FAR and DFARS › DFARS Part 206: Competition Requirements › Subpart 206.3
DFARS 206.302-1 Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.
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 implements a statutory prohibition on awarding contracts for studies, analyses, or consulting services based on unsolicited proposals without full and open competition, unless specific exceptions apply. It also requires a justification and approval for using brand-name or equal descriptions and proprietary specifications or standards. Contractors should understand that such awards are tightly restricted and require high-level determinations or justifications.
Applies to: DoD contracting activities awarding contracts for studies, analyses, or consulting services based on unsolicited proposals, or using brand-name or equal descriptions or proprietary specifications.
What it requires
- Obtain a determination from the head of the contracting activity or a designee no lower than chief of the contracting office, or a Senate-confirmed DoD civilian official, or ensure the contract is related to equipment improvement, before awarding an unsolicited proposal for studies, analyses, or con
- Prepare a justification and approval as addressed in FAR 6.303 to use brand name or equal descriptions.
- Prepare a justification and approval as addressed in FAR 6.303 to use proprietary specifications and standards.
- Follow the procedures at PGI 206.302-1(d) prior to soliciting a proposal without providing for full and open competition under this authority.
Key terms: unsolicited proposal · full and open competition · head of the contracting activity · justification and approval · brand name or equal descriptions
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
(a) Authority. (2)(i) Section 8059 of Pub. L. 101-511 and similar sections in subsequent defense appropriations acts prohibit departments and agencies from entering into contracts for studies, analyses, or consulting services (see FAR subpart 37.2) on the basis of an unsolicited proposal without providing for full and open competition, unless—
(1) The head of the contracting activity, or a designee no lower than chief of the contracting office, determines that—
(i) Following thorough technical evaluation, only one source is fully qualified to perform the proposed work;
(ii) The unsolicited proposal offers significant scientific or technological promise, represents the product of original thinking, and was submitted in confidence; or
(iii) The contract benefits the national defense by taking advantage of a unique and significant industrial accomplishment or by ensuring financial support to a new product or idea;
(2) A civilian official of the DoD, whose appointment has been confirmed by the Senate, determines the award to be in the interest of national defense; or
(3) The contract is related to improvement of equipment that is in development or production.
(b) Application. This authority may be used for acquisitions of test articles and associated support services from a designated foreign source under the DoD Foreign Comparative Testing Program.
(c) Application for brand-name descriptions.
(2) Notwithstanding FAR 6.302-1(c)(2), in accordance with section 888(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Pub. L. 114-328), the justification and approval addressed in FAR 6.303 is required in order to use brand name or equal descriptions.
(d) Limitations. Follow the procedures at PGI 206.302-1(d) prior to soliciting a proposal without providing for full and open competition under this authority.
(S-70) Application for proprietary specifications or standards. In accordance with section 888(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Pub. L. 114-328), the justification and approval addressed in FAR 6.303 is required in order to use proprietary specifications and standards.
Sections it refers to
Sections that refer to it
- 205.205-71 Only one responsible source.
- 211.104 Use of brand name or equal purchase descriptions.
- 211.170 Use of proprietary specifications or standards.
← 206.302 Circumstances permitting other than full and open competition. · 206.302-2 Unusual and compelling urgency. →
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.