 of this title.

(d) Solicitation To State Number of Offerors To Be Selected for Phase-Two Requests for Competitive Proposals.—A solicitation issued pursuant to the procedures described in subsection (c) shall state the maximum number of offerors that are to be selected to submit competitive proposals pursuant to subsection (c)(4). The maximum number specified in the solicitation shall not exceed 5 unless the agency determines with respect to an individual solicitation that a specified number greater than 5 is in the Federal Government's interest and is consistent with the purposes and objectives of the two-phase selection process.

(e) Requirement for Guidance and Regulations.—The Federal Acquisition Regulation shall include guidance—

(1) regarding the factors that may be considered in determining whether the two-phase contracting procedures authorized by subsection (a) are appropriate for use in individual contracting situations;

(2) regarding the factors that may be used in selecting contractors; and

(3) providing for a uniform approach to be used Government-wide.

(Pub. L. 111–350, §3, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3759.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised 
Section
Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

3309
41:253m.
June 30, 1949, ch. 288, title III, §303M, as added Pub. L. 104–106, div. D, title XLI, §4105(b)(1), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 647.

In subsections (a) and (c)(1), the words "sections 1101 to 1104 of title 40" are substituted for "the Brooks Architect-Engineers Act (title IX of this Act)" and "the Brooks Architect-Engineers Act (40 U.S.C. 541 et seq.)", respectively, because of section 5(c) of Public Law 107–217 (40 U.S.C. note prec. 101) and for consistency with title 40.

In subsection (c)(5), the reference to section 253b of this title is limited to chapter 37 of the revised title for clarity.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Prohibition on Use of a Reverse Auction for the Award of a Contract for Complex, Specialized, or Substantial Design and Construction Services

Pub. L. 116–260, div. U, title IV, §402, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2292, as amended by Pub. L. 117–28, §2, July 26, 2021, 135 Stat. 304, provided that:

"(a) Findings.—Congress makes the following findings:

"(1) In contrast to a traditional auction in which the buyers bid up the price, sellers bid down the price in a reverse auction.

"(2) Reverse auctions, while providing value for the vast majority of Federal acquisitions, including certain construction-related acquisitions, are limited in value for complex, specialized, or substantial design and construction services.

"(b) Reverse Auction Defined.—In this section, the term 'reverse auction' means, with respect to any procurement by an executive agency, a real-time auction generally conducted through an electronic medium among two or more offerors who compete by submitting bids for a supply or service contract, or a delivery order, task order, or purchase order under the contract, with the ability to submit revised lower bids at any time before the closing of the auction.

"(c) Prohibition.—

"(1) In general.—Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this section [July 26, 2021], the Federal Acquisition Regulation shall be amended to prohibit the use of reverse auctions for awarding contracts for complex, specialized, or substantial design and construction services.

"(2) Applicability to acquisitions above the simplified acquisition threshold.—The prohibition on reverse auctions for complex, specialized, or substantial design and construction services shall apply only to acquisitions above the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT) for construction and design services pursuant to part 36 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

"(d) Rulemaking for Complex, Specialized, or Substantial Services.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council shall promulgate a definition of complex, specialized, or substantial design and construction services, which shall include—

"(1) site planning and landscape design;

"(2) architectural and engineering services (as defined in section 1102 of title 40, United States Code);

"(3) interior design;

"(4) performance of substantial construction work for facility, infrastructure, and environmental restoration projects; and

"(5) construction or substantial alteration of public buildings or public works.

"(e) Rule of Construction.—Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict the use of reverse auctions for the procurement of other goods and services except as specifically provided for under this section.

"(f) Report.—Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this section, the Administrator of General Services shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Oversight and Reform [now Committee on Oversight and Accountability] of the House of Representatives a report on the effectiveness of this section in delivering complex, specialized, or substantial design and construction services to the United States Government."
41 U.S.C. § 1504 (2024) — Title 41: PUBLIC CONTRACTS / Chapter 15 / Section 1504: Effect on other standards and regulations
Effect on other standards and regulations
Status: in_force

(a) Previously Existing Standards.—All cost accounting standards, waivers, exemptions, interpretations, modifications, rules, and regulations prescribed by the Cost Accounting Standards Board under section 719 of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. App. 2168)— 1

(1) remain in effect until amended, superseded, or rescinded by the Board under this chapter; and

(2) are subject to the provisions of this division in the same manner as if prescribed by the Board under this division.

