(a) In accordance with FAR 6.302-1(c), purchase descriptions must
not specify a product, or specific feature of a product, peculiar to a
manufacturer unless they are justified to the contracting officer in
writing by the office initiating the purchase request. The
justification must state that the product, or specific product feature,
is essential to the Government's requirements and other similar
products or features will not meet these requirements. This
determination must be signed by a representative of the office
originating the request and must accompany the purchase requisition
submitted to the appropriate contracting office. If such a
justification is not made, the contracting officer may assume that
another make and model or a generic product could equally meet the DOL
requirement.
(b) In accordance with FAR 10.002(b), the requisitioning office
must submit to the contracting officer information demonstrating that a
variety of products from various commercial sources have been
considered. This requirement is not necessary for required sources (See
FAR 8.001). Orders to be placed against non-mandatory sources, such as
the Federal Supply Schedules, or other Governmentwide Acquisition
Contracts, should include product information concerning multiple
sources based on research from http://www.contractdirectory.gov site or other
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sources. When documented in this manner, the contracting officer may
rely on this information in developing a procurement strategy, or for
documenting the comparison of catalogs or pricelists.
