The RFO offers a generational opportunity to improve outcomes, save taxpayer money, and deliver exceptional mission support through a sound business framework.
On April 15, the President issued Executive Order 14275, “Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement,” launching a comprehensive rewrite (streamlining) of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, supplemental agency regulations, and other procurement guidance. The end of the fiscal year marks the symbolic “finish line” for Phase I of the administration’s Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO). Phase I of the RFO is the comprehensive rewrite or overhaul of the FAR through the issuance of deviations for each of the FAR parts. To date, deviations have been issued for 38 parts of the FAR. This includes partial deviations for FAR Parts 2 and 52, which are undergoing a rolling overhaul consistent with the issuance of the various overhauled FAR parts. In addition, Practitioner Albums have accompanied the deviations providing context and understanding for the changes.
The deviations have streamlined the FAR, providing more direct, plain language guidance that will increase efficiency, reduce administrative burdens, and eliminate barriers to commercial solutions. The RFO has taken a strategic approach, moving key, undervalued parts of the FAR to provide greater clarity and flexibility for contracting officers and contractors alike. For example, the simplification of the Federal Supply Service ordering procedures and relocation to the General Services Acquisition Regulation is a significant change that will enhance competition, value and outcomes for customer agencies utilizing the FSS program. Likewise, moving the simplified procedures for commercial supply and service acquisitions below $7.5 million from FAR Part 13 to Part 12 is a positive, logical step. The commercial procedures were essentially an afterthought in FAR Part 13. Now these procedures will be highlighted to the acquisition workforce via FAR Part 12.