FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 5: Publicizing Contract Actions › Subpart 5.5
FAR 5.502 Authority.
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 who can approve paid newspaper advertisements and the authorization needed. It also states that for other media, advance written authorization is generally not required unless the agency head decides otherwise. Contractors should know that newspaper ads require written authorization before placement, while other media may not.
Applies to: Contracting officers and agencies placing advertisements
What it requires
- Contracting officers shall obtain written authorization in accordance with agency procedures before advertising in newspapers.
Key terms: paid advertisements · newspapers · written authorization · agency procedures · other media
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
(a) Newspapers. Authority to approve the publication of paid advertisements in newspapers is vested in the head of each agency (44 U.S.C. 3702). This approval authority may be delegated (5 U.S.C. 302 (b)). Contracting officers shall obtain written authorization in accordance with agency procedures before advertising in newspapers.
(b) Other media. Unless the agency head determines otherwise, advance written authorization is not required to place advertisements in media other than newspapers.
← 5.501 Definitions. · 5.503 Procedures. →
Rule changes for FAR Part 5
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul Parts 5, 24, and 29 ↗ · proposed 2026-06-23 · comments due 2026-07-23
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Inflation Adjustment of Acquisition-Related Thresholds ↗ · final rule 2025-08-27 · effective 2025-10-01
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Controlled Unclassified Information ↗ · proposed 2025-01-15 · comments due 2025-03-17
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Inflation Adjustment of Acquisition-Related Thresholds ↗ · proposed 2024-11-29 · comments due 2025-01-28
- 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.