FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 19: Small Business Programs › Subpart 19.8
FAR 19.804-6 Indefinite-delivery contracts.
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 how orders are handled under multiple-award contracts set aside for 8(a) contractors. It clarifies when separate offers and acceptances are needed, when sole-source orders are allowed, and that 8(a) contractors can keep receiving orders even after leaving the program. It also addresses how agencies can count orders toward small business goals.
Applies to: 8(a) contractors and contracting officers using multiple-award contracts
What it requires
- Follow offering and acceptance procedures at 19.804-2 and 19.804-3 for sole-source orders under certain conditions.
- For orders under multiple-award contracts not set aside for exclusive 8(a) competition, separate offers and acceptances are required.
Key terms: 8(a) contractors · multiple-award contracts · indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts · sole source basis · small disadvantaged business goals
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
(a) Separate offers and acceptances are not required for individual orders under multiple-award contracts (including the Federal Supply Schedules managed by GSA, multi-agency contracts or Governmentwide acquisition contracts, or indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts) that have been set aside for exclusive competition among 8(a) contractors, and the individual order is to be competed among all 8(a) contract holders. SBA's acceptance of the original contract is valid for the term of the contract. Offers and acceptances are required for individual orders under multiple-award contracts that have not been set aside for exclusive competition among 8(a) contractors.
(b) The contracting officer may issue an order on a sole source basis when—
(1) The multiple-award contract was set aside for exclusive competition among 8(a) participants;
(2) The order has an estimated value less than or equal to the dollar thresholds set forth at 19.805-1(a)(2); and
(3) The offering and acceptance procedures at 19.804-2 and 19.804-3 are followed.
(c) The contracting officer may issue an order directly to one 8(a) contractor in accordance with 19.504(c)(1)(ii) when—
(1) The multiple-award contract was reserved for 8(a) participants;
(2) The order has an estimated value less than or equal to $8.5 million for acquisitions assigned manufacturing NAICS codes and $5.5 million for all other acquisitions; and
(3) The offering and acceptance procedures at 19.804-2 and 19.804-3 are followed.
(d) An 8(a) contractor may continue to accept new orders under the contract, even if it exits the 8(a) program, or becomes other than small for the NAICS code(s) assigned to the contract.
(e) Agencies may continue to take credit toward their prime contracting small disadvantaged business or small business goals for orders awarded to 8(a) contractors, even after the contractor's 8(a) program term expires, the contractor otherwise exits the 8(a) program, or the contractor becomes other than small for the NAICS code(s) assigned under the 8(a) contract. However, if an 8(a) contractor rerepresents that it is other than small for the NAICS code(s) assigned under the contract in accordance with 19.301-2 or, where ownership or control of the 8(a) contractor has changed and SBA has granted a waiver to allow the contractor to continue performance (see 13 CFR 124.515), the agency may not credit any subsequent orders awarded to the contractor towards its small disadvantaged business or small business goals.
← 19.804-5 Basic ordering agreements and blanket purchase agreements. · 19.805 Competitive 8(a). →
Rule changes for FAR Part 19
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Inflation Adjustment of Acquisition-Related Thresholds ↗ · final rule 2025-08-27 · effective 2025-10-01
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Small Business Participation on Certain Multiple-Award Contracts ↗ · proposed 2025-06-12
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Small Business Participation on Certain Multiple-Award Contracts ↗ · proposed 2025-01-15 · comments due 2025-03-17
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Subcontracting to Puerto Rican and Covered Territory Small Businesses ↗ · final rule 2025-01-03 · effective 2025-01-17
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Rerepresentation of Size and Socioeconomic Status ↗ · final rule 2025-01-03 · effective 2025-01-17
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Certification of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses ↗ · final rule 2024-12-16 · effective 2024-12-16
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Inflation Adjustment of Acquisition-Related Thresholds ↗ · proposed 2024-11-29 · comments due 2025-01-28
- Federal Acquisition Regulation; Technical Amendments ↗ · final rule 2024-08-29 · effective 2024-09-30
Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.