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

FAR 11.105 Items peculiar to one manufacturer.

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 says agencies must not write requirements that name a particular brand, product, or unique feature in a way that rules out other companies' products. A contractor can be affected because such restrictive wording is only allowed when the item is essential to the Government's needs and the required justification or documentation exists. It also points to separate rules for schedule orders and indefinite-quantity contract orders.

Applies to: Agency requirements that specify a brand name, product, or peculiar feature

What it requires

  • Do not write requirements so as to require a particular brand name, product, or feature peculiar to one manufacturer unless the stated conditions are met
  • Support authority to contract without full and open competition with the required justifications and approvals
  • Document the basis for not providing maximum practicable competition in the file or justify it when using simplified acquisition procedures
  • Post the documentation or justification for acquisitions over $25,000

Key terms: particular brand name · peculiar to one manufacturer · full and open competition · maximum practicable competition · simplified acquisition procedures

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

The text

Agency requirements shall not be written so as to require a particular brand name, product, or a feature of a product, peculiar to one manufacturer, thereby precluding consideration of a product manufactured by another company, unless—

(a)(1) The particular brand name, product, or feature is essential to the Government's requirements, and market research indicates other companies' similar products, or products lacking the particular feature, do not meet, or cannot be modified to meet, the agency's minimum needs;

(2)(i) The authority to contract without providing for full and open competition is supported by the required justifications and approvals (see 6.302-1); or

(ii) The basis for not providing for maximum practicable competition is documented in the file (see 13.106-1(b)) or justified (see 13.501) when the acquisition is awarded using simplified acquisition procedures.

(3) The documentation or justification is posted for acquisitions over $25,000. (See 5.102(a)(6).)

(b) For multiple award schedule orders, see 8.405-6.

(c) For orders under indefinite-quantity contracts, see 16.505(a)(4).

Sections it refers to

  • 6.302-1 Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.
  • 13.106-1 Soliciting competition.
  • 13.501 Special documentation requirements.
  • 5.102 Availability of solicitations.
  • 8.405-6 Limiting sources.
  • 16.505 Ordering.

← 11.104 Use of brand name or equal purchase descriptions. · 11.106 Purchase descriptions for service contracts. →

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 11.105 Items peculiar to one manufacturer · SpendQuery