Preferred Federal Purchasing

Federal law and the Federal Acquisition Regulation direct that all federal agencies purchase biobased products in categories identified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). To date, USDA has identified 142 categories (e.g. cleaners, carpet, lubricants, paints) of biobased products for which agencies and their contractors have preferred purchasing requirements. As USDA identifies product categories for preferred federal purchasing, minimum biobased content is established for the category.

Biobased product purchasing requirements are included in solicitations, blanket purchase agreements, contracts, and specifications. Requirements also extend to purchases made through purchase cards, electronic catalogs, and other procurement vehicles.

Directives for the Preferred Purchasing of Biobased Products

Preferred federal purchasing requirements for biobased products were established in the 2002 Farm Bill and expanded in the 2008, 2014, and 2018 Farm Bills. Biobased purchasing requirements are detailed throughout the Federal Acquisition Regulation including acquisition planning, preferred purchasing by purchase card, source selection, preferred contract clauses, and general policy and provisions.

Contractor Reporting of Biobased Product Purchases

Biobased purchasing requirements are detailed throughout the FAR, including acquisition planning, preferred purchasing by purchase card, source selection, required contract clauses, and general policies and provisions. FAR 52.223-2, Reporting of Biobased Products under Service and Construction Contracts (DEVIATION FEB 2025) requires services and construction contractors to report their purchases of biobased products to the reporting portal within the System for Award Management (SAM). This annual reporting requirement is to be completed by October 31st for the previous fiscal year.