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Title 32

Displaying title 32, up to date as of 7/14/2026. Title 32 was last amended 7/09/2026.
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Subpart F—Definitions

§ 21.605 Acquisition.

The acquiring (by purchase, lease, or barter) of property or services for the direct benefit or use of the United States Government (see more detailed definition at 48 CFR 2.101). In accordance with 31 U.S.C. 6303, procurement contracts are the appropriate legal instruments for acquiring such property or services.

§ 21.610 Agreements officer.

An official with the authority to enter into, administer, and/or terminate technology investment agreements.

§ 21.615 Assistance.

The transfer of a thing of value to a recipient to carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by a law of the United States (see 31 U.S.C. 6101(3)). Grants, cooperative agreements, and technology investment agreements are examples of legal instruments used to provide assistance.

§ 21.620 Award.

A grant, cooperative agreement, technology investment agreement, or other nonprocurement instrument subject to one or more parts of the DoD Grant and Agreement Regulations (see appendix A to this part).

§ 21.625 Contract.

See the definition for procurement contract in this subpart.

§ 21.630 Contracting activity.

An activity to which the Head of a DoD Component has delegated broad authority regarding acquisition functions, pursuant to 48 CFR 1.601.

§ 21.635 Contracting officer.

A person with the authority to enter into, administer, and/or terminate contracts and make related determinations and findings. A more detailed definition of the term appears at 48 CFR 2.101.

§ 21.640 Cooperative agreement.

A legal instrument which, consistent with 31 U.S.C. 6305, is used to enter into the same kind of relationship as a grant (see definition “grant”), except that substantial involvement is expected between the Department of Defense and the recipient when carrying out the activity contemplated by the cooperative agreement. The term does not include “cooperative research and development agreements” as defined in 15 U.S.C. 3710a.

§ 21.645 Deviation.

The issuance or use of a policy or procedure that is inconsistent with the DoDGARs.

§ 21.650 DoD Components.

The Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Military Departments, the Defense Agencies, and DoD Field Activities.

§ 21.655 Grant.

A legal instrument which, consistent with 31 U.S.C. 6304, is used to enter into a relationship:

(a) Of which the principal purpose is to transfer a thing of value to the recipient to carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by a law of the United States, rather than to acquire property or services for the Department of Defense's direct benefit or use.

(b) In which substantial involvement is not expected between the Department of Defense and the recipient when carrying out the activity contemplated by the grant.

§ 21.660 Grants officer.

An official with the authority to enter into, administer, and/or terminate grants or cooperative agreements.

§ 21.665 Nonprocurement instrument.

A legal instrument other than a procurement contract. Examples include instruments of financial assistance, such as grants or cooperative agreements, and those of technical assistance, which provide services in lieu of money.

§ 21.670 Procurement contract.

A legal instrument which, consistent with 31 U.S.C. 6303, reflects a relationship between the Federal Government and a State, a local government, or other recipient when the principal purpose of the instrument is to acquire property or services for the direct benefit or use of the Federal Government. See the more detailed definition for contract at 48 CFR 2.101.

§ 21.675 Recipient.

An organization or other entity receiving an award from a DoD Component.

§ 21.680 Technology investment agreements.

A special class of assistance instruments used to increase involvement of commercial firms in defense research programs and for other purposes related to integrating the commercial and defense sectors of the nation's technology and industrial base. Technology investment agreements include one kind of cooperative agreement with provisions tailored for involving commercial firms, as well as one kind of other assistance transaction. Technology investment agreements are described more fully in 32 CFR part 37.