FAR and DFARS › DFARS Part 211: Describing Agency Needs › Subpart 211.2
DFARS 211.274-2 Policy for item unique identification.
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 states DoD policy that item unique identification (IUID), or a recognized equivalent, is generally required for delivered items, including contractor-acquired property delivered on contract line items. It applies based on the Government's unit acquisition cost thresholds and to certain categories of items regardless of value, with limited exceptions described in the text.
Applies to: DoD contracts for delivered items, including contractor-acquired property delivered on contract line items
What it requires
- Provide DoD item unique identification, or a DoD recognized unique identification equivalent, for delivered items covered by the policy unless an exception applies
Key terms: item unique identification · DoD recognized unique identification equivalent · contractor-acquired property · contract line items · determination and findings
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
(a) It is DoD policy that DoD item unique identification, or a DoD recognized unique identification equivalent, is required for all delivered items, including items of contractor-acquired property delivered on contract line items (see PGI 245.402-71 for guidance when delivery of contractor acquired property is required)—
(1) For which the Government's unit acquisition cost is $5,000 or more;
(2) For which the Government's unit acquisition cost is less than $5,000 when the requiring activity determines that item unique identification is required for mission essential or controlled inventory items; or
(3) Regardless of value for any—
(i) DoD serially managed item (reparable or nonreparable) or subassembly, component, or part embedded within a subassembly, component, or part;
(ii) Parent item (as defined in 252.211-7003(a)) that contains the embedded subassembly, component, or part;
(iii) Warranted serialized item;
(iv) Item of special tooling or special test equipment, as defined at FAR 2.101, for a major defense acquisition program that is designated for preservation and storage in accordance with the requirements of section 815 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Pub. L. 110-417); and
(v) High risk item identified by the requiring activity as vulnerable to supply chain threat, a target of cyber threats, or counterfeiting.
(b) Exceptions. The contractor will not be required to provide DoD item unique identification if—
(1) The items, as determined by the head of the contracting activity, are to be used to support a contingency or humanitarian or peacekeeping operation; to facilitate defense against or recovery from nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological attack; to facilitate the provision of international disaster assistance; or to support response to an emergency or major disaster; or
(2) A determination and findings has been executed concluding that it is more cost effective for the Government requiring activity to assign, mark, and register the unique item identifier after delivery, and the item is either acquired from a small business concern, or is a commercial product acquired under FAR part 12 or 8.
(i) The determination and findings shall be executed by—
(A) The Component Acquisition Executive for an acquisition category (ACAT) I program; or
(B) The head of the contracting activity for all other programs.
(ii) The DoD Unique Identification Policy Office must receive a copy of the determination and findings required by paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this subsection. Follow the procedures at PGI 211.274-2.
Sections it refers to
- 245.402-71 Delivery of contractor-acquired property.
- 252.211-7003 Item Unique Identification and Valuation.
- 2.101 Definitions.
← 211.274-1 General. · 211.274-3 Policy for valuation. →
Rule changes for DFARS Part 211
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Inflation Adjustment of Acquisition-Related Thresholds (DFARS Case 2024-D002) ↗ · final rule 2025-08-25 · effective 2025-10-01
- 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: Sustainable Procurement (DFARS Case 2024-D024) ↗ · final rule 2024-08-15 · effective 2024-08-15
Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.