7 CFR § 2500.011 - Competition.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t7/s2500.011"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "7 CFR § 2500.011 - Competition."
title_number: 7
title_name: "Agriculture"
section_number: "2500.011"
section_name: "Competition."
chapter_name: "OFFICE OF ADVOCACY AND OUTREACH, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE"
part_number: "2500"
part_name: "OAO FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS—GENERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "7 U.S.C. 6934, 7 U.S.C. 2279."
regulatory_source: "76 FR 66170, Oct. 26, 2011, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "2500"
---


# 2500.011 Competition.

(a) *Standards for competition.* Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, OAO will enter into discretionary grants or cooperative agreement only after competition, unless restricted by statute.

(b) *Exception.* The OAO ADO may make a determination in writing that competition is not deemed appropriate for a particular transaction. Such determination shall be limited to transactions where it can be adequately justified that a noncompetitive award is in the best interest of the Federal Government and necessary to the goals of the program. Non-competitive determinations will comply with regulations established in 7 CFR 3015.158(d).