The Revolutionary FAR Overhaul
By Paul Calabrese, Principal, Outsourced Accounting & Advisory Services
Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement
On April 15, 2025, the President issued the Executive Order: “Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement”, marking the most comprehensive reform of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) since its inception.
This initiative—led jointly by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) and the Federal Acquisition Regulatory (FAR) Council—represents a historic effort to simplify, modernize, and restore the FAR to its statutory foundations.
A Return to Simplicity and Purpose
For decades, the FAR has expanded into an intricate system burdened by layers of regulatory and procedural requirements. The overhaul aims to reverse that trend by:
- Rewriting the FAR in plain language to promote clarity and accessibility.
- Removing non-statutory rules that create unnecessary complexity.
- Establishing non-regulatory “Buying Guides” to offer practical, flexible strategies grounded in sound business judgment.
The central goal is to create a more efficient, competitive, and results-driven acquisition system—one that empowers contracting professionals to make informed decisions quickly and responsibly.
Driving Results through Common Sense
The streamlined FAR will help:
- Accelerate acquisitions, reducing administrative delays.
- Foster greater competition among suppliers.
- Deliver better value to taxpayers and federal programs.
By focusing on statutory requirements and practical guidance, the reform restores trust and discretion to the acquisition workforce—reaffirming that sound judgment, not excessive regulation, is the foundation of good procurement.
Providing Feedback on the FAR Overhaul
The FAR Council is inviting informal feedback to help shape the rulemaking process. While individual responses will not receive formal replies, all feedback will be reviewed and considered as the overhaul progresses.
Deadline: November 3, 2025, by 4:30 p.m. Eastern
Purpose: To comment on the cumulative model deviations and provide constructive insights for the revised FAR framework.
Quick Access to Key RFO Resources
Parts and Deviations: Access the authoritative list of overhauled FAR Parts (through Part 51) and related agency deviations. Interactive tools provide each Part’s issuance date, revision summary, and corresponding deviations. Example: FAR Part 1 currently includes 31 agency deviations.
FAR Companion: A living resource guide designed to assist acquisition professionals in applying the FAR’s core principles with confidence. It offers best practices, context, and practical advice aligned with statutory intent and performance outcomes.
Practitioner Albums: Explore non-regulatory training materials for the revised FAR Parts, including deviation summaries, line-out documents, and supplemental learning aids.
Frequently Asked Questions: Find concise, updated answers to common questions related to the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) and its implementation timeline.
RFO Reference Documents
For policy background and supporting materials, access:
- Executive Orders and Policy Memos
- Guidance Documents and Implementation Notes
- Practitioner Albums and Supplemental Learning Tools
A New Chapter in Federal Procurement
The Revolutionary FAR Overhaul represents more than regulatory reform—it is a philosophical shift toward empowering acquisition professionals, streamlining bureaucracy, and restoring common sense to the federal procurement process.
Contact Us
GRF CPAs & Advisors offers a deep bench of expertise in the government contracting sector including accounting system selection and implementation. With subject matter experts addressing all aspects of DCAA-FAR-CAS regulatory and oversight compliance, GRF provides tailored audit, tax and advisory services that address the unique challenges and opportunities faced by contractors.
Our team of seasoned professionals is committed to delivering comprehensive solutions. By leveraging GRF’s experience and local market knowledge, government contractors can confidently manage the complexities of the acquisition process and achieve their strategic goals. Learn more about GRF’s services for government contractors.
This article was an aggregation of RFO website data prepared by Paul Calabrese.
