The policies of this part are designed to ensure that agencies acquire major systems in the most effective, economical, and timely manner. Agencies acquiring major systems shall—

(a) Promote innovation and full and open competition as required by part 6 in the development of major system concepts by (1) expressing agency needs and major system acquisition program objectives in terms of the agency's mission and not in terms of specified systems to satisfy needs, and (2) focusing agency resources and special management attention on activities conducted in the initial stage of major programs; and

(b) Sustain effective competition between alternative system concepts and sources for as long as it is beneficial.

[48 FR 42351, Sept. 19, 1983, as amended at 50 FR 52434, Dec. 23, 1985]