Defense Priorities and Allocations System Program (DPAS)

The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) is used to prioritize national defense-related contracts/orders throughout the U.S. supply chain in order to support military, energy, homeland security, emergency preparedness, and critical infrastructure requirements.  The DPAS can also be used to provide military or critical infrastructure assistance to foreign nations.

Under Title I of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended, the President is authorized to require preferential acceptance and performance of contracts or orders (other than contracts of employment) supporting certain approved national defense and energy programs, and to allocate materials, services, and facilities in such a manner as to promote these approved programs.   The Department of Commerce is delegated authority, through Executive Order 13603, to implement these priorities and allocations provisions for industrial resources. The Bureau of Industry and Security administers this authority through the DPAS regulation (15 CFR Part 700). 

Commerce has delegated authority to the Departments of Defense, Energy, and Homeland Security, and to the General Services Administration, to place, in accordance with the DPAS regulation and the requirements of the Defense Production Act and Executive Order 13603, priority ratings on contracts or orders necessary, or appropriate, to promote the national defense.

Commerce may also authorize other government agencies, foreign governments, owners and operators of critical infrastructure, or companies to place priority ratings on contracts or orders on a case-by-case basis.  Such requests must first be determined as necessary or appropriate to promote the national defense by the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, or Energy.

This Web site includes a wide range of DPAS resources, including copies of the DPAS regulation and the form to request Special Priorities Assistance, online DPAS training courses, and links to DPAS information and guidance released by the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, and Energy. 

We hope you will find the content relevant, easy to use, and beneficial as we carry out our mission of supporting military, energy, homeland security, emergency preparedness, and critical infrastructure requirements through the DPAS. 

To obtain additional information on the DPAS or to suggest enhancements to this Web site, please call Commerce’s DPAS team at (202) 482-3634 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .