FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 17: Special Contracting Methods › Subpart 17.5

FAR 17.503 Ordering procedures.

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 sets out the procedures an agency must follow before ordering supplies or services from another Government agency, including what the order should contain and how disagreements are resolved. It also assigns responsibilities between the requesting and servicing agencies when the servicing agency will award a contract, and limits when nonsponsoring agencies may use an FFRDC. It matters to contractors because it governs how interagency acquisitions are structured and which agency is responsible for compliance with legal and competition requirements.

Applies to: Government agencies placing or servicing interagency acquisitions, including orders with FFRDCs

What it requires

  • Before placing an order with another Government agency, follow the procedures in 17.502-1 and, if under the Economy Act, also 17.502-2.
  • Include in the order a description of the supplies or services, delivery requirements, a funds citation, a payment provision, and acquisition authority as appropriate.
  • Agree on procedures for resolving disagreements under interagency acquisitions, and obtain written consent if a third-party forum is proposed.
  • When the servicing agency will award a contract, the servicing agency shall execute and issue any required justification and approval or D&F, and the requesting agency shall furnish needed information and assistance.

Key terms: interagency acquisition · requesting agency · servicing agency · Economy Act · FFRDC

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

The text

(a) Before placing an order for supplies or services with another Government agency, the requesting agency shall follow the procedures in 17.502-1 and, if under the Economy Act, also 17.502-2.

(b) The order may be placed on any form or document that is acceptable to both agencies. The order should include—

(1) A description of the supplies or services required;

(2) Delivery requirements;

(3) A funds citation;

(4) A payment provision (see 17.502-2(d)) for Economy Act orders); and

(5) Acquisition authority as may be appropriate (see 17.503(d)).

(c) The requesting and servicing agencies should agree to procedures for the resolution of disagreements that may arise under interagency acquisitions, including, in appropriate circumstances, the use of a third-party forum. If a third party is proposed, consent of the third party should be obtained in writing.

(d) When an interagency acquisition requires the servicing agency to award a contract, the following procedures also apply:

(1) If a justification and approval or a D&F (other than the requesting agency's D&F required in 17.502-2(c)) is required by law or regulation, the servicing agency shall execute and issue the justification and approval or D&F. The requesting agency shall furnish the servicing agency any information needed to make the justification and approval or D&F.

(2) The requesting agency shall also be responsible for furnishing other assistance that may be necessary, such as providing information or special contract terms needed to comply with any condition or limitation applicable to the funds of the requesting agency.

(3) The servicing agency is responsible for compliance with all other legal or regulatory requirements applicable to the contract, including—

(i) Having adequate statutory authority for the contractual action; and

(ii) Complying fully with the competition requirements of part 6 (see 6.002). However, if the servicing agency is not subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulation, the requesting agency shall verify that contracts utilized to meet its requirements contain provisions protecting the Government from inappropriate charges (for example, provisions mandated for FAR agencies by part 31), and that adequate contract administration will be provided.

(e) Nonsponsoring Federal agencies may use a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) only if the terms of the FFRDC's sponsoring agreement permit work from other than a sponsoring agency. Work placed with the FFRDC is subject to the acceptance by the sponsor and must fall within the purpose, mission, general scope of effort, or special competency of the FFRDC. (See 35.017; see also 6.302 for procedures to follow where using other than full and open competition.) The nonsponsoring agency shall provide to the sponsoring agency necessary documentation that the requested work would not place the FFRDC in direct competition with domestic private industry.

Sections it refers to

  • 17.502-1 General.
  • 17.502-2 The Economy Act.
  • 6.002 Limitations.
  • 35.017 Federally Funded Research and Development Centers.
  • 6.302 Circumstances permitting other than full and open competition.

Sections that refer to it

  • 35.017-3 Using an FFRDC.
  • 215.101-70 Best value when acquiring tents or other temporary structures.

← 17.502-2 The Economy Act. · 17.504 Reporting requirements. →

Rule changes for FAR Part 17

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

FAR 17.503 Ordering procedures · SpendQuery