(b) Inconsistent Agency Regulations.—To ensure that a regulation or proposed regulation of an executive agency is not inconsistent with a cost accounting standard prescribed or amended under this chapter, the Administrator, under the authority in sections 1121, 1122(a) to (c)(1), 1125, 1126, 1130, 1131, and 2305 of this title, shall rescind or deny the promulgation of the inconsistent regulation or proposed regulation and take other appropriate action authorized under sections 1121, 1122(a) to (c)(1), 1125, 1126, 1130, 1131, and 2305.

(c) Costs Not Subject to Different Standards.—Costs that are the subject of cost accounting standards prescribed under this chapter are not subject to regulations established by another executive agency that differ from those standards with respect to the measurement, assignment, and allocation of those costs.

(Pub. L. 111–350, §3, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3699.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised 
Section
Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

1504(a)
41:422(j)(1), (2).
Pub. L. 93–400, §26(j), as added Pub. L. 100–679, §5(a), Nov. 17, 1988, 102 Stat. 4062.

1504(b)
41:422(j)(3).

1504(c)
41:422(j)(4).

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 719 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, referred to in subsec. (a), is section 719 of act Sept. 8, 1950, ch. 932, title VII, as added Pub. L. 91–379, title I, §103, Aug. 15, 1970, 84 Stat. 796, which was classified to section 2168 of the former Appendix to Title 50, War and National Defense, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 100–679, §5(b), Nov. 17, 1988, 102 Stat. 4063.

1 See References in Text note below.
41 U.S.C. § 1901 (2024) — Title 41: PUBLIC CONTRACTS / Chapter 19 / Section 1901: Simplified acquisition procedures
Simplified acquisition procedures
Status: in_force

(a) When Procedures Are To Be Used.—To promote efficiency and economy in contracting and to avoid unnecessary burdens for agencies and contractors, the Federal Acquisition Regulation shall provide for special simplified procedures for purchases of property and services for amounts—

(1) not greater than the simplified acquisition threshold; and

(2) greater than the simplified acquisition threshold but not greater than $5,000,000 for which the contracting officer reasonably expects, based on the nature of the property or services sought and on market research, that offers will include only commercial products or commercial services.

(b) Prohibition on Dividing Purchases.—A proposed purchase or contract for an amount above the simplified acquisition threshold may not be divided into several purchases or contracts for lesser amounts to use the simplified acquisition procedures required by subsection (a).

(c) Promotion of Competition Required.—When using simplified acquisition procedures, the head of an executive agency shall promote competition to the maximum extent practicable.

(d) Consideration of Offers Timely Received.—The simplified acquisition procedures contained in the Federal Acquisition Regulation shall include a requirement that a contracting officer consider each responsive offer timely received from an eligible offeror.

(e) Special Rules for Commercial Products and Commercial Services.—The Federal Acquisition Regulation shall provide that an executive agency using special simplified procedures to purchase commercial products or commercial services—

(1) shall publish a notice in accordance with section 1708 of this title and, as provided in section 1708(c)(4) of this title, permit all responsible sources to submit a bid, proposal, or quotation (as appropriate) that the agency shall consider;

(2) may not conduct the purchase on a sole source basis unless the need to do so is justified in writing and approved in accordance with section 3204(e) of title 10 or section 3304(e) of this title, as applicable; and

(3) shall include in the contract file a written description of the procedures used in awarding the contract and the number of offers received.

