1.2 FAR Structure, System Architecture & Authority

1.2 FAR Structure, System Architecture & Authority

The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is located in Title 48, Chapter 1 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Agency acquisition regulations occupy other chapters. The October 1, 2026 exam FAQ states that correct exam answers reflect the RFO-updated FAR and DFARS. The RFO is implemented through deviations; check the agency's current implementation for real acquisitions.

Structure and citations

The familiar organization uses eight subchapters, A through H, with numbered parts ranging from 1 through 53. Reserved parts mean that this range is not a count of 53 active substantive parts.

For RFO 1.402-1(a), 1 identifies the part, .4 the subpart, 02 the section, -1 the subsection and (a) the paragraph. Older course materials may cite CO authority at 1.602-1 and ratification at 1.602-3; current RFO references are 1.402-1 and 1.405. RFO deviations are in Subpart 1.3, rather than the former Subpart 1.4. Individual deviations affect one contract action; class deviations affect more than one. Agency supplements and deviations must follow the applicable approval requirements and cannot disregard statute.

Contracting officer appointment and delegated authority

Under RFO 1.402-1, only contracting officers may sign, administer or terminate contracts on the Government's behalf, within delegated authority. RFO 1.403-2 requires written appointment on SF 1402, Certificate of Appointment, stating limitations beyond those already imposed by law or regulation. Micro-purchase authority may instead be appointed in writing without using SF 1402.

Agencies determine their warrant structure and individual limits. A general acquisition threshold does not automatically enlarge a warrant. Even an appointment without a stated dollar ceiling remains subject to law, required clearances and delegated functional authority. Certification and passing CON 3990V do not independently create contracting authority.

A COR assists with technical monitoring or administration under a written designation. RFO 1.404 bars the COR from commitments or changes affecting price, quality, quantity, delivery or other contract terms, and bars further delegation of the COR's authority. Delegation of other authorities is governed by the specific rule; RFO 1.107(b) generally permits delegation unless expressly prohibited.

Thresholds: apply the full definition

RFO 2.101 defines a baseline micro-purchase threshold of $15,000 and simplified acquisition threshold of $350,000. The micro-purchase definition uses $2,000 for construction subject to the cited wage-rate law and $2,500 for services subject to Service Contract Labor Standards. These lower amounts do not apply to every construction or service purchase regardless of statutory coverage.

Other defined exceptions include agency-head determinations for specified contingency, attack-recovery, disaster-assistance or emergency circumstances. Read the complete definition before using an elevated amount. Small-business restrictions and source priorities also need their own applicability analysis.

For commercial products and services, RFO 12.201-1 normally uses simplified RFQ/purchase-order procedures through $9 million. RFO 12.001(c) increases that ceiling to $15 million only for its specified circumstances and agency-head determination. This is a procedure ceiling, not a universal commercial threshold or a warrant limit.

Unauthorized commitments and six ratification criteria

RFO 1.405(a) defines an unauthorized commitment as an agreement not binding solely because the Government representative lacked authority. An irregular procedure by an authorized officer is not automatically this defined category.

The HCA may ratify, subject to all six criteria in RFO 1.405(c):

1. The Government accepted supplies or services, or otherwise received a benefit from performance.
2. The ratifying official has authority to enter the contractual commitment.
3. The contract would otherwise have been proper if an authorized contracting officer had made it.
4. The reviewing contracting officer determines the price fair and reasonable.
5. The contracting officer recommends payment and legal counsel concurs.
6. Funds are available now and were available when the unauthorized commitment was made.

The rule does not add a seventh criterion or require that the ratifying official personally held the same authority when the commitment occurred. Agency delegation may not place ratification authority below the chief of the contracting office. Follow agency ratification procedures and document the decision.

Ratification is not guaranteed whenever the Government receives a benefit. Commitments involving claims subject to the Contract Disputes statute should be processed under Subpart 33.2. Under RFO 1.405(d), nonratifiable actions may be subject to resolution under 31 U.S.C. 3702 or Subpart 50.1; they are not automatically payable or categorically barred from every other relief route.

Source: current RFO text, 1.101–1.107, Subpart 1.3, 1.402–1.405, 2.101 and 12.001/12.201-1.