FAR and DFARS › DFARS Part 225: Foreign Acquisition › Subpart 225.70
DFARS 225.7017-3 Exceptions.
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 lists exceptions to the requirement that contractors use domestic photovoltaic devices in covered DoD contracts above the simplified acquisition threshold. It allows use of photovoltaic devices from qualifying countries, and in certain cost or trade-agreement situations, foreign devices instead of domestic ones.
Applies to: DoD contractors using photovoltaic devices in covered contracts above the simplified acquisition threshold
Key terms: covered contract · photovoltaic devices · qualifying country · simplified acquisition threshold · Free Trade Agreement
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
DoD requires the contractor to utilize domestic photovoltaic devices in covered contracts that exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, with the following exceptions:
(a) Qualifying country. Qualifying country photovoltaic devices may be utilized in any covered contract, because 225.103(a)(i)(A) provides an exception to the Buy American statute for products of qualifying countries, as defined in 225.003.
(b) Buy American—unreasonable cost. For a covered contract that utilizes photovoltaic devices valued at less than $174,000, the exception for unreasonable cost may apply (see FAR 25.103(c)). If the cost of a foreign photovoltaic device plus 50 percent is less than the cost of a domestic photovoltaic device, then the foreign photovoltaic device may be utilized.
(c) Trade agreements—(1) Free Trade Agreements. For a covered contract that utilizes photovoltaic devices , photovoltaic devices may be utilized from a country covered under the acquisition by a Free Trade Agreement, depending upon dollar threshold (see FAR subpart 25.4).
(2) World Trade Organization—Government Procurement Agreement. For covered contracts that utilize photovoltaic devices that are valued at $174,000 or more, only U.S.-made photovoltaic devices, designated country photovoltaic devices, or qualifying country photovoltaic devices may be utilized.
← 225.7017-2 Restriction. · 225.7017-4 Solicitation provision and contract clause. →
Rule changes for DFARS Part 225
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Modifications to Printed Circuit Board Acquisition Restrictions (DFARS Case 2022-D011) ↗ · proposed 2026-07-02 · comments due 2026-08-31
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Small Purchase Exception for the Acquisition of U.S. Flags (DFARS Case 2024-D013) ↗ · proposed 2026-06-25 · comments due 2026-08-24
- 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; Technical Amendments ↗ · final rule 2025-08-25 · effective 2025-08-25
- 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 2024-12-18 · effective 2024-12-18
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Inapplicability of Additional Defense-Unique Laws and Certain Non-Statutory DFARS Clauses to Commercial Item Contracts (DFARS Case 2018-D074) ↗ · final rule 2024-11-15 · effective 2024-11-25
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Technical Amendments ↗ · final rule 2024-11-15 · effective 2024-11-15
Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.