(Pub. L. 111–350, §3, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3719; Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §836(b)(4), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1861; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1702(h)(6), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2158.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised 
Section
Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

1901
41:427.
Pub. L. 93–400, §31, as added Pub. L. 103–355, title IV, §4201(a), Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3342; Pub. L. 104–106, title XLII, §4202(c), title XLIII, §4302(b), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 653, 658, as amended Pub. L. 104–201, title X, §1074(b)(6) (less effective date), Sept. 23, 1996, 110 Stat. 2660; Pub. L. 105–85, title VIII, §850(d), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1848.

Section 31(e) of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 427(e)) is omitted as obsolete.

In subsection (e)(2), the reference to section 253 of this title is limited to section 3303(e) of the revised title for clarity.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 117–81 substituted "section 3204(e)" for "section 2304(f)".

2018—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 115–232, §836(b)(4)(A), substituted "commercial products or commercial services" for "commercial items".

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 115–232, §836(b)(4)(B), substituted "Commercial Products and Commercial Services" for "Commercial Items" in heading and, in introductory provisions, substituted "commercial products or commercial services" for "commercial items".

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 115–232 effective Jan. 1, 2020, subject to a savings provision, see section 836(h) of Pub. L. 115–232, set out as an Effective Date of 2018 Amendment; Savings Provision note under section 453b of Title 6, Domestic Security.

Staturory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Procurement Through Commercial E-Commerce Portals

Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title VIII, §846, Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1483, as amended by Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §838(a), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1875; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title VIII, §853, title XVII, §1702(i)(2), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1848, 2159, provided that:

"(a) Establishment of Program.—The Administrator shall establish a program to procure commercial products through commercial e-commerce portals for purposes of enhancing competition, expediting procurement, enabling market research, and ensuring reasonable pricing of commercial products. The Administrator shall carry out the program in accordance with this section, through multiple contracts with multiple commercial e-commerce portal providers, and shall design the program to be implemented in phases with the objective of enabling Government-wide use of such portals.

"(b) Use of Program.—The head of a department or agency may procure, as appropriate, commercial products for the department or agency using the program established pursuant to subsection (a).

"(c) Implementation and Reporting Requirements.—The Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in consultation with the Administrator and the heads of other relevant departments and agencies, shall carry out the implementation phases set forth in, and submit to the appropriate congressional committees the items of information required by, the following paragraphs:

"(1) Phase i: implementation plan.—Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 12, 2017], an implementation plan and schedule for carrying out the program established pursuant to subsection (a), including a discussion and recommendations regarding whether any changes to, or exemptions from, laws that set forth policies, procedures, requirements, or restrictions for the procurement of property or services by the Federal Government are necessary for effective implementation of this section.

"(2) Phase ii: market analysis and consultation.—Not later than one year after the date of the submission of the implementation plan and schedule required under paragraph (1), recommendations for any changes to, or exemptions from, laws necessary for effective implementation of this section, and information on the results of the following actions:

"(A) Market analysis and initial communications with potential commercial e-commerce portal providers on technical considerations of how the portals function (including the use of standard terms and conditions of the portals by the Government), the degree of customization that can occur without creating a Government-unique portal, the measures necessary to address the considerations for supplier and product screening specified in subsection (e), security of data, considerations pertaining to nontraditional Government contractors, and potential fees, if any, to be charged by the Administrator, the portal provider, or the suppliers for participation in the program established pursuant to subsection (a).

"(B) Consultation with affected departments and agencies about their unique procurement needs, such as supply chain risks for health care products, information technology, software, or any other category determined necessary by the Administrator.

"(C) An assessment of the products or product categories that are suitable for purchase on the commercial e-commerce portals.

"(D) An assessment of the precautions necessary to safeguard any information pertaining to the Federal Government, especially precautions necessary to protect against national security or cybersecurity threats.

"(E) A review of standard terms and conditions of commercial e-commerce portals in the context of Government requirements.

"(F) An assessment of the impact on existing programs, including schedules, set-asides for small business concerns, and other preference programs.

"(3) Phase iii: program implementation guidance.—Not later than two years after the date of the submission of the implementation plan and schedule required under paragraph (1), guidance to implement and govern the use of the program established pursuant to subsection (a), including protocols for oversight of procurement through the program, and compliance with laws pertaining to supplier and product screening requirements, data security, and data analytics.

