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FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 13: Simplified Acquisition Procedures › Subpart 13.3

FAR 13.303-1 General.

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 a blanket purchase agreement (BPA) is a simplified way to fill anticipated repetitive needs for supplies or services by setting up charge accounts with qualified sources. It also says BPAs are meant for organizations that provide supplies for their own operations or for other offices, installations, projects, or functions. Using a BPA does not excuse an agency from keeping obligations and expenditures within available funds.

Applies to: Agencies and organizations using BPAs for repetitive supply or service needs

What it requires

  • Keep obligations and expenditures within available funds when using BPAs

Key terms: blanket purchase agreement (BPA) · charge accounts · qualified sources of supply · simplified method · available funds

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

The text

(a) A blanket purchase agreement (BPA) is a simplified method of filling anticipated repetitive needs for supplies or services by establishing “charge accounts” with qualified sources of supply (see subpart 16.7 for additional coverage of agreements).

(b) BPAs should be established for use by an organization responsible for providing supplies for its own operations or for other offices, installations, projects, or functions. Such organizations, for example, may be organized supply points, separate independent or detached field parties, or one-person posts or activities.

(c) The use of BPAs does not exempt an agency from the responsibility for keeping obligations and expenditures within available funds.

← 13.303 Blanket purchase agreements (BPAs). · 13.303-2 Establishment of BPAs. →

Rule changes for FAR Part 13

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

FAR 13.303-1 General · SpendQuery