Subpart 1.4 - Deviations from the FAR

Parent topic: Part 1 - Federal Acquisition Regulations System

1.400 Scope of subpart.

This subpart prescribes the policies and procedures for authorizing deviations from the FAR.

Exceptions pertaining to the use of forms prescribed by the FAR are covered in part 53 rather than

in this subpart.

1.401 Definition.

Deviation means any one or combination of the following:

(a) The issuance or use of a policy, procedure, solicitation provision (see definition in 2.101),

contract clause (see definition in 2.101), method, or practice of conducting acquisition actions of any

kind at any stage of the acquisition process that is inconsistent with the FAR.

(b) The omission of any solicitation provision or contract clause when its prescription requires its

use.

(c) The use of any solicitation provision or contract clause with modified or alternate language that

is not authorized by the FAR (see definition of "modification" in 52.101(a) and definition of

"alternate" in 2.101(a)).

(d) The use of a solicitation provision or contract clause prescribed by the FAR on a "substantially as

follows" or "substantially the same as" basis (see definitions in 2.101 and 52.101(a)), if such use is

inconsistent with the intent, principle, or substance of the prescription or related coverage on the

subject matter in the FAR.

(e) The authorization of lesser or greater limitations on the use of any solicitation provision, contract

clause, policy, or procedure prescribed by the FAR.

(f) The issuance of policies or procedures that govern the contracting process or otherwise control

contracting relationships that are not incorporated into agency acquisition regulations in accordance

with 1.301(a).

1.402 Policy.

Unless precluded by law, executive order, or regulation, deviations from the FAR may be granted as

specified in this subpart when necessary to meet the specific needs and requirements of each

agency. The development and testing of new techniques and methods of acquisition should not be

stifled simply because such action would require a FAR deviation. The fact that deviation authority is

required should not, of itself, deter agencies in their development and testing of new techniques and

acquisition methods. Refer to 31.101 for instructions concerning deviations pertaining to the subject

matter of part 31, Contract Cost Principles and Procedures. Deviations are not authorized with
respect to 30.201-3 and 30.201-4, or the requirements of the Cost Accounting Standards Board

(CASB) rules and regulations (48 CFR chapter 99). Refer to 30.201-5 for instructions concerning

waivers pertaining to Cost Accounting Standards.

1.403 Individual deviations.

Individual deviations affect only one contract action, and, unless 1.405(e) is applicable, may be

authorized by the agency head. The contracting officer must document the justification and agency

approval in the contract file.

1.404 Class deviations.

Class deviations affect more than one contract action. When an agency knows that it will require a

class deviation on a permanent basis, it should propose a FAR revision, if appropriate. Civilian

agencies, other than NASA, must furnish a copy of each approved class deviation to the FAR

Secretariat.

(a) For civilian agencies except NASA, class deviations may be authorized by agency heads or their

designees, unless 1.405(e) is applicable. Delegation of this authority shall not be made below the

head of a contracting activity. Authorization of class deviations by agency officials is subject to the

following limitations:

(1) An agency official who may authorize a class deviation, before doing so, shall consult with the

chairperson of the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council (CAA Council), unless that agency official

determines that urgency precludes such consultation.

(2) Recommended revisions to the FAR shall be transmitted to the FAR Secretariat by agency heads

or their designees for authorizing class deviations.

(b) For DoD, class deviations shall be controlled, processed, and approved in accordance with the

Defense FAR Supplement.

(c) For NASA, class deviations shall be controlled and approved by the Assistant Administrator for

Procurement. Deviations shall be processed in accordance with agency regulations.

1.405 Deviations pertaining to treaties and executive

agreements.

(a) "Executive agreements," as used in this section, means Government-to-Government agreements,

including agreements with international organizations, to which the United States is a party.

(b) Any deviation from the FAR required to comply with a treaty to which the United States is a party

is authorized, unless the deviation would be inconsistent with FAR coverage based on a law enacted

after the execution of the treaty.

(c) Any deviation from the FAR required to comply with an executive agreement is authorized unless
the deviation would be inconsistent with FAR coverage based on law.

(d) For civilian agencies other than NASA, a copy of the text deviation authorized under paragraph

(b) or (c) of this section shall be transmitted to the FAR Secretariat through a central agency control

point.

(e) For civilian agencies other than NASA, if a deviation required to comply with a treaty or an

executive agreement is not authorized by paragraph (b) or (c) of this section, then the request for

deviation shall be processed through the FAR Secretariat to the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council.