"(4) Additional implementation phases.—A description of additional implementation phases, as determined by the Administrator, that includes a selection of agencies to participate in any such additional implementation phase (which may include the award of contracts to multiple commercial e-commerce portal providers).

"(5) Additional testing.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this paragraph [Dec. 27, 2021], the Administrator shall—

"(A) begin testing commercial e-commerce portal models (other than any such model selected for the initial proof of concept) identified pursuant to paragraph (2); and

"(B) submit to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives], the Committee on Oversight and Reform [now Committee on Oversight and Accountability] of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report that includes—

"(i) a summary of the assessments conducted under paragraph (2) with respect to a commercial e-commerce portal model identified pursuant to such paragraph;

"(ii) a list of the types of commercial products that could be procured using models tested pursuant to subparagraph (A);

"(iii) an estimate of the amount that could be spent by the head of a department or agency under the program, disaggregated by type of commercial e-commerce portal model; and

"(iv) an update on the models tested pursuant to subparagraph (A) and a timeline for completion of such testing.

"(6) Report.—Upon completion of testing conducted under paragraph (5) and before taking any action with respect to the commercial e-commerce portal models tested, the Administrator of General Services shall submit to the congressional defense committees [Committees on Armed Services and Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives], the Committee on Oversight and Reform [now Committee on Oversight and Accountability] of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, a report on the results of such testing that includes—

"(A) an assessment and comparison of commercial e-commerce portal models with respect to—

"(i) price and quality of the commercial products supplied by each commercial e-commerce portal model;

"(ii) supplier reliability and service;

"(iii) safeguards for the security of Government information and third-party supplier proprietary information;

"(iv) protections against counterfeit commercial products;

"(v) supply chain risks, particularly with respect to complex commercial products; and

"(vi) overall adherence to Federal procurement rules and policies; and

"(B) an analysis of the costs and benefits of the convenience to the Federal Government of procuring commercial products from each such commercial e-commerce portal model.

"(d) Considerations for Commercial e-commerce Portals.—The Administrator shall consider commercial e-commerce portals for use under the program established pursuant to subsection (a) that are widely used in the private sector and have or can be configured to have features that facilitate the execution of program objectives, including features related to supplier and product selection that are frequently updated, an assortment of product and supplier reviews, invoicing payment, and customer service.

"(e) Information on Suppliers, Products, and Purchases.—

"(1) Supplier participation and product screening.—The Administrator shall provide or ensure electronic availability to a commercial e-commerce portal provider awarded a contract pursuant to subsection (a) on a periodic basis information necessary to ensure compliance with laws pertaining to supplier and product screening as identified during implementation phase III, as described in subsection (c)(3).

"(2) Provision of order information.—The Administrator shall require each commercial e-commerce portal provider awarded a contract pursuant to subsection (a) to provide order information as determined by the Administrator during implementation phase II, as described in subsection (c)(2).

"(f) Relationship to Other Provisions of Law.—

"(1) All laws, including laws that set forth policies, procedures, requirements, or restrictions for the procurement of property or services by the Federal Government, apply to the program established pursuant to subsection (a) unless otherwise provided in this section.

"(2) A procurement of a product made through a commercial e-commerce portal under the program established pursuant to subsection (a) is deemed to be an award of a prime contract for purposes of the goals established under section 15(g) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 644(g)), if the purchase is from a supplier that is a small business concern.

"(3) Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting the authority of a department or agency to restrict competition to small business concerns.

"(4) Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting the applicability of section 1341 of title 31, United States Code (popularly referred to as the Anti-Deficiency Act).

"(5) A procurement of a product made through a commercial e-commerce portal under the program established pursuant to subsection (a) is deemed to satisfy requirements for full and open competition pursuant to sections 3201 through 3205 of title 10, United States Code, and section 3301 of title 41, United States Code, if—

"(A) there are offers from two or more suppliers of such a product or similar product with substantially the same physical, functional, or performance characteristics on the online marketplace; and

"(B) the Administrator establishes procedures to implement subparagraph (A) and notifies Congress at least 30 days before implementing such procedures.

