When is a Justification and Approval (J&A) required in negotiated procurements?

• A. When the contract is awarded with limited competition or other than full and open competition.
• B. When the contract is awarded with full and open competition.
• C. Only for sole-source.
• D. When the budget is exceeded.

Answer: (A)

A J&A is used to justify why a contract isn’t being procured through full and open competition. In negotiated procurements, you prepare the J&A whenever you award with limited competition or other than full and open competition. This documents the reasons for restricting competition, the market research that was done, and the basis for selecting the contractor, ensuring accountability and transparency in the decision. It’s not triggered by simply having a budget overrun, and full and open competition typically does not require a J&A. While sole-source is a form of noncompetitive action, the rule covers more than just sole-source, namely any situation where competition is not complete.