Jan 2024-Understanding Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is often colloquially referred to as the “bible” for government contracting. Given its critical importance, one might reasonably expect that all Business Development (BD) professionals, particularly those in leadership roles or serving as Capture Managers, would possess a functional understanding of it. However, more often than not, this is not the case.
The deficiency in familiarity with FAR is most apparent when it comes to reconciling the impacts of solicitation Sections H (Special Contract Requirements) and I (Contract Clauses) on opportunity risk profiles and pricing during gate/step/milestone discussions.
The following information offers a high-level tutorial on what FAR entails, how to navigate it effectively, and some practical tips for managing its use.
What is FAR?
FAR is the primary regulatory framework governing government procurement activities in the United States. Its official documentation resides in Chapter 1 of Title 48 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Additionally, each government department, and some agencies, may have supplements to the FAR that introduce further restrictions or guidance. Examples of such supplements include the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) or, in more specific cases, the Army Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (AFARS).
FAR is structured into Parts (a total of 53), Subparts, and Sections. You can find an index of these Parts here: FAR Index. This index enables you to access individual Parts, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), or download copies in various formats. Once you’ve chosen a Part to review, you can navigate Subparts and Sections using the menu bar at the top of the screen.
It’s important to note that reading the entire FAR and its related supplements is not necessary to gain a functional grasp of it. A recommended approach, employed by many experienced BD leaders and Capture Managers, is to compile a list of specific Subparts and Sections related to the customer and type of contracts you bid, and revisit them regularly to gain familiarity.
Since FAR undergoes continuous review and updates for various reasons, it is vital to stay informed about recent or pending changes. Several methods can be used to achieve this, but one of the simplest is to regularly visit the Acquisition.gov website’s News page at Acquisition.gov News. This page serves as a valuable resource for staying updated on recent or forthcoming changes to FAR.