"(g) Use of Commercial Practices and Standard Terms and Conditions.—A procurement of a product through a commercial e-commerce portal used under the program established pursuant to subsection (a) shall be made, to the maximum extent practicable, under the standard terms and conditions of the portal relating to purchasing on the portal.

"(h) Disclosure, Protection, and Use of Information.—In any contract awarded to a commercial e-commerce portal provider pursuant to subsection (a), the Administrator shall require that the provider—

"(1) agree not to sell or otherwise make available to any third party any information pertaining to a product ordered by the Federal Government through the commercial e-commerce portal in a manner that identifies the Federal Government, or any of its departments or agencies, as the purchaser, except if the information is needed to process or deliver an order or the Administrator provides written consent;

"(2) agree to take the necessary precautions to safeguard any information pertaining to the Federal Government, especially precautions necessary to protect against national security or cybersecurity threats; and

"(3) agree not to use, for pricing, marketing, competitive, or other purposes, any information, including any Government-owned data, such as purchasing trends or spending habits, related to a product from a third-party supplier featured on the commercial e-commerce portal or the transaction of such product, except as necessary to comply with the requirements of the program established in subsection (a).

"(i) Simplified Acquisition Threshold.—A procurement through a commercial e-commerce portal used under the program established pursuant to subsection (a) shall not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold in section 134 of title 41, United States Code.

"(j) Comptroller General Assessments.—

"(1) Assessment of implementation plan.—Not later than 90 days after the Director of the Office of Management and Budget submits the implementation plan described in subsection (c)(1) to the appropriate congressional committees, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees an assessment of the plan, including any other matters the Comptroller General considers relevant to the plan.

"(2) Assessment of program implementation.—Not later than three years after the first contract with a commercial e-commerce portal provider is awarded pursuant to subsection (a), the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the challenges and benefits the General Services Administration and participating departments and agencies observe regarding implementation of the program established pursuant to subsection (a). The report shall include the following elements:

"(A) A description of the acquisition of the commercial e-commerce portals (including the extent to which the portals had to be configured or otherwise modified to meet the needs of the program) costs, and the implementation schedule.

"(B) A description of participation by suppliers, with particular attention to those described under subsection (e), that have registered or that have sold goods with at least one commercial e-commerce portal provider, including numbers, categories, and trends.

"(C) The effect, if any, of the program on the ability of agencies to meet goals established for suppliers and products described under subsection (e), including goals established under section 15(g) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 644(g)).

"(D) A discussion of the limitations, if any, to participation by suppliers in the program.

"(E) Any other matters the Comptroller General considers relevant to report.

"(k) Definitions.—In this section:

"(1) Administrator.—The term 'Administrator' means the Administrator of General Services.

"(2) Appropriate congressional committees.—The term 'appropriate congressional committees' means the following:

"(A) The Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives.

"(B) The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform [now Committee on Oversight and Accountability] of the House of Representatives.

"(C) The Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives.

"(3) Commercial e-commerce portal.—The term 'commercial e-commerce portal' means a commercial solution providing for the purchase of commercial products aggregated, distributed, sold, or manufactured via an online portal. The term does not include an online portal managed by the Government for, or predominantly for use by, Government agencies.

"(4) Commercial product.—The term 'commercial product' means a commercially available off-the-shelf item, as defined in section 104 of title 41, United States Code, except the term does not include services.

"(5) Small business concern.—The term 'small business concern' has the meaning given such term under section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632)."
41 U.S.C. § 6305 (2024) — Title 41: PUBLIC CONTRACTS / Chapter 63 / Section 6305: Prohibition on transfer of contract and certain allowable assignments
Prohibition on transfer of contract and certain allowable assignments
Status: in_force

(a) General Prohibition on Transfer of Contracts.—The party to whom the Federal Government gives a contract or order may not transfer the contract or order, or any interest in the contract or order, to another party. A purported transfer in violation of this subsection annuls the contract or order so far as the Federal Government is concerned, except that all rights of action for breach of contract are reserved to the Federal Government.

