FAR and DFARS › DFARS Part 216: Types of Contracts › Subpart 216.5
DFARS 216.505 Ordering.
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 covers ordering under indefinite-delivery contracts, including the use of DD Form 1155 and requirements for fair opportunity on multiple-award contracts. It also mandates consideration of Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) risk assessments in award decisions and sets debriefing requirements for large orders. Contractors should be aware of these procedures because they affect how orders are placed and evaluated.
Applies to: Contracting officers placing orders under indefinite-delivery contracts, including multiple-award contracts, and contractors receiving such orders.
What it requires
- Contracting officers shall ensure SPRS assessments of price risk and supplier risk are considered as part of the award decision.
- When placing an order for an end product with a material identifier and item risk was not previously considered, the contracting officer shall also consider SPRS assessments of item risk.
- Use the provision at 252.204-7024, Notice on the Use of the Supplier Performance Risk System, as prescribed in 204.7604 to the extent permitted by the contract.
- For orders exceeding $15 million, provide a written or oral postaward debriefing to successful and unsuccessful awardees.
Key terms: indefinite-delivery contracts · DD Form 1155 · simplified acquisition threshold · Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) · fair opportunity
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
(a) General.
(6) Orders placed under indefinite-delivery contracts may be issued on DD Form 1155, Order for Supplies or Services.
(S-70) Departments and agencies shall comply with the review, approval, and reporting requirements established in accordance with subpart 217.7 when placing orders under non-DoD contracts in amounts exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold.
(S-71) See 204.7603 for procedures on the required use of the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) risk assessments.
(i) The contracting officer shall ensure SPRS assessments of price risk and supplier risk are considered as a part of the award decision.
(ii) When placing an order for an end product identified by a material identifier that is available as described at PGI 204.7603, and item risk was not previously considered during award of the contract, the contracting officer shall also consider SPRS assessments of item risk in the award decision.
(iii) Use the provision at 252.204-7024, Notice on the Use of the Supplier Performance Risk System, as prescribed in 204.7604 to the extent permitted by the contract.
(b) Orders under multiple-award contracts—(1) Fair opportunity.
(A) See 215.101-2-70 for the limitations and prohibitions on the use of the lowest price technically acceptable source selection process, which are applicable to orders placed against multiple award indefinite delivery contracts.
(B) See 217.7801 for the prohibition on the use of reverse auctions for personal protective equipment and aviation critical safety items.
(2) Exceptions to the fair opportunity process. For an order exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, that is a follow-on to an order previously issued for the same supply or service based on a justification for an exception to fair opportunity citing the authority at FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B) or (C), follow the procedures at PGI 216.505(b)(2).
(6) Postaward notices and debriefing of awardees for orders exceeding $7.5 million. In addition to the notice required at FAR 16.505(b)(6), a written or oral postaward debriefing of successful and unsuccessful awardees is required for task orders and delivery orders valued at $15 million or more (section 818 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (Pub. L. 115-91)).
(ii) Follow the procedures at 215.506 and 215.506-70 when providing the postaward debriefing to successful and unsuccessful awardees for task orders or delivery orders valued at $15 million or more.
Sections it refers to
- 204.7603 Procedures.
- 252.204-7024 Notice on the Use of the Supplier Performance Risk System.
- 204.7604 Solicitation provision.
- 215.101-2 Lowest price technically acceptable source selection process.
- 217.7801 Prohibition.
- 16.505 Ordering.
- 215.506 Postaward debriefing of offerors.
- 215.506-70 Opportunity for follow-up questions.
← 216.504 Indefinite-quantity contracts. · 216.505-70 Orders under multiple-award contracts. →
Rule changes for DFARS Part 216
- 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: Task Order and Delivery Order Contracting for Architectural and Engineering Services (DFARS Case 2023-D007) ↗ · final rule 2024-12-18 · effective 2024-12-18
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Task Order and Delivery Order Contracting for Architectural and Engineering Services (DFARS Case 2023-D007) ↗ · proposed 2024-07-29 · comments due 2024-09-27
Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.