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FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 11: Describing Agency Needs › Subpart 11.1

FAR 11.104 Use of brand name or equal purchase descriptions.

The codified text (eCFR, as of 2026-10-02). Under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul ↗, agencies follow class deviations with new text for many parts while the formal rules go through the Federal Register: check the solicitation and your contract's clauses, which rule.

In plain English

This section explains that while performance specifications are generally preferred, brand name or equal purchase descriptions may be used in certain situations. When they are used, they must include a general description of the salient characteristics that an equal item must meet, and they should be used when those characteristics are firm requirements.

Applies to: Contracting officers and contractors involved in drafting or responding to solicitations using brand name or equal descriptions.

What it requires

  • Include a general description of salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics that an equal item must meet.
  • Use brand name or equal descriptions when the salient characteristics are firm requirements.

Key terms: brand name or equal purchase description · performance specifications · salient characteristics · equal item · firm requirements

Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.

The text

(a) While the use of performance specifications is preferred to encourage offerors to propose innovative solutions, the use of brand name or equal purchase descriptions may be advantageous under certain circumstances.

(b) Brand name or equal purchase descriptions must include, in addition to the brand name, a general description of those salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics of the brand name item that an “equal” item must meet to be acceptable for award. Use brand name or equal descriptions when the salient characteristics are firm requirements.

← 11.103 Market acceptance. · 11.105 Items peculiar to one manufacturer. →

Rule changes for FAR Part 11

Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.

FAR 11.104 Use of brand name or equal purchase descriptions · SpendQuery