Defense Priorities and Allocation System (DPAS)
FAR Part 11.6 implements the Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS), a Department of Commerce regulation in support of approved national defense, emergency preparedness, and engergy programs.
Defense Priorities and Allocation System (DPAS) rated contracts give certain US Government orders priority under Federal Law over all other US Government and commercial work, and notwithstanding other contractual commitments. There are two levels of priority for rated orders established by DPAS. They are:
- DX Orders have highest priority,and take priority over DO
- DO Orders have priority over all non-rated orders except DX rated orders.
A couple rules regarding priorities of rated orders.
- 1. First received applies when establishing priorities among like rated orders,
- 2. Must redirect materials and labor away from other orders in order to comply with rating.
Exemptions/Not Required
Under the DPAS regulation a person is not required to place a priority rating on an order for less than $50,000 or one half the FAR Simplified Acquisition Threshold, whichever is larger, provided that delivery can be obtained in a timely fashion without the use of the priority rating (15 CFR 700.17(f)). This does not preclude a person from rating an order under $50,000 if he chooses to do so to insure timely delivery. This threshold would also apply to the mandatory priority rating extension requirements for contractors in FAR 11.603(d)(2).
