FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 32: Contract Financing › Subpart 32.3
FAR 32.304-1 Application for guarantee.
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 explains how a contractor, subcontractor, or supplier needing operating funds for a national defense contract can apply for a Government loan guarantee. The financing institution, not the contractor, applies to the Federal Reserve Bank, which processes the application and forwards it to the guaranteeing agency for an eligibility decision.
Applies to: Contractors, subcontractors, or suppliers needing operating funds for national defense contracts, and their financing institutions.
Key terms: guarantee · financing institution · Federal Reserve Bank · guaranteeing agency · defense contracts
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
(a) A contractor, subcontractor, or supplier that needs operating funds to perform a contract related to national defense may apply to a financing institution for a loan. If the financing institution is willing to extend credit, but considers a Government guarantee necessary, the institution may apply to the Federal Reserve Bank of its district for the guarantee. Application forms and guidance are available at all Federal Reserve Banks.
(b) The Federal Reserve Bank will promptly send a copy of the application, including a list of the relevant defense contracts held by the contractor, to the Federal Reserve Board. The Board will transmit the application and the list of contracts to the interested guaranteeing agency, so that the agency can determine the eligibility of the contractor.
(c) To expedite the process, the Federal Reserve Bank may, pursuant to instructions of a guaranteeing agency, submit lists of the defense contracts to the interested contracting officers.
(d) While eligibility is being determined, the Federal Reserve Bank will make any necessary credit investigations to supplement the information furnished by the applicant financing institution in order to—
(1) Expedite necessary defense financing; and
(2) Protect the Government against monetary loss.
(e) The Federal Reserve Bank will send its report and recommendation to the Federal Reserve Board. The Board will transmit them to the interested guaranteeing agency.
Sections that refer to it
- 32.304-4 Guarantee amount and maturity.
← 32.304 Procedures. · 32.304-2 Certificate of eligibility. →
Rule changes for FAR Part 32
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Inflation Adjustment of Acquisition-Related Thresholds ↗ · final rule 2025-08-27 · effective 2025-10-01
- Federal Acquisition Regulation; Technical Amendments ↗ · final rule 2025-08-07 · effective 2025-08-07
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Inflation Adjustment of Acquisition-Related Thresholds ↗ · proposed 2024-11-29 · comments due 2025-01-28
Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.