FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 39: Acquisition of Information Technology › Subpart 39.1

FAR 39.101 Policy.

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

FAR 39.101 sets out the policy for how agencies acquire information technology. It requires agencies to identify requirements based on various laws and policies, and it imposes several prohibitions on contractors, including bans on Kaspersky Lab products, covered telecommunications equipment or services, TikTok, and certain unmanned aircraft systems. Contractors need to be aware of these restrictions because they affect what products and services can be offered to the government.

Applies to: Agencies acquiring information technology and contractors providing such technology

What it requires

  • Contracting officers shall not purchase any hardware, software, or services developed or provided by Kaspersky Lab for Government use on or after October 1, 2018.
  • Contracting officers shall not procure or obtain, or extend or renew a contract to procure or obtain, any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component, unless an exception or waiver applies.
  • Agencies are prohibited from entering into or renewing contracts with entities that use covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component, unless an exception or waiver applies.
  • Executive agencies are prohibited from procuring or obtaining any covered article or products or services from a source if prohibited by an applicable FASCSA order.

Key terms: information technology · covered telecommunications equipment or services · covered application · FASCSA order · unmanned aircraft systems

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

The text

(a)(1) In acquiring information technology, agencies shall identify their requirements pursuant to—

(i) OMB Circular A-130, including consideration of security of resources, protection of privacy, national security and emergency preparedness, accessibility for individuals with disabilities, and energy efficiency;

(ii) The requirements for sustainable products and services (as defined in 2.101) in accordance with subpart 23.1;

(iii) Policies to enable power management and other energy-efficient or environmentally preferable features on all agency electronic products; and

(iv) Best management practices for energy-efficient management of servers and Federal data centers.

(2) When developing an acquisition strategy, contracting officers should consider the rapidly changing nature of information technology through market research (see Part 10) and the application of technology refreshment techniques.

(b) Agencies must follow OMB Circular A-127, Financial Management Systems, when acquiring financial management systems. Agencies may acquire only core financial management software certified by the Joint Financial Management Improvement Program.

(c) In acquiring information technology, agencies shall include the appropriate information technology security policies and requirements, including use of common security configurations available from the National Institute of Standards and Technology's Web site at http://checklists.nist.gov. Agency contracting officers should consult with the requiring official to ensure the appropriate standards are incorporated.

(d) When acquiring information technology using Internet Protocol, agencies must include the appropriate Internet Protocol compliance requirements in accordance with 11.002(g).

(e) Contracting officers shall not purchase any hardware, software, or services developed or provided by Kaspersky Lab that the Government will use on or after October 1, 2018. (See 4.2002.)

(f)(1)On or after August 13, 2019, contracting officers shall not procure or obtain, or extend or renew a contract to procure or obtain, any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system on or after August 13, 2019, unless an exception applies or a waiver is granted. (See subpart 4.21.)

(2) On or after August 13, 2020, agencies are prohibited from entering into a contract, or extending or renewing a contract, with an entity that uses any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system, unless an exception applies or a waiver is granted (see subpart 4.21). This prohibition applies to the use of covered telecommunications equipment or services, regardless of whether that use is in performance of work under a Federal contract.

(g) See the prohibition in 4.2202 on the presence or use of a covered application (“TikTok”).

(h) Executive agencies are prohibited from procuring or obtaining, or extending or renewing a contract to procure or obtain, any covered article, or any products or services produced or provided by a source, including contractor use of covered articles or sources, if prohibited from doing so by an applicable FASCSA order issued by the Director of National Intelligence, Secretary of Defense, or Secretary of Homeland Security (see 4.2303).

(i) Executive agencies must comply with the prohibitions on unmanned aircraft systems (e.g., drones) in accordance with 40.202.

Sections it refers to

  • 2.101 Definitions.
  • 11.002 Policy.
  • 4.2002 Prohibition.
  • 4.2202 Prohibition.
  • 4.2303 FASCSA orders.
  • 40.202 Prohibition on the procurement and operation of unmanned aircraft systems manufactured or assembled by American Security Drone Act-covered foreign entities.

← 39.002 Definitions. · 39.102 Management of risk. →

Rule changes for FAR Part 39

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

FAR 39.101 Policy · SpendQuery