Federal Acquisition Regulation(FAR)
The primary set of rules governing how the federal government purchases goods and services, covering everything from competition requirements to contract administration.
Overview
The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is the principal set of rules that governs the federal government's acquisition process. Codified in Title 48 of the Code of Federal Regulations, the FAR covers the entire lifecycle of a contract — from planning and solicitation through award, administration, and closeout. It is jointly issued by the Department of Defense, General Services Administration, and NASA.
Why It Matters in GovCon
The FAR is the rulebook for federal contracting. Every solicitation, proposal, contract clause, and dispute resolution process traces back to its provisions. Contractors who understand the FAR can write more compliant proposals, negotiate better terms, and avoid costly mistakes. Ignorance of the FAR is not a defense.
Key Details
- Structure: 53 parts organized into eight subchapters covering general provisions, competition, contract types, socioeconomic programs, cost principles, and more.
- Key Parts: Part 12 (commercial items), Part 13 (simplified acquisition), Part 15 (negotiated procurement), Part 19 (small business programs), Part 31 (cost principles).
- Supplements: Individual agencies publish supplements (DFARS for DoD, GSAM for GSA, etc.) that add agency-specific rules on top of the FAR.
- Updates: The FAR is updated through Federal Acquisition Circulars (FACs) that are published periodically.
How GovCon Data Can Help
GovCon Data's regulation monitoring features track FAR updates and help you understand which clauses apply to your contracts. The AI coaching tools can explain specific FAR references found in solicitations.
Related Terms
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS)
- Contracting Officer (CO)
- Simplified Acquisition Threshold
- Competition in Contracting Act (CICA)
More Regulations Terms
A federal law requiring the U.S. government to prefer domestic products and materials in its procurement.
A federal law requiring contractors on federally funded construction projects to pay workers prevailing local wages.
The supplement to the FAR that contains acquisition regulations specific to the Department of Defense.
A federal law that gives the public the right to request access to federal agency records, subject to exemptions.
The acquisition regulation that supplements the FAR for the Department of Homeland Security.
U.S. regulations that control the export and import of defense articles, services, and technical data.
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