FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 38: Federal Supply Schedule Contracting
FAR 38.000 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 38 sets the policies and procedures for buying supplies and services through the Federal Supply Schedule program, which is run by the General Services Administration (GSA). It also notes that GSA can delegate some responsibilities to other agencies, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs for medical supplies, and that the Department of Defense runs a separate schedule system that is not part of the Federal Supply Schedule program.
Applies to: Contracting for supplies and services under the Federal Supply Schedule program
Key terms: Federal Supply Schedule program · General Services Administration (GSA) · VA Federal Supply Schedules Program · Department of Defense · schedule contracting
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
This part prescribes policies and procedures for contracting for supplies and services under the Federal Supply Schedule program, which is directed and managed by the General Services Administration (see Subpart 8.4, Federal Supply Schedules, for additional information). GSA may delegate certain responsibilities to other agencies (e.g., GSA has delegated authority to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to procure medical supplies under the VA Federal Supply Schedules Program). The VA Federal Supply Schedules Program is covered by this subpart. Additionally, the Department of Defense manages a similar system of schedule contracting for military items; however, the Department of Defense systems are not a part of the Federal Supply Schedule program.
Rule changes for FAR Part 38
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Revolutionary FAR Overhaul Parts 8, 12, 13, 15, 38, 44, and 51 ↗ · proposed 2026-09-18 · comments due 2026-10-19
Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.