Effective competition, as used in this part, is a market condition that exists when two or more contractors, acting independently, actively contend for the Government's business in a manner that ensures that the Government will be offered the lowest cost or price alternative or best technical design meeting its minimum needs.

[50 FR 27562, July 3, 1985, as amended at 51 FR 52434, Dec. 23, 1985; 51 FR 27116, July 29, 1986; 61 FR 41470, Aug. 8, 1996; 66 FR 2132, Jan. 10, 2001]