FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 6: Competition Requirements › Subpart 6.3
FAR 6.302-4 International agreement.
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 6.302-4 allows agencies to award contracts without full and open competition when an international agreement or treaty with a foreign government or international organization precludes competition, or when a foreign government reimbursing the acquisition provides written direction specifying a particular firm. This matters because it provides a specific exception to competition requirements, but for most agencies (except DoD, NASA, and the Coast Guard), the contract must be supported by written justifications and approvals.
Applies to: Acquisitions subject to international agreements or treaties, or reimbursed by a foreign government with written direction.
What it requires
- For agencies other than DoD, NASA, and the Coast Guard, support contracts awarded using this authority with written justifications and approvals as described in FAR 6.303 and 6.304.
Key terms: full and open competition · international agreement · treaty · written directions · justifications and approvals
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
(a) Authority. (1) Citations: 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(4) or 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(4).
(2) Full and open competition need not be provided for when precluded by the terms of an international agreement or a treaty between the United States and a foreign government or international organization, or the written directions of a foreign government reimbursing the agency for the cost of the acquisition of the supplies or services for such government.
(b) Application. This authority may be used in circumstances such as—
(1) When a contemplated acquisition is to be reimbursed by a foreign country that requires that the product be obtained from a particular firm as specified in official written direction such as a Letter of Offer and Acceptance; or
(2) When a contemplated acquisition is for services to be performed, or supplies to be used, in the sovereign territory of another country and the terms of a treaty or agreement specify or limit the sources to be solicited.
(c) Limitations. Except for DoD, NASA, and the Coast Guard, contracts awarded using this authority shall be supported by written justifications and approvals described in 6.303 and 6.304.
Sections that refer to it
- 225.7304 FMS customer involvement.
- 225.7702-1 Acquisition of small arms.
← 6.302-3 Industrial mobilization; engineering, developmental, or research capability; or expert services. · 6.302-5 Authorized or required by statute. →
Rule changes for FAR Part 6
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul Parts 6, 7, 10, 18, 26, 37, and 41 ↗ · 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: Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer Programs ↗ · proposed 2025-06-12
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Certification of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses ↗ · final rule 2024-12-16 · effective 2024-12-16
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Inflation Adjustment of Acquisition-Related Thresholds ↗ · proposed 2024-11-29 · comments due 2025-01-28
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Certification of Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses ↗ · final rule 2024-02-23 · effective 2024-02-23
Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.