Under which conditions does FAR part 12 not apply to the acquisition of commercial items?

The correct answer reflects a fundamental aspect of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) regarding the applicability of part 12, which governs the acquisition of commercial items. FAR part 12 is designed to streamline the procurement process for commercial goods and services, emphasizing efficiency and flexibility.

When acquisitions are conducted at or below the micro-purchase threshold and using a Government-wide commercial purchase card, the simplified purchasing methods typically employed in such scenarios often do not necessitate compliance with the requirements of FAR part 12. This is because micro-purchases are not subject to the same level of regulatory scrutiny, allowing for quicker and more straightforward transactions. Therefore, FAR part 12's specific provisions become irrelevant in these low-value transactions, reflecting the government's intent to facilitate speedy procurement in amounts that are relatively insignificant.

The other conditions presented are not aligned with the context of FAR part 12. While it is true that FAR part 12 applies primarily to commercial items, it does not inherently exclude products sold to federal agencies, nor does it specifically address methods like sealed bidding or contracts exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold as disqualifying factors for commercial item procurement. The application of FAR part 12 typically remains in place for more substantial contracts and different acquisition methods unless explicitly defined exceptions exist