[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 48, Volume 1] [Revised as of October 1, 2003] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 48CFR8.605] [Page 128] TITLE 48--FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM CHAPTER 1--FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION PART 8_REQUIRED SOURCES OF SUPPLIES AND SERVICES--Table of Contents Subpart 8.6_Acquisition From Federal Prison Industries, Inc. Sec. 8.605 Clearances. (a) Clearance is required from FPI before supplies on the Schedule are acquired from other sources, except when the conditions in 8.606 apply. FPI clearances ordinarily are of the following types: (1) General or blanket clearances issued when classes of articles or services are not available from FPI. (2) Formal clearances issued in response to requests from offices desiring to acquire, from other sources, supplies listed in the Schedule and not covered by a general clearance. Requests should be addressed to Federal Prison Industries, Inc., Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20534. (b) Purchases from other sources because of a lower price are not normally authorized, and clearances will not be issued on this basis except as a result of action taken to resolve questions of price under 8.604(c). (c) Disputes regarding price, quality, character, or suitability of supplies produced by FPI are subject to arbitration as specified in 18 U.S.C. 4124. The statute provides that the arbitration shall be conducted by a board consisting of the Comptroller General of the United States, the Administrator of General Services, and the President, or their representatives. The decisions of the board are final and binding on all parties. [48 FR 42129, Sept. 19, 1983, as amended at 56 FR 15149, Apr. 15, 1991]