(a) Deviations from the provisions of the FAR or NRCAR may be granted as specified in this subpart when necessary to meet the specific needs of the requesting office. The development and testing of new techniques and methods of acquisition should not be discouraged simply because the action would require a FAR or NRCAR deviation.

(b) Requests for authority to deviate from the provisions of the FAR or the NRCAR must be signed by the requesting office and submitted to the Director, Division of Contracts and Property Management, in writing, as far in advance as possible. Each request for deviation must contain the following:

(1) A statement of the deviation desired, including identification of the specific paragraph number(s) of the FAR or NRCAR from which a deviation is requested;

(2) The reason why the deviation is considered necessary or would be in the best interest of the Government;

(3) If applicable, the name of the contractor and identification of the contract affected;

(4) A description of the intended effect of the deviation;

(5) A statement of the period of time for which the deviation is needed; and

(6) Any pertinent background information which will contribute to a full understanding of the desired deviation.

In individual cases, deviations from either the FAR or the NRCAR will be authorized only when essential to effect only one contracting action or where special circumstances make the deviations clearly in the best interest of the Government. Individual deviations must be authorized in advance by the Director, Division of Contracts and Property Management.

Class deviations affect more than one contracting action. Where deviations from the FAR or NRCAR are considered necessary for classes of contracts, requests for authority to deviate must be submitted in writing to the Director, Division of Contracts and Property Management, who will consider the submission jointly with the Chairperson of the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council, as appropriate.