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FAR and DFARS › DFARS Part 236: Construction and Architect-engineer Contracts › Subpart 236.2

DFARS 236.272 Prequalification of sources.

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 allows prequalification of sources for certain construction projects when needed to ensure timely and efficient performance. It requires written authorization and approved procedures, and includes specific steps to protect small businesses from being improperly excluded.

Applies to: Construction projects and the contracting activity's prequalification procedures

What it requires

  • The head of the contracting activity must authorize prequalification in writing by determining the project is of urgency or complexity that requires it.
  • The head of the contracting activity must approve the prequalification procedures.
  • The prequalification procedures must require the qualifying authority to request a preliminary recommendation from the appropriate SBA regional office if it believes a small business is not responsible.
  • The prequalification procedures must permit the small business to submit a bid or proposal if the preliminary recommendation is that it is responsible.

Key terms: prequalification · qualifying authority · small business · responsible · FAR 19.6

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

The text

(a) Prequalification procedures may be used when necessary to ensure timely and efficient performance of critical construction projects. Prequalification—

(1) Results in a list of sources determined to be qualified to perform a specific construction contract; and

(2) Limits offerors to those with proven competence to perform in the required manner.

(b) The head of the contracting activity must—

(1) Authorize the use of prequalification by determining, in writing, that a construction project is of an urgency or complexity that requires prequalification; and

(2) Approve the prequalification procedures.

(c) For small businesses, the prequalification procedures must require the qualifying authority to—

(1) Request a preliminary recommendation from the appropriate Small Business Administration regional office, if the qualifying authority believes a small business is not responsible;

(2) Permit the small business to submit a bid or proposal if the preliminary recommendation is that the small business is responsible; and

(3) Follow the procedures in FAR 19.6, if the small business is in line for award and is found nonresponsible.

← 236.271 Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts. · 236.273 Construction in foreign countries. →

Rule changes for DFARS Part 236

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

DFARS 236.272 Prequalification of sources · SpendQuery