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FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 8: Required Sources of Supplies and Services

FAR 8.004 Use of other sources.

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 tells agencies what to do when they cannot meet their needs through the mandatory sources in 8.002 and 8.003. Agencies are encouraged to first consider the non-mandatory sources in paragraph (a), such as Federal Supply Schedules and Governmentwide acquisition contracts, before turning to commercial sources in the open market under paragraph (b). When using non-mandatory sources, agencies must consider small business concerns as described in 7.105(b) and part 19.

Applies to: Agencies that cannot satisfy requirements for supplies and services from mandatory sources

What it requires

  • When satisfying requirements from non-mandatory sources, see 7.105(b) and part 19 regarding consideration of small business concerns

Key terms: mandatory sources · non-mandatory sources · Federal Supply Schedules · Governmentwide acquisition contracts · blanket purchase agreements (BPAs)

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

The text

If an agency is unable to satisfy requirements for supplies and services from the mandatory sources listed in 8.002 and 8.003, agencies are encouraged to consider satisfying requirements from or through the non-mandatory sources listed in paragraph (a) of this section (not listed in any order of priority) before considering the non-mandatory source listed in paragraph (b) of this section. When satisfying requirements from non-mandatory sources, see 7.105(b) and part 19 regarding consideration of small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business (including 8(a) participants), and women-owned small business concerns.

(a)(1) Supplies. Federal Supply Schedules, Governmentwide acquisition contracts, multi-agency contracts, and any other procurement instruments intended for use by multiple agencies, including blanket purchase agreements (BPAs) under Federal Supply Schedule contracts (e.g., Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative (FSSI) agreements accessible at http://www.gsa.gov/fssi (see also 5.601)).

(2) Services. Agencies are encouraged to consider Federal Prison Industries, Inc., as well as the sources listed in paragraph (a)(1) of this section (see subpart 8.6).

(b) Commercial sources (including educational and non-profit institutions) in the open market.

Sections it refers to

  • 8.002 Priorities for use of mandatory Government sources.
  • 8.003 Use of other mandatory sources.
  • 7.105 Contents of written acquisition plans.
  • 5.601 Governmentwide database of contracts.

Sections that refer to it

← 8.003 Use of other mandatory sources. · 8.005 Contract clause. →

Rule changes for FAR Part 8

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

FAR 8.004 Use of other sources · SpendQuery