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FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 18: Emergency Acquisitions › Subpart 18.2

FAR 18.203 Emergency declaration or major disaster declaration.

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 that when the President has declared a major disaster or emergency under the Stafford Act, contracting for disaster or emergency assistance activities gives preference to local organizations, firms, and individuals. That preference can take the form of local area set-asides or an evaluation preference. It also notes that cargo preference requirements for U.S. flag vessels may be waived in emergency situations.

Applies to: Contracting for major disaster or emergency assistance activities after a Presidential declaration

Key terms: local area set-asides · evaluation preference · Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act · Cargo Preference Act of 1954

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

The text

(a) Disaster or emergency assistance activities. Preference will be given to local organizations, firms, and individuals when contracting for major disaster or emergency assistance activities when the President has made a declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. Preference may take the form of local area set-asides or an evaluation preference. (See 6.208 and Subpart 26.2.)

(b) Ocean transportation by U.S. flag vessels. The provisions of the Cargo Preference Act of 1954 may be waived in emergency situations. (See 47.502(c).)

Sections it refers to

  • 6.208 Set-asides for local firms during a major disaster or emergency.
  • 47.502 Policy.

Sections that refer to it

← 18.202 Defense or recovery from certain events. · 18.204 Humanitarian or peacekeeping operation. →

Rule changes for FAR Part 18

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

FAR 18.203 Emergency declaration or major disaster declaration · SpendQuery