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FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 9: Contractor Qualifications › Subpart 9.4

FAR 9.402 Policy.

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 states that agencies may only award contracts to and consent to subcontracts with responsible contractors, and that debarment and suspension are discretionary tools used to enforce that policy. It emphasizes that debarment and suspension are for protecting the Government's interest, not for punishment, and must follow the causes and procedures in this subpart. It also encourages coordination among agencies and requires the Interagency Suspension and Debarment Committee to resolve lead agency issues when multiple agencies are interested.

Applies to: Agencies awarding contracts and consenting to subcontracts

What it requires

  • Solicit offers from, award contracts to, and consent to subcontracts with responsible contractors only
  • Impose debarment or suspension only to protect the Government's interest and only for the causes and procedures in this subpart
  • Establish appropriate procedures to implement the policies and procedures of this subpart

Key terms: responsible contractors · debarment · suspension · Interagency Suspension and Debarment Committee · lead agency

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

The text

(a) Agencies shall solicit offers from, award contracts to, and consent to subcontracts with responsible contractors only. Debarment and suspension are discretionary actions that, taken in accordance with this subpart, are appropriate means to effectuate this policy.

(b) The serious nature of debarment and suspension requires that these remedies be imposed only in the public interest for the Government's protection and not for purposes of punishment. Agencies shall impose debarment or suspension to protect the Government's interest and only for the causes and in accordance with the procedures in this subpart.

(c) Agencies are encouraged to establish methods and procedures for coordinating their debarment or suspension actions.

(d) When more than one agency has an interest in the debarment or suspension of a contractor, the Interagency Suspension and Debarment Committee, established under Executive Order 12549, and authorized by section 873 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Pub. L. 110-417) (31 U.S.C. 6101 note), shall resolve the lead agency issue and coordinate such resolution among all interested agencies prior to the initiation of any suspension, debarment, or related administrative action by any agency.

(e) Agencies shall establish appropriate procedures to implement the policies and procedures of this subpart.

← 9.401 Applicability. · 9.403 Definitions. →

Rule changes for FAR Part 9

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

FAR 9.402 Policy · SpendQuery