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FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 3: Improper Business Practices and Personal Conflicts of Interest › Subpart 3.6

FAR 3.603 Responsibilities of the contracting officer.

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 tells the contracting officer when they must get special authorization before awarding a contract. It applies if the officer knows or has reason to believe the contractor is prohibited from receiving an award, but there is a most compelling reason to proceed anyway. It also requires following subpart 9.5 rules for contractors owned or controlled by Government employees.

Applies to: Contracting officers

What it requires

  • Obtain an authorization under 3.602 before awarding a contract if the officer knows or has reason to believe the contractor is prohibited under 3.601 and there is a most compelling reason to award.
  • Comply with subpart 9.5 before awarding a contract to an organization owned or substantially owned or controlled by Government employees.

Key terms: contracting officer · authorization · prohibited · most compelling reason · Government employees

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

The text

(a) Before awarding a contract, the contracting officer shall obtain an authorization under 3.602 if—

(1) The contracting officer knows, or has reason to believe, that a prospective contractor is one to which award is otherwise prohibited under 3.601; and

(2) There is a most compelling reason to make an award to that prospective contractor.

(b) The contracting officer shall comply with the requirements and guidance in subpart 9.5 before awarding a contract to an organization owned or substantially owned or controlled by Government employees.

Sections it refers to

← 3.602 Exceptions. · 3.700 Scope of subpart. →

Rule changes for FAR Part 3

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

FAR 3.603 Responsibilities of the contracting officer · SpendQuery