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Title 41, Public ContractsRelease 119-102

§113 Responsible Source

Title 41 › Subtitle I — Federal Procurement Policy › CHAPTER 1 — DEFINITIONS › SUBCHAPTER I — SUBTITLE DEFINITIONS › § 113

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

To be a responsible source, a potential contractor must meet seven checks. It must have enough money or be able to get it; be able to meet the delivery or performance schedule given other commitments; have a good record of past performance; have a clean record for honesty and business conduct; have (or be able to get) the right people, experience, accounting and operations controls, and technical skills; have (or be able to get) the needed equipment and facilities; and meet any other legal eligibility rules.

Full Legal Text

Title 41, §113

Public Contracts, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

In this subtitle, the term “responsible source” means a prospective contractor that—
(1)has adequate financial resources to perform the contract or the ability to obtain those resources;
(2)is able to comply with the required or proposed delivery or performance schedule, taking into consideration all existing commercial and Government business commitments;
(3)has a satisfactory performance record;
(4)has a satisfactory record of integrity and business ethics;
(5)has the necessary organization, experience, accounting and operational controls, and technical skills, or the ability to obtain the organization, experience, controls, and skills;
(6)has the necessary production, construction, and technical equipment and facilities, or the ability to obtain the equipment and facilities; and
(7)is otherwise qualified and eligible to receive an award under applicable laws and regulations.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 11341:259(c)(5).June 30, 1949, ch. 288, title III, § 309(c)(5), as added Pub. L. 98–369, title VII, § 2711(a)(3), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1180; Pub. L. 98–577, title V, § 504(a)(4), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 3086; Pub. L. 103–355, title I, § 1551, Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3299. 41:403(7).Pub. L. 93–400, § 4(7), formerly § 4(8), as added Pub. L. 98–369, title VII, § 2731(3), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1195; Pub. L. 98–577, title I, § 102(2), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 3067; redesignated as § 4(7), Pub. L. 100–679, § 3(c), Nov. 17, 1988, 102 Stat. 4056; Pub. L. 103–355, title VIII, § 8001(b)(1)–(3), Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3386.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

41 U.S.C. § 113

Title 41, Public Contracts

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102