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FAR and DFARS › DFARS Part 217: Special Contracting Methods › Subpart 217.74

DFARS 217.7404-1 Authorization.

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 the contracting officer to get approval from the head of the contracting activity before entering into an undefinitized contract action (UCA), adding non-urgent spare parts and support equipment to a UCA, or modifying a UCA's scope after performance has begun. It matters because it adds a high-level approval step that can affect whether and how quickly a UCA is used or changed.

Applies to: Contracting officers using undefinitized contract actions (UCAs)

What it requires

  • Obtain approval from the head of the contracting activity before entering into a UCA
  • In the approval request for a UCA, fully explain the need to begin performance before definitization, including adverse impact on agency requirements from delays in beginning performance
  • Obtain approval from the head of the contracting activity before including requirements for non-urgent spare parts and support equipment in a UCA
  • Obtain approval from the head of the contracting activity before modifying the scope of a UCA when performance has already begun

Key terms: UCA · definitization · head of the contracting activity · non-urgent spare parts and support equipment · scope

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

The text

The contracting officer shall obtain approval from the head of the contracting activity before—

(a) Entering into a UCA. The request for approval must fully explain the need to begin performance before definitization, including the adverse impact on agency requirements resulting from delays in beginning performance.

(b) Including requirements for non-urgent spare parts and support equipment in a UCA. The request should show that inclusion of the non-urgent items is consistent with good business practices and in the best interest of the United States.

(c) Modifying the scope of a UCA when performance has already begun. The request should show that the modification is consistent with good business practices and in the best interests of the United States.

Sections that refer to it

← 217.7404 Limitations. · 217.7404-2 Price ceiling. →

Rule changes for DFARS Part 217

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

DFARS 217.7404-1 Authorization · SpendQuery