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FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 8: Required Sources of Supplies and Services › Subpart 8.7

FAR 8.706 Purchase exceptions.

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 an ordering office may buy supplies or services on the Procurement List from commercial sources instead of through the AbilityOne program. It can do so only if a purchase exception is granted, and the section sets out when exceptions must be granted and what the contracting officer must do afterward.

Applies to: Ordering offices and contracting officers acquiring items on the Procurement List

What it requires

  • Obtain a purchase exception before acquiring Procurement List supplies or services from commercial sources
  • Initiate purchase action within 15 days following the date of the exception or any extension granted by the central nonprofit agency
  • Provide a copy of the solicitation to the central nonprofit agency when it is issued

Key terms: Procurement List · purchase exception · central nonprofit agency · AbilityOne participating nonprofit agencies · Committee

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

The text

(a) Ordering offices may acquire supplies or services on the Procurement List from commercial sources only if the acquisition is specifically authorized in a purchase exception granted by the designated central nonprofit agency.

(b) The central nonprofit agency shall promptly grant purchase exceptions when—

(1) The AbilityOne participating nonprofit agencies cannot provide the supplies or services within the time required, and commercial sources can provide them significantly sooner in the quantities required; or

(2) The quantity required cannot be produced or provided economically by the AbilityOne participating nonprofit agencies.

(c) The central nonprofit agency granting the exception shall specify the quantity and delivery or performance period covered by the exception.

(d) When a purchase exception is granted, the contracting officer shall—

(1) Initiate purchase action within 15 days following the date of the exception or any extension granted by the central nonprofit agency; and

(2) Provide a copy of the solicitation to the central nonprofit agency when it is issued.

(e) The Committee may also grant a purchase exception, under any circumstances it considers appropriate.

Sections that refer to it

← 8.705-4 Compliance with orders. · 8.707 Prices. →

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 8.706 Purchase exceptions · SpendQuery