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FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 6: Competition Requirements › Subpart 6.5

FAR 6.501 Requirement.

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 requires each executive agency to designate an advocate for competition for the agency and for each of its procuring activities. The advocate must be separate from the senior procurement executive and must be given staff or assistance as needed to perform the role. It matters to contractors because it establishes who within an agency is responsible for promoting competition in procurement.

Applies to: Executive agencies and their procuring activities

What it requires

  • Designate an advocate for competition for the agency and for each procuring activity
  • Ensure the advocate is not the agency senior procurement executive
  • Do not assign the advocate duties or responsibilities inconsistent with 6.502
  • Provide the advocate with staff or assistance as necessary

Key terms: advocate for competition · procuring activity · senior procurement executive · 41 U.S.C. 1705

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

The text

As required by 41 U.S.C. 1705, the head of each executive agency shall designate an advocate for competition for the agency and for each procuring activity of the agency. The advocates for competition shall—

(a) Be in positions other than that of the agency senior procurement executive;

(b) Not be assigned any duties or responsibilities that are inconsistent with 6.502; and

(c) Be provided with staff or assistance (e.g., specialists in engineering, technical operations, contract administration, financial management, supply management, and utilization of small business concerns), as may be necessary to carry out the advocate's duties and responsibilities.

Sections it refers to

  • 6.502 Duties and responsibilities.

Sections that refer to it

  • 6.304 Approval of the justification.
  • 13.501 Special documentation requirements.

← 6.401 Sealed bidding and competitive proposals. · 6.502 Duties and responsibilities. →

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 6.501 Requirement · SpendQuery