Where Part 13 sits in the procurement stack
Above the micropurchase threshold (currently $10,000 for most federal civilian and DoD buys) and at or below the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT, currently $250,000), the contracting officer typically uses FAR Part 13 procedures. Some commercial items are eligible at higher dollar values under FAR 13.5.
How a Part 13 buy moves
The CO solicits quotes from a reasonable number of sources (often three), evaluates against the criteria in the RFQ, and awards. Source-selection criteria are simpler than under Part 15. Debrief rules are narrower. Protest jurisdiction is more limited.
What vendors should know
Part 13 rewards a clean quote that answers the RFQ in the format the CO asked for. Brand-name or equivalent is common; if you are quoting equivalent, say so and show the spec parity. Past performance still matters but is often weighed against price and delivery rather than scored on a separate scale.
- Read the RFQ to the period at the end of every clause.
- Answer in the format requested, not in your standard proposal template.
- Quote real delivery, not a hopeful one.
- Include any required reps and certs at the time of quote, not after.
Common questions
Can a Part 13 buy be sole-source?
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Yes, under specific circumstances documented by the contracting officer. Above the micropurchase threshold the CO needs justification on the file.
Are commercial items always eligible for FAR 13.5?
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No. FAR 13.5 applies to commercial items above the SAT up to a category-specific ceiling, and the CO has to determine the items qualify as commercial.
Do small-business set-asides apply under Part 13?
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Yes. The rule of two still applies — if two or more responsible small businesses are expected to compete at a fair market price, the buy is set aside.