A new era of federal acquisition starts now. Led by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) and the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council (FAR Council), the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) initiative represents the most significant update to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) in over 40 years. The initiative introduces model class deviation text, which are FAR parts, rewritten in plain language, that remove most non-statutory text, other than that which is essential to sound procurement. The initiative also introduces non-regulatory, non-mandatory buying guides and other materials that will provide best practices and “how-to” strategies for helping the workforce execute acquisitions more efficiently and with confidence. Users will be encouraged to comment on the form and content of materials so they can be modified, as appropriate, based on experience. Whether you’re new to contracting or a seasoned professional, the RFO supports smarter buying decisions at every step. It’s people-focused, policy-backed, and mission-ready. Explore the latest RFO guidance, rewritten FAR parts, news, and updates by visiting http://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul.
Commentary on the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul from GSA's Senior Procurement Executive Jeffrey Koses
On Friday, the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul page officially launched on Acquisition.gov.
FAR Part 1 sets the framework for the Federal Acquisition system.
Today, when you open the FAR, just about the first thing you see is the Statement of Guiding Principles. Credit to our predecessors on that. If you begin by explaining where you’re trying to go, you stand a much better chance of actually getting there.
That’s why the very first deviation you saw was revised FAR Part 1, the updated guiding principles.
Under the deviation, the first principle articulated is the acquisition system will “meet an agency’s mission efficiently and effectively first.”
Continuing, the next principle emphasizes the value of time as part of the most effective use of taxpayer dollars.
The third principle speaks to maximizing commercial products and services and the fourth speaks about awards to contractors who demonstrate a superior ability to perform.
To me, the message is: we spend taxpayer dollars through contracts in order to fulfill agency mission; we can’t overlook the value of time — acquisition needs to be fast; we need to tap the best of the commercial sector; and best value is our normal standard.
These are not new ideas — we can trace much of them back to the 809 panel, to the procurement reform movement of the 1990s, some to the Commission on Government Procurement in the 1960s, and no doubt some even further back than that.
If you’re reading this, share your thoughts:
- Where do you see acquisition steps which are inconsistent with these goals?
- How do we best increase velocity?
- How do we best invite the commercial sector to the game?
- Where are we getting in our own way?
Under the Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement, the FAR Council has 180 days to “amend the FAR to ensure that it contains only provisions that are required by statute or that are otherwise necessary to support simplicity and usability.”
While that’s not a lot of time, John Tenaglia, Karla Smith Jackson, and I are committed to public engagement throughout the process.
As each part model deviations are posted, you’ll find a feedback link, inviting your thoughts, particularly on areas that need refinement and on potential unintended consequences.
While the FAR Council won’t have time to post responses to the feedback, we will consider it as we move through the rewrite process into formal rule-making.
Note: The above is in its entirety from a Federