FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 39: Acquisition of Information Technology › Subpart 39.2
FAR 39.203 Applicability.
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 when acquisitions of information and communication technology (ICT) supplies and services must meet accessibility standards. It covers exceptions, indefinite-quantity contracts, task orders, commercial products, and legacy ICT, and it matters because contractors need to know which accessibility requirements apply to their deliverables.
Applies to: Acquisitions of ICT supplies and services by federal agencies
What it requires
- Ensure acquisitions for ICT supplies and services meet the applicable ICT accessibility standards at 36 CFR 1194.1, unless an exception or exemption applies.
- For indefinite-quantity contracts, identify which supplies and services the contractor indicates as compliant and show where full details of compliance can be found.
- At the time of issuance of a task order or delivery order under an indefinite-quantity contract, ensure compliance with the ICT accessibility standards and document an exception or exemption if applicable.
- When altering any component or portion of existing ICT after January 18, 2018, modify it to conform to the current ICT accessibility standards in 36 CFR 1194.1.
Key terms: ICT · indefinite-quantity contract · task order · delivery order · legacy ICT
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
(a) General. Unless an exception at 39.204 or an exemption at 39.205 applies, acquisitions for ICT supplies and services shall meet the applicable ICT accessibility standards at 36 CFR 1194.1.
(b) Indefinite-quantity contracts. Confirmation of an exception or a determination of an exemption is not required prior to award of an indefinite-quantity contract, except for requirements that are to be satisfied by initial award. The contract must identify which supplies and services the contractor indicates as compliant and show where full details of compliance can be found (e.g., vendor's or other exact website location).
(c) Task order or delivery order. At the time of issuance of a task order or delivery order under an indefinite-quantity contract, the requiring and ordering activities shall ensure compliance with the ICT accessibility standards and document an exception or exemption if applicable. Any task order or delivery order, or portion thereof, issued for a noncompliant ICT item shall be supported by the appropriate exception or exemption documented by the requiring activity.
(d) Commercial products and commercial services. When acquiring commercial products and commercial services, an agency must comply with those ICT accessibility standards that can be met with supplies or services that are available in the commercial marketplace and that best address the agency's needs, but see 39.205(a)(3).
(e) Legacy ICT. Any component or portion of existing ICT (i.e., ICT that was procured, maintained, or used on or before January 18, 2018) is not required to comply with the current ICT accessibility standards if it—
(1) Complies with an earlier standard issued pursuant to section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d), which is set forth in Appendix D to 36 CFR 1194.1); and
(2) Has not been altered (i.e., a change that affects interoperability, the user interface, or access to information or data) after January 18, 2018.
(f) Alterations of legacy ICT. When altering any component or portion of existing ICT, after January 18, 2018, the component or portion must be modified to conform to the current ICT accessibility standards in 36 CFR 1194.1.
Sections that refer to it
- 39.204 Exceptions.
← 39.202 Definition. · 39.204 Exceptions. →
Rule changes for FAR Part 39
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul Parts 1, 2, 4, 33, 39, 40, and 53 ↗ · proposed 2026-06-23 · comments due 2026-07-23
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Prohibition on Certain Semiconductor Products and Services ↗ · proposed 2026-02-17 · comments due 2026-04-20
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Strengthening America's Cybersecurity Workforce ↗ · proposed 2025-01-03 · comments due 2025-03-04
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Prohibition on Unmanned Aircraft Systems From Covered Foreign Entities ↗ · final rule 2024-12-30
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Prohibition on Unmanned Aircraft Systems From Covered Foreign Entities ↗ · final rule 2024-11-12 · effective 2024-11-12
- Federal Acquisition Regulation; Technical Amendments ↗ · final rule 2024-04-22 · effective 2024-05-22
- 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.