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FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 51: Use of Government Sources by Contractors › Subpart 51.1

FAR 51.101 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

This section explains when contracting officers may let contractors buy supplies or services from Government supply sources instead of the open market. It matters because it can change where a contractor is allowed or required to obtain items used on a Government contract. It also covers security equipment for certain fixed-price contracts and mandatory supplies from specified agencies.

Applies to: Contractors performing Government contracts, including cost-reimbursement and certain negotiated and fixed-price contracts

What it requires

  • Contractors purchasing supply items for Government use that are available from the Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled must be authorized to purchase such items from DLA, GSA, and VA if available through their distribution facilities.
  • Mandatory supplies not available from DLA/GSA/VA must be ordered through the appropriate central nonprofit agency.

Key terms: Government supply sources · cost-reimbursement contracts · negotiated contracts · security classified information · Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled

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

The text

(a) If it is in the Government's interest, and if supplies or services required in the performance of a Government contract are available from Government supply sources, contracting officers may authorize contractors to use these sources in performing—

(1) Government cost-reimbursement contracts;

(2) Other types of negotiated contracts when the agency determines that a substantial dollar portion of the contractor's contracts are of a Government cost-reimbursement nature; or

(3) A contract under 41 U.S.C. chapter 85, Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, if—

(i) The nonprofit agency requesting use of the supplies and services is providing a commodity or service to the Federal Government; and

(ii) The supplies or services received are directly used in making or providing a commodity or service, approved by the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, to the Federal Government (See Subpart 8.7).

(b) Contractors with fixed-price Government contracts that require protection of security classified information may acquire security equipment through GSA sources (see 41 CFR 101-26.507).

(c) Contracting officers shall authorize contractors purchasing supply items for Government use that are available from the Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled (see subpart 8.7) to purchase such items from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), the General Services Administration (GSA), and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) if they are available from these agencies through their distribution facilities. Mandatory supplies that are not available from DLA/GSA/VA shall be ordered through the appropriate central nonprofit agency (see 52.208-9(c)).

Sections it refers to

  • 52.208-9 Contractor Use of Mandatory Sources of Supply or Services.

Sections that refer to it

← 51.100 Scope of subpart. · 51.102 Authorization to use Government supply sources. →

Rule changes for FAR Part 51

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

FAR 51.101 Policy · SpendQuery