FAR and DFARS › DFARS Part 206: Competition Requirements › Subpart 206.2
DFARS 206.202 Establishing or maintaining alternative sources.
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 DFARS section addresses the authority to establish or maintain alternative sources by excluding a particular source from a contract action. It requires that the determination and findings (D&F) and supporting documentation identify the source to be excluded and include applicable information from PGI 206.202(b) plus any other pertinent information. This matters to contractors because it explains how and why a contractor may be excluded from competing for a contract action.
Applies to: Agencies using the authority to exclude a source from a contract action
What it requires
- Identify the source to be excluded from the contract action in the D&F and supporting documentation
- Include the information at PGI 206.202(b), as applicable, and any other pertinent information in the supporting documentation
Key terms: determination and findings (D&F) · alternative sources · exclude a particular source · contract action · PGI 206.202(b)
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
(a) Agencies may use this authority to totally or partially exclude a particular source from a contract action.
(b) The determination and findings (D&F) and the documentation supporting the D&F shall identify the source to be excluded from the contract action. Include the information at PGI 206.202(b), as applicable, and any other information that may be pertinent, in the supporting documentation.
Sections that refer to it
- 218.203 Emergency declaration or major disaster declaration.
← 206.102-70 Other competitive procedures. · 206.302 Circumstances permitting other than full and open competition. →
Rule changes for DFARS Part 206
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Inflation Adjustment of Acquisition-Related Thresholds (DFARS Case 2024-D002) ↗ · proposed 2025-01-17 · comments due 2025-03-18
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Technical Amendments ↗ · final rule 2025-01-17 · effective 2025-01-17
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Pilot Program To Incentivize Contracting With Employee-Owned Businesses (DFARS Case 2024-D004) ↗ · final rule 2024-10-10 · effective 2024-11-25
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Modification of Prize Authority for Advanced Technology Achievements (DFARS Case 2022-D014) ↗ · final rule 2024-09-26 · effective 2024-10-01
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Technical Amendments ↗ · final rule 2024-07-29 · effective 2024-07-29
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Pilot Program To Incentivize Contracting With Employee-Owned Businesses (DFARS Case 2024-D004) ↗ · proposed 2024-05-30 · comments due 2024-07-29
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Modification of Prize Authority for Advanced Technology Achievements (DFARS Case 2022-D014) ↗ · proposed 2024-04-25 · comments due 2024-06-24
Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.