(b) Assignment.—

(1) In general.—Notwithstanding subsection (a) and in accordance with the requirements of this subsection, amounts due from the Federal Government under a contract may be assigned to a bank, trust company, Federal lending agency, or other financing institution.

(2) Minimum amount.—This subsection applies only to a contract under which the aggregate amounts due from the Federal Government total at least $1,000.

(3) Accord with contract terms.—Assignment may not be made under this subsection if the contract forbids the assignment.

(4) Full balance due.—Unless otherwise expressly permitted by the contract, an assignment under this subsection must cover the balance of all amounts due from the Federal Government under the contract.

(5) Single assignment.—Unless otherwise expressly permitted by the contract, an assignment under this subsection may not be made to more than one party or be subject to further assignment, except that assignment may be made to one party as agent or trustee for 2 or more parties participating in the financing.

(6) Written notice.—The assignee of an assignment under this subsection shall file written notice of the assignment and a true copy of the instrument of assignment with—

(A) the contracting officer or head of the officer's department or agency;

(B) the surety on any bond connected with the contract; and

(C) the disbursing officer, if any, designated in the contract to make payment.

(7) Validity.—Notwithstanding any law to the contrary governing the validity of assignments, an assignment under this subsection is a valid assignment for all purposes.

(8) No refund to cover assignor's liability.—The assignee of an assignment under this subsection is not liable to make any refund to the Federal Government because of an assignor's liability to the Federal Government, whether that liability arises from the contract or independently.

(9) Avoiding reduction or setoff with certain contracts.—

(A) Contract provision.—A contract of the Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, the Department of Energy, or another department or agency of the Federal Government designated by the President may, on a determination of need by the President, provide or be amended without consideration to provide that payments made to an assignee under the contract are not subject to reduction or setoff. Each determination of need by the President under this subparagraph shall be published in the Federal Register.

(B) Carrying out contract provision.—When a "no reduction or setoff" provision as described in subparagraph (A) is included in a contract, payments to the assignee are not subject to reduction or setoff for an assignor's liability arising—

(i) independently of the contract;

(ii) on account of renegotiation under a renegotiation statute or under a statutory renegotiation article in the contract;

(iii) on account of fines;

(iv) on account of penalties; or

(v) on account of taxes, social security contributions, or the withholding or non-withholding of taxes or social security contributions, whether arising from or independently of the contract.

(C) Limitation.—Subparagraph (B)(iv) does not apply to amounts which may be collected or withheld from the assignor in accordance with or for failure to comply with the terms of the contract.

(Pub. L. 111–350, §3, Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3804.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised 
Section
Source (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)

6305(a)
41:15(a).
R.S. §3737; Oct. 9, 1940, ch. 779, §1, 54 Stat. 1029; May 15, 1951, ch. 75, 65 Stat. 41; Pub. L. 103–355, title II, §2451, Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3324; Pub. L. 104–106, div. D, title XLIII, §4321(i)(9), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 676.

6305(b)(1)
41:15(b) (words before par. (1) less words related to minimum amount).

6305(b)(2)
41:15(b) (words before par. (1) related to minimum amount).

6305(b)(3)
41:15(b)(1).

6305(b)(4)
41:15(b)(2) (related to full balance due).

6305(b)(5)
41:15(b)(2) (related to single assignment).

6305(b)(6)
41:15(b)(3).

6305(b)(7)
41:15(c).

6305(b)(8)
41:15(d).

6305(b)(9)(A)
41:15(e).

6305(b)(9)(B)
41:15(f) (less parenthetical phrase in par. (3)).

6305(b)(9)(C)
41:15(f) (parenthetical phrase in par. (3)), (g).

In subsection (a), the words "The party to whom the Federal Government gives a contract or order" are substituted for "the party to whom such contract or order is given" for clarity. The words "A purported transfer in violation of this subsection" are substituted for "any such transfer" because an actual transfer is precluded by this provision.

