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What is the FAR, and which parts does a first-time federal bidder actually need to read?

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  • Nadia, you do not need to read 53 parts of the FAR to understand the clauses in your RFQ.
  • Most of what you need to know about the FAR for a specific RFQ is in FAR Part 52, which lists the clauses and provisions by their full text, and you can search for a specific clause by its number.
  • For DIBBS, the system automatically inserts the required clauses into the RFQ based on the item, the value, and t
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Every federal Request for Quotation we get for our WOSB-certified management consulting services lists dozens of FAR clauses by number in Section K. I opened acquisition.gov and found 53 parts to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). I am trying to figure out which parts of the FAR I actually need to read to understand these solicitations.

We are a small services business, NAICS 541611. We are looking at a federal RFQ due next week for a small business set-aside. I have been told I need to understand the FAR clauses, but it looks like a lot of reading. How do you find the handful of parts that matter for a small services bidder? How do you read a clause reference like FAR 52.212-5 without a lawyer?

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asked Nadia F. Verified vendorWOSB owner, management consulting · Minneapolis, MN · 477 rep

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Nadia, you do not need to read 53 parts of the FAR to understand the clauses in your RFQ. Most of what you need to know about the FAR for a specific RFQ is in FAR Part 52, which lists the clauses and provisions by their full text, and you can search for a specific clause by its number. For DIBBS, the system automatically inserts the required clauses into the RFQ based on the item, the value, and the type of solicitation, such as a small business set-aside. The contracting officer confirms these clauses are appropriate for the specific RFQ. You can also find explanations of common clauses from your local APEX Accelerator (formerly PTAC).

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answered Dave H. Verified vendorParts distributor, DLA and DIBBS · Dayton, OH · 228 rep
Thanks, Dave. I will focus on FAR Part 52 for the clauses in the RFQ. I also appreciate the reminder about the APEX Accelerator, I will reach out to them for explanations of common clauses. · Nadia F. ·
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The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) governs federal government contracting, and for a first-time federal bidder, understanding FAR Parts 1, 2, 4, 5, 13, 15, and 19 will provide a solid foundation.

FAR Part 1 introduces the purpose, authority, and applicability of the FAR. Part 2 defines terms. Part 4 covers administrative matters like required registrations. Part 5 explains publicizing contract actions, such as where solicitations are posted on SAM.gov. Part 13 details simplified acquisition procedures, which are often used for small services contracts. Part 15 covers contracting by negotiation, which applies to many Request for Proposal (RFP) and Request for Quotation (RFQ) actions. Part 19 is critical, as it addresses small business programs and set-aside procedures. Reading the introductory sections of these parts and looking at the associated clauses in FAR Part 52 will provide context for the clauses listed in Section K of your RFQ. A clause reference like FAR 52.212-5 means Part 52, Section 212, Subsection 5.

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answered Dana K. Retired contracting officer, 22 years · Alexandria, VA · 141 rep

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Sign up to answerCite the FAR clause or procurement code where you can.

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