Guide
How does contracting work for a Building Partner Capacity case?
A Building Partner Capacity case uses the infrastructure, but its contracts follow the rules for U.S. appropriated funds rather than the acquisition rules. The funds expire, so contracting is planned around their dates, beginning with a feasibility assessment. The benefitting partner generally cannot ask for a specific vendor: the international agreement exception behind sole source requests is not available outside Section 333 programs, and any sole source needs another justification under the . contract pricing rules and offsets do not apply.
How does contracting work for a Building Partner Capacity case?
that are implemented through cases will utilize the infrastructure for execution. However, due to the different authorities and appropriated funding sources for programs, acquisitions for will not follow the acquisition processes and procedures outlined in C6.3 and the Subpart 225.73.
Instead, acquisition for programs will follow the processes and procedures outlined in C15 as well as the and provisions associated with contracts funded by -appropriated funds.
A key consideration in conducting acquisitions is to recognize the time-limited nature of funds for both obligation and disbursement purposes. funds are appropriated funds and pass through the appropriation lifecycle: current, expired and cancelled ( C15.1.4). The expiration and cancellation dates are essential in procurement planning and execution for . Due to the fiscal time limitations, C15.2.6.4 outlines the role of a feasibility assessment in planning for a acquisition.
Another major difference for a acquisition is that the benefiting country, except under a Section 333 program, is not provided an opportunity to request procurement from a specific vendor. The sole source process based on the international agreement exception (10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(4); subpart 6.302-4) is ineligible to be utilized with programs, because there is no international agreement with the partner. The other than process can be used for programs, but the justification for use must be based on other exception criteria outlined in the , subpart 6.3. C15.2.6.5 discusses the sole source process that is applicable to programs.
Regarding contract pricing, requirements default to all the normal DoW pricing rules. The contract pricing provisions outlined in subpart 225.7303 are not applicable to acquisitions. Additionally, offsets as discussed for are not applicable in acquisitions.
References
SAMM
- SAMM C15.2.6.4 — Feasibility Assessment.
- SAMM C15.2.6.5.1
- SAMM C15.2.6.5.2
- SAMM C15.2.6.5.3
Related
Foreign Military Sales (FMS)
A process, authorized by the Arms Export Control Act, through which eligible foreign governments and international organizations may purchase defense articles, services, and training from the United States Government.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
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Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
The FAR is the primary regulation for use by federal executive agencies for the acquisition of supplies and services with appropriated funds. The document, published in 1984, consolidated the major procurement regulations of various departments and agencies. The intent of the FAR is to standardize the content, decrease the volume of documents, and to achieve consistency throughout government. The principal agencies involved in putting together the FAR were DoD, the General Services Administration, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the three largest buyers. The FAR is broader than just contracting and applies to all goods and services. It directs the defense program manager in many ways, including contract award procedures, acquisition planning, warranties, and establishing guidelines for competition. Besides the FAR, each agency has its supplement to describe its own particular way of doing business. The DoD supplement is called Defense FAR Supplement.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
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Building Partner Capacity (BPC) Programs
Security cooperation and security assistance activities funded with USG appropriations (not including Foreign Military Sales Credit and Military Assistance Program/Merger).
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
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FMS — Foreign Military Sale
SAMM Acronyms, as of 12 September 2026
SAMM — Security Assistance Management Manual
SAMM Acronyms, as of 12 September 2026
Glossary entry →Security Assistance Management Manual (SAMM) →
DFARS — Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement
SAMM Acronyms, as of 12 September 2026
Full And Open Competition
When used with respect to a contract action, means that all responsible sources are permitted to compete.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
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DSCA — Defense Security Cooperation Agency
SAMM Acronyms, as of 12 September 2026
Glossary entry →Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) →
Implementing Agency (IA)
The military department or defense agency responsible for the execution of military assistance programs. With respect to FMS, the military department or defense agency assigned responsibility by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency to prepare an LOA and to implement an FMS case. The implementing agency is responsible for the overall management of the actions that will result in delivery of the materials or services set forth in the LOA that was accepted by a foreign country or international organization.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
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Country Team Assessment (CTA)
A USG coordinated position of senior U.S. embassy leadership that includes an assessment of a proposed transfer and provides key information necessary for USG evaluation. CTAs can be provided as published cables or dated memos on embassy letterhead and signed by a member of the country team.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
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Combatant Command (CCMD)
A unified or specified command with a broad continuing mission under a single commander established and so designated by the President, through the Secretary of Defense and with the advice and assistance of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Also called CCMD.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026
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LOA — Letter of Offer and Acceptance
SAMM Acronyms, as of 12 September 2026