# 48 C.F.R. § 11.104 (2026): Use of brand name or equal purchase descriptions

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T48_P11_S11_104

## Section

- **Citation:** 48 C.F.R. § 11.104 (2026)
- **Heading:** Use of brand name or equal purchase descriptions
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 48 CFR: Federal Acquisition Regulations System / Chapter 1: FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION / Part 11: DESCRIBING AGENCY NEEDS / Subpart 11.1: Subpart 11.1—Selecting and Developing Requirements Documents / § 11.104: Use of brand name or equal purchase descriptions.

## Text

(a) While the use of performance specifications is preferred to encourage offerors to propose innovative solutions, the use of brand name or equal purchase descriptions may be advantageous under certain circumstances.
(b) Brand name or equal purchase descriptions must include, in addition to the brand name, a general description of those salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics of the brand name item that an “equal” item must meet to be acceptable for award. Use brand name or equal descriptions when the salient characteristics are firm requirements.
[64 FR 32742, June 17, 1999]

## Nearby sections

- [48 C.F.R. § 11.101 (2026) Order of precedence for requirements documents.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T48_P11_S11_101.md)
- [48 C.F.R. § 11.102 (2026) Standardization program.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T48_P11_S11_102.md)
- [48 C.F.R. § 11.103 (2026) Market acceptance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T48_P11_S11_103.md)
- [48 C.F.R. § 11.104 (2026) Use of brand name or equal purchase descriptions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T48_P11_S11_104.md)
- [48 C.F.R. § 11.105 (2026) Items peculiar to one manufacturer.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T48_P11_S11_105.md)
- [48 C.F.R. § 11.106 (2026) Purchase descriptions for service contracts.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T48_P11_S11_106.md)
- [48 C.F.R. § 11.107 (2026) Solicitation provision.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T48_P11_S11_107.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T48_P11_S11_104. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.