Abacus Contract Management Definitions

General Notes on Usage and Convention

Sources for definitions, generally the Federal Acquisition Regulations and its Department of Defense and Navy supplements, are indicated after each definition.  Should sufficient market interest develop, Abacus Contract Management will add contracting definitions from other federal agencies.  Please review the following general notes.

FAR 1.108 - FAR conventions.

The following conventions provide guidance for interpreting the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR):

(a) Words and terms. Definitions in Part 2 apply to the entire regulation unless specifically defined in another part, subpart, section, provision, or clause. Words or terms defined in a specific part, subpart, section, provision, or clause have that meaning when used in that part, subpart, section, provision, or clause. Undefined words retain their common dictionary meaning.

FAR Part 2 Definitions of Words and Terms

2.000 Scope of part.
(a) This part--
(1) Defines words and terms that are frequently used in the FAR;
(2) Provides cross-references to other definitions in the FAR of the same word or term; and
(3) Provides for the incorporation of these definitions in solicitations and contracts by reference.
(b) Other parts, subparts, and sections of this regulation (48 CFR Chapter 1) may define other words or terms and those definitions only apply to the part, subpart, or section where the word or term is defined (see the Index for locations).

Subpart 2.1--Definitions
2.101 Definitions.
(a) A word or a term, defined in this section, has the same meaning throughout this regulation (48 CFR Chapter 1), unless--
(1) The context in which the word or term is used clearly requires a different meaning; or
(2) Another FAR part, subpart, or section provides a different definition for the particular part or portion of the part.
(b) If a word or term that is defined in this section is defined differently in another part, subpart, or section of this regulation (48 CFR Chapter 1), the definition in--
(1) This section includes a cross-reference to the other definitions; and
(2) That part, subpart, or section applies to the word or term when used in that part, subpart, or section.

Excerpt FAR 2.201- Definitions - Contract clause.

Insert the clause at 52.202-1, Definitions (Dec 2001), in solicitations and contracts that exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If the contract is for personal services, construction, architect-engineer services, or dismantling, demolition, or removal of improvements, use the clause with its Alternate I. The contracting officer may include additional definitions, provided they are consistent with the clause and the FAR.

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Bibliography

American Arbitration Association

Department of Defense Acquisition Deskbook

Department of Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement

DOD/IT Acronym Glossary

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Federal Acquisition Institute OnLine University

Federal Acquisition Regulation

Immigration & Naturalization Service Glossary

Institute for Supply Management

Joint Publication 1-02 "DOD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms" (PDF)

MIL-STD-1840A, Automated Interchange of Technical Information (PDF)

NASA - Procurement Glossary

Navy Acquisition Procedures Supplement

Navy Electronic Directives System

Small Business Administration - Government Contracting and Business Development - Glossary of Terms

Where in Federal Contracting?

Credits

This glossary is an outgrowth of work performed for the Naval Sea Systems Command contracting community in collaboration with Atlantic-Pacific Group LLC, SI International, and the Navy's SALTS Project Office.

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