In subsection (b)(1), the words "amounts due from the Federal Government" are substituted for "moneys due or to become due from the United States or from any agency or department thereof" to eliminate unnecessary words. The words "may be assigned" are added to provide explicitly for authority that is necessarily implied by the source provision.

In subsection (b)(3), the words "in the case of any contract entered into after October 9, 1940" are omitted as obsolete.

In subsection (b)(5), the words "participating in such financing" are omitted as unnecessary.

In subsection (b)(8), the words "is not liable to make any refund to the Federal Government" are substituted for "no [liability] . . . shall create or impose any liability on the part of the assignee to make restitution, refund, or repayment to the United States of any amount heretofore since July 1, 1950, or hereafter received under the assignment" to eliminate unnecessary words. The words "an assignor's liability to the Federal Government" are substituted for "liability of any nature of the assignor to the United States or any department or agency thereof " for clarity and to eliminate unnecessary words.

In subsection (b)(9)(A), the words "except any such contract under which full payment has been made" are omitted as unnecessary because subsection (b)(8) precludes refund where full payment has already been made. The words "payments made to an assignee under the contract" are substituted for "payments to be made to the assignee of any moneys due or to become due under such contract" to eliminate unnecessary words.

In subsection (b)(9)(B), the words "When a 'no reduction or setoff ' provision as described in subparagraph (A) is included in a contract" are substituted for "If a provision described in subsection (e) of this section or a provision to the same general effect has been at any time heretofore or is hereafter included or inserted in any such contract", the words "payments to the assignee" are substituted for "payments to be made thereafter to an assignee of any moneys due or to become due", and the words "an assignor's liability" are substituted for "any liability of any nature of the assignor to the United States or any department or agency thereof ", for clarity and to eliminate unnecessary words.

In subsection (b)(9)(C), the text of 40:15(g), which provided that nothing in 40:15 affected rights and obligations accrued before subsection (g) was added by the Act of May 15, 1951 (ch. 75, 65 Stat. 41), is omitted as obsolete.

Executive Documents

Delegation of Authority

Memorandum of President of the United States, Oct. 3, 1995, 60 F.R. 52289, provided:

Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies

Section 2451 of the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act of 1994, Public Law 103–355 ([amending former] 41 U.S.C. 15 [see 41 U.S.C. 6305]) ("Act"), provides, in part, that "[a]ny contract of the Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, the Department of Energy or any other department or agency of the United States designated by the President, except [contracts where] . . . full payment has been made, may, upon a determination of need by the President, provide or be amended without consideration to provide that payments to be made to the assignee of any moneys due or to become due under [the] contract shall not be subject to reduction or set-off."

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 301 of title 3, United States Code, I hereby designate all other departments and agencies of the United States as subject to this provision. Furthermore, I hereby delegate to the Secretaries of Defense and Energy, the Administrator of General Services, and the heads of all other departments and agencies, the authority under section 2451 of the Act to make determinations of need for their respective agency's contracts, subject to such further guidance as issued by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy.

The authority delegated by this memorandum may be further delegated within the departments and agencies.

This memorandum shall be published in the Federal Register.

William J. Clinton.
41 U.S.C. § 1327 (2024) — Title 41: PUBLIC CONTRACTS / Chapter 13 / Subchapter III / Section 1327: Judicial review procedures
Judicial review procedures
Status: in_force

(a) In General.—Except as provided in subsection (b) and chapter 71 of this title, and notwithstanding any other provision of law, an action taken under section 1323 or 4713 of this title, or any action taken by an executive agency to implement such an action, shall not be subject to administrative review or judicial review, including bid protests before the Government Accountability Office or in any Federal court.

(b) Petitions.—

(1) In general.—Not later than 60 days after a party is notified of an exclusion or removal order under section 1323(c)(6) of this title or a covered procurement action under section 4713 of this title, the party may file a petition for judicial review in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit claiming that the issuance of the exclusion or removal order or covered procurement action is unlawful.

