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FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 6: Competition Requirements › Subpart 6.3

FAR 6.304 Approval of the justification.

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 specifies who must approve a written justification for using other than full and open competition in a contract award. The required approval level depends on the estimated contract value, including options, and certain high-level approvals cannot be delegated. It matters because contractors need to know that a valid justification must be approved at the correct level before a sole-source or limited-competition award can proceed.

Applies to: Contracting officers and agencies awarding contracts without full and open competition

What it requires

  • Obtain written approval of the justification for other than full and open competition at the level specified based on the estimated contract value.
  • Include the estimated dollar value of all options when determining the required approval level.

Key terms: justification for other than full and open competition · contracting officer's certification · advocate for competition · head of the procuring activity · senior procurement executive

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

The text

(a) Except for paragraph (b) of this section, the justification for other than full and open competition shall be approved in writing—

(1) For a proposed contract not exceeding $900,000, the contracting officer's certification required by 6.303-2(b)(12) will serve as approval unless a higher approving level is established in agency procedures.

(2) For a proposed contract over $900,000 but not exceeding $20 million, by the advocate for competition for the procuring activity designated pursuant to 6.501 or an official described in paragraph (a)(3) or (4) of this section. This authority is not delegable.

(3) For a proposed contract over $20 million, but not exceeding $90 million, or, for DoD, NASA, and the Coast Guard, not exceeding $150 million, by the head of the procuring activity, or a designee who—

(i) If a member of the armed forces, is a general or flag officer; or

(ii) If a civilian, is serving in a position in a grade above GS-15 under the General Schedule (or in a comparable or higher position under another schedule).

(4) For a proposed contract over $90 million or, for DoD, NASA, and the Coast Guard, over $150 million, by the senior procurement executive of the agency designated pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 1702(c) in accordance with agency procedures. This authority is not delegable except in the case of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, acting as the senior procurement executive for the Department of Defense.

(b) Any justification for a contract awarded under the authority of 6.302-7, regardless of dollar amount, shall be considered approved when the determination required by 6.302-7(c)(1) is made.

(c) A class justification for other than full and open competition shall be approved in writing in accordance with agency procedures. The approval level shall be determined by the estimated total value of the class.

(d) The estimated dollar value of all options shall be included in determining the approval level of a justification.

Sections it refers to

Sections that refer to it

  • 6.302-1 Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.
  • 6.302-2 Unusual and compelling urgency.
  • 6.302-3 Industrial mobilization; engineering, developmental, or research capability; or expert services.
  • 6.302-4 International agreement.
  • 6.302-5 Authorized or required by statute.
  • 6.302-6 National security.
  • 6.303-1 Requirements.
  • 13.501 Special documentation requirements.
  • 206.302-4 International agreement.
  • 270.102 Policy.

← 6.303-2 Content. · 6.305 Availability of the justification. →

Rule changes for FAR Part 6

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

FAR 6.304 Approval of the justification · SpendQuery