Which FAR part focuses on the acquisition of commercial items?

FAR Part 12 specifically addresses the acquisition of commercial items. This part is significant because it streamlines the procurement process for goods and services that are considered commercial, enabling federal agencies to benefit from the commercial marketplace's competitive pricing and efficient turnaround times. By following guidelines in FAR Part 12, contracting officers can utilize simplified acquisition procedures and often rely on commercial practices, which helps in reducing the administrative burden associated with traditional federal contracting methods.

In contrast, FAR Part 13 deals with simplified acquisition procedures but does not focus exclusively on commercial items. FAR Part 14 provides guidelines for sealed bidding, which involves a different procurement method primarily used for certain formal acquisitions. FAR Part 15 addresses contracting by negotiation, which can apply to both commercial and non-commercial items but does not specifically target commercial acquisitions like FAR Part 12 does. Therefore, FAR Part 12 is the most relevant part when it comes to the acquisition of commercial items.