View Rule

DoD, GSA, and NASA are issuing a final rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement regulatory changes regarding procedures for the use of small business partial set-asides, reserves, and orders placed under multiple-award contracts. This rule incorporates statutory requirements in section 1331 of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 (15 U.S.C. 644(r)) and regulatory requirements in the Small Business Administration's final rule dated October 2, 2013.

Due to their inherent flexibility, competitive nature, and administrative efficiency, multiple award contracts are commonly used in Federal procurement. They have proven to be an effective means of contracting for large quantities of supplies and services for which the quantity and delivery requirements cannot be definitively determined at contract award. However, prior to 2011, the FAR was largely silent on the use of acquisition strategies to promote small business participation in conjunction with multiple-award contracts. This rule increases small business participation in Federal prime contracts by ensuring that small businesses have greater access to multiple award contracts, clarifying the procedures for partially setting aside and reserving multiple-award contracts for small business; and setting aside orders placed under multiple-award contracts for small business. This rule ensures that small businesses will have greater access to these commonly used vehicles.