7-7 Laws

Congress afforded the Postal Service broad powers of operation in the marketplace, excluding it from most Federal laws and regulations concerning contracts, property, works, officers, employees, budgets, and funding; as well as the establishment, adjudication, and judicial review of administrative procedures and determinations. Most important, the Postal Service is not subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), which is the primary regulation governing all Federal executive agencies in their purchasing of goods and services with appropriated funds. Please see chapters 9 and 10 for a complete list of clauses and provisions applicable to the Postal Service.

There are a number of laws governing purchasing and material management at the Postal Service. Some of those laws are mandated in 39 CFR either as enacted or since amended, and others are applied to the Postal Service by its own terms. SM must comply with those requirements in all activities.