(2) Standard of review.—The Court shall hold unlawful a covered action taken under sections 1323 or 4713 of this title, in response to a petition that the court finds to be—

(A) arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law;

(B) contrary to constitutional right, power, privilege, or immunity;

(C) in excess of statutory jurisdiction, authority, or limitation, or short of statutory right;

(D) lacking substantial support in the administrative record taken as a whole or in classified information submitted to the court under paragraph (3); or

(E) not in accord with procedures required by law.

(3) Exclusive jurisdiction.—The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit shall have exclusive jurisdiction over claims arising under sections 1323(c)(5) or 4713 of this title against the United States, any United States department or agency, or any component or official of any such department or agency, subject to review by the Supreme Court of the United States under section 1254 of title 28.

(4) Administrative record and procedures.—

(A) In general.—The procedures described in this paragraph shall apply to the review of a petition under this section.

(B) Administrative record.—

(i) Filing of record.—The United States shall file with the court an administrative record, which shall consist of the information that the appropriate official relied upon in issuing an exclusion or removal order under section 1323(c)(5) or a covered procurement action under section 4713 of this title.

(ii) Unclassified, nonprivileged information.—All unclassified information contained in the administrative record that is not otherwise privileged or subject to statutory protections shall be provided to the petitioner with appropriate protections for any privileged or confidential trade secrets and commercial or financial information.

(iii) In camera and ex parte.—The following information may be included in the administrative record and shall be submitted only to the court ex parte and in camera:

(I) Classified information.

(II) Sensitive security information, as defined by section 1520.5 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations.

(III) Privileged law enforcement information.

(IV) Information obtained or derived from any activity authorized under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), except that, with respect to such information, subsections (c), (e), (f), (g), and (h) of section 106 (50 U.S.C. 1806), subsections (d), (f), (g), (h), and (i) of section 305 (50 U.S.C. 1825), subsections (c), (e), (f), (g), and (h) of section 405 (50 U.S.C. 1845), and section 706 (50 U.S.C. 1881e) of that Act shall not apply.

(V) Information subject to privilege or protections under any other provision of law.

(iv) Under seal.—Any information that is part of the administrative record filed ex parte and in camera under clause (iii), or cited by the court in any decision, shall be treated by the court consistent with the provisions of this subparagraph and shall remain under seal and preserved in the records of the court to be made available consistent with the above provisions in the event of further proceedings. In no event shall such information be released to the petitioner or as part of the public record.

(v) Return.—After the expiration of the time to seek further review, or the conclusion of further proceedings, the court shall return the administrative record, including any and all copies, to the United States.

(C) Exclusive remedy.—A determination by the court under this subsection shall be the exclusive judicial remedy for any claim described in this section against the United States, any United States department or agency, or any component or official of any such department or agency.

(D) Rule of construction.—Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting, superseding, or preventing the invocation of, any privileges or defenses that are otherwise available at law or in equity to protect against the disclosure of information.

(c) Definition.—In this section, the term "classified information"—

(1) has the meaning given that term in section 1(a) of the Classified Information Procedures Act (18 U.S.C. App.); and

(2) includes—

(A) any information or material that has been determined by the United States Government pursuant to an Executive order, statute, or regulation to require protection against unauthorized disclosure for reasons of national security; and

(B) any restricted data, as defined in section 11 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2014).

(Added Pub. L. 115–390, title II, §202(a), Dec. 21, 2018, 132 Stat. 5185.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, referred to in subsec. (b)(4)(B)(iii)(IV), is Pub. L. 95–511, Oct. 25, 1978, 92 Stat. 1783, which is classified principally to chapter 36 (§1801 et seq.) of Title 50, War and National Defense. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1801 of Title 50 and Tables.

The Classified Information Procedures Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(1), is Pub. L. 96–456, Oct. 15, 1980, 94 Stat. 2025, which is set out in the Appendix to Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective 90 days after Dec. 21, 2018, and applicable to contracts that are awarded before, on, or after that date, see section 202(c) of Pub. L. 115–390, set out as a note under section 1321 of this title.

Title II of Pub. L. 115–390 effective 90 days after Dec. 21, 2018, see section 205 of Pub. L. 115–390, set out as a note under section 1321 of this title.