Which authorizes the contracting officer to act outside of full and open competition?

The statement that "only one responsible source" authorizes the contracting officer to act outside of full and open competition is fundamental to procurement regulations. This provision is rooted in circumstances where it has been determined that only one vendor can provide the required goods or services, often due to unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or market conditions that restrict competition.

When a contracting officer identifies that only one responsible source is deemed capable of fulfilling a specific requirement, they can justify a sole-source procurement. This process ensures that the government can obtain the necessary items without undergoing the lengthy process of soliciting multiple bids when no viable alternatives exist.

This principle is codified in federal regulations, allowing for expedited contracting in situations where competition is not just impractical but impossible. This serves the government’s interests by ensuring timely access to critical resources while maintaining a fair, justified procurement process. Other options, while they may be important in their own contexts, do not specifically pertain to the authorization to bypass full and open competition as dictated by procurement regulations.