FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 34: Major System Acquisition
FAR 34.005-3 Concept exploration contracts.
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 says that concept exploration contracts should be relatively short and at planned dollar levels, with work scoped to match the government's budget for that phase. Follow-on contracts for exploration tasks will be awarded only if the concept remains promising, the contractor's progress is acceptable, and it is economically practical.
Applies to: Contracts performed during the concept exploration phase
What it requires
- Keep contracts for the concept exploration phase relatively short and at planned dollar levels whenever practicable.
- Ensure the scope of work for the concept exploration phase is consistent with the Government's planned budget for that phase.
Key terms: concept exploration phase · follow-on contracts · scope of work · planned dollar levels
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
Whenever practicable, contracts to be performed during the concept exploration phase shall be for relatively short periods, at planned dollar levels. These contracts are to refine the proposed concept and to reduce the concept's technical uncertainties. The scope of work for this phase of the program shall be consistent with the Government's planned budget for the phase. Follow-on contracts for such tasks in the exploration phase shall be awarded as long as the concept approach remains promising, the contractor's progress is acceptable, and it is economically practicable to do so.
← 34.005-2 Mission-oriented solicitation. · 34.005-4 Demonstration contracts. →
Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.