FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 37: Service Contracting
FAR 37.000 Scope of part.
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 that FAR Part 37 sets out policy and procedures specifically for buying and managing services by contract. It applies to all service contracts and orders, whatever the contract type or kind of service, and it calls for using performance-based acquisitions as much as practicable. Other parts (35, 36, 39, 47) cover certain service types and take precedence if there is a conflict.
Applies to: All contracts and orders for services
What it requires
- Use performance-based acquisitions for services to the maximum extent practicable
Key terms: performance-based acquisitions · services · contract type · orders
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
This part prescribes policy and procedures that are specific to the acquisition and management of services by contract. This part applies to all contracts and orders for services regardless of the contract type or kind of service being acquired. This part requires the use of performance-based acquisitions for services to the maximum extent practicable and prescribes policies and procedures for use of performance-based acquisition methods (see Subpart 37.6). Additional guidance for research and development services is in part 35; architect-engineering services is in part 36; information technology is in part 39; and transportation services is in part 47. Parts 35, 36, 39, and 47 take precedence over this part in the event of inconsistencies. This part includes, but is not limited to, contracts for services to which 41 U.S.C. chapter 67, Service Contract Labor Standards, applies (see subpart 22.10).
Rule changes for FAR Part 37
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul Parts 6, 7, 10, 18, 26, 37, and 41 ↗ · proposed 2026-06-23 · comments due 2026-07-23
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Preventing Organizational Conflicts of Interest in Federal Acquisition ↗ · proposed 2025-01-15 · comments due 2025-03-17
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Sustainable Procurement ↗ · final rule 2024-04-22 · effective 2024-05-22
Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.