As with most articles in this series, it is important to put the topic of competitive procedures under discussion within the context of the mission of the Department of War (DoW). How will this impact readiness? In my experience, some customers opine that the use of competitive procedures delays the process and may result in inferior products or services (when compared to their preferred source). However, in the bigger scheme, competi- tion more often has the exact opposite result.
When the government solicits and obtains competition, it can result in monetary savings, innovative solu- tions, expansion of the industrial base, increased transparency and confidence in the procurement pro - cess, and expanded opportunities for various businesses, often without considerable added lead time to con- tract award. And expanding the De- fense Industrial Base is a key goal of the department’s Acquisition Trans-
formation Strategy. Competition is a vital component of this strategy. Historical Context The Competition in Contracting Act of 1984 (CICA) created major changes in the requirements for competition for the federal government and the (then) DoD. Prior to 1984, the Armed Ser - vices Procurement Act of 1947 estab - lished our competition requirements. This was implemented in the Defense
Table 1. Exceptions To Formal Advertising Requirement
The following are the 17 exceptions to the requirement to use Formal Advertising under the Armed Services Procurement Act and Defense Acquisition Regulation. The ones in bold are now exceptions to full and open competition under CICA. y National emergency y Public exigency (e.g., unusual and compelling urgency) y When only one source is available y When authorized by statute y When the contract is for personal or professional services y When the contract is for educational or research institutions y When the contract is for technical equipment requiring standardization y When the contract is for experimental, developmental, or research work y When the contract is for utility services (Only one source includes this possibility) y When the contract is for supplies purchased in foreign countries y When the contract is for perishable subsistence supplies y When the contract is for brand-name items for resale (authorized by statute) y When the contract is for services by nonprofit organizations (authorized by statute) y When the contract is for services by blind or disabled persons (authorized by statute) y When the contract is for printing and binding (authorized by statute) y When the contract is for transportation services y When the contract is for contracts with foreign governments or international organizations
Source: Adapted by author from listed sources
MARCH – APRIL 2026 | DEFENSE ACQUISITION MAGAZINE 17
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