Justification and Approval(J&A)
A document that justifies and authorizes a contract award without full and open competition under one or more statutory exceptions.
Overview
A Justification and Approval (J&A) is a formal document that contracting officers must prepare when awarding a contract using an exception to full and open competition. It explains why competition is impractical or contrary to the government's interests and must be approved by designated officials before the award can proceed.
Why It Matters in GovCon
J&As enable sole-source awards, limited-source competitions, and other non-competitive actions. Contractors pursuing sole-source work must ensure their capabilities align with the stated justification — and understand that J&As can be protested if they contain factual errors or inadequate rationale.
Key Details
- Required by FAR 6.303: Must include description of needs, rationale for exception, market research summary, and approval signature.
- Approval Levels: Dollar thresholds determine whether the contracting officer, competition advocate, or higher authority must approve.
- Posting: J&As for sole-source contracts above $250K are posted to FedBizOpps/GSAM for transparency.
- Protest Risk: Weak or inaccurate J&As can be successfully challenged at GAO or the Court of Federal Claims.
Related Terms
- Sole Source
- Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
- Full and Open Competition
- Limited Sources Justification
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