SpendQueryBeta

FAR and DFARS › DFARS Part 209: Contractor Qualifications › Subpart 209.5

DFARS 209.571-7 Systems engineering and technical assistance 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 requires agencies to get systems architecture and systems engineering advice for major defense acquisition programs from independent sources, not from the program's own contractor. It also generally bars a contractor performing systems engineering and technical assistance from later participating in development or production of a weapon system under that program, unless a specific exception is approved by the head of the contracting activity.

Applies to: Contractors performing systems engineering and technical assistance on major defense acquisition programs or pre-major defense acquisition programs

What it requires

  • Obtain advice on systems architecture and systems engineering matters from Federally Funded Research and Development Centers or other independent sources
  • Include a contract clause prohibiting the contractor and its affiliates from participating as contractor or major subcontractor in development or production of a weapon system under the program

Key terms: systems engineering and technical assistance · major defense acquisition program · pre-major defense acquisition program · Federally Funded Research and Development Centers · affiliate

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

The text

(a) Agencies shall obtain advice on systems architecture and systems engineering matters with respect to major defense acquisition programs or pre-major defense acquisition programs from Federally Funded Research and Development Centers or other sources independent of the major defense acquisition program contractor.

(b) Limitation on Future Contracting. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this subsection, a contract for the performance of systems engineering and technical assistance for a major defense acquisition program or a pre-major defense acquisition program shall prohibit the contractor or any affiliate of the contractor from participating as a contractor or major subcontractor in the development or production of a weapon system under such program.

(2) The requirement in paragraph (b)(1) of this subsection cannot be waived.

(c) Exception. (1) The requirement in paragraph (b)(1) of this subsection does not apply if the head of the contracting activity determines that—

(i) An exception is necessary because DoD needs the domain experience and expertise of the highly qualified, apparently successful offeror; and

(ii) Based on the agreed-to resolution strategy, the apparently successful offeror will be able to provide objective and unbiased advice, as required by 209.571-3(a), without a limitation on future participation in development and production.

(2) The authority to make this determination cannot be delegated.

Sections it refers to

Sections that refer to it

← 209.571-6 Identification of organizational conflicts of interest. · 209.571-8 Solicitation provision and contract clause. →

Rule changes for DFARS Part 209

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

DFARS 209.571-7 Systems engineering and technical assistance contracts · SpendQuery