Commercial Item

A commercial item is a product or service that is readily available for purchase by the general public and is sold in the ordinary course of business. These items are typically produced for commercial sale, used by many customers, and meet standard specifications. In government contracting, identifying an item as commercial simplifies the purchasing process because it follows typical market practices, reducing the need for special negotiations or unique terms. Essentially, commercial items are the same as those you find in retail markets, making them familiar, accessible, and straightforward for government purchases.