# 48 CFR § 6.202: 6.202 Establishing or maintaining alternative sources

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-48-6.202

## Section

- **Citation:** 48 CFR § 6.202
- **Heading:** 6.202 Establishing or maintaining alternative sources
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 48—Federal Acquisition Regulations System > CHAPTER 1—FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION > SUBCHAPTER B—ACQUISITION PLANNING > PART 6—COMPETITION REQUIREMENTS > Subpart 6.2—Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources

## Text

(a) Agencies may exclude a particular source from a contract action in order to establish or maintain an alternative source or sources for the supplies or services being acquired if the agency head determines that to do so would—
(1) Increase or maintain competition and likely result in reduced overall costs for the acquisition, or for any anticipated acquisition;
(2) Be in the interest of national defense in having a facility (or a producer, manufacturer, or other supplier) available for furnishing the supplies or services in case of a national emergency or industrial mobilization;
(3) Be in the interest of national defense in establishing or maintaining an essential engineering, research, or development capability to be provided by an educational or other nonprofit institution or a federally funded research and development center;
(4) Ensure the continuous availability of a reliable source of supplies or services;
(5) Satisfy projected needs based on a history of high demand; or
(6) Satisfy a critical need for medical, safety, or emergency supplies.
(b)(1) Every proposed contract action under the authority of paragraph (a) of this section shall be supported by a determination and findings (D&F) (see subpart 1.7) signed by the head of the agency or designee. This D&F shall not be made on a class basis.
(2) Technical and requirements personnel are responsible for providing all necessary data to support their recommendation to exclude a particular source.
(3) When the authority in (a)(1) of this section is cited, the findings shall include a description of the estimated reduction in overall costs and how the estimate was derived.
[50 FR 1729, Jan. 11, 1985, as amended at 60 FR 42653, Aug. 16, 1995; 84 FR 19842, May 6, 2019]

## Nearby sections

- [48 CFR § 6.100 6.100 Scope of subpart.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-48-6.100.md)
- [48 CFR § 6.101 6.101 Policy.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-48-6.101.md)
- [48 CFR § 6.102 6.102 Use of competitive procedures.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-48-6.102.md)
- [48 CFR § 6.200 6.200 Scope of subpart.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-48-6.200.md)
- [48 CFR § 6.201 6.201 Policy.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-48-6.201.md)
- [48 CFR § 6.202 6.202 Establishing or maintaining alternative sources.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-48-6.202.md)
- [48 CFR § 6.203 6.203 Set-asides for small business concerns.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-48-6.203.md)
- [48 CFR § 6.204 6.204 Section 8(a) competition.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-48-6.204.md)
- [48 CFR § 6.205 6.205 Set-asides for HUBZone small business concerns.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-48-6.205.md)
- [48 CFR § 6.206 6.206 Set-asides for service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) concerns eligible under the SDVOSB Program.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-48-6.206.md)
- [48 CFR § 6.207 6.207 Set-asides for economically disadvantaged women-owned small business (EDWOSB) concerns or women-owned small business (WOSB) concerns eligible under the WOSB Program.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-48-6.207.md)
- [48 CFR § 6.208 6.208 Set-asides for local firms during a major disaster or emergency.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-48-6.208.md)
- [48 CFR § 6.300 6.300 Scope of subpart.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-48-6.300.md)
- [48 CFR § 6.301 6.301 Policy.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-48-6.301.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-48-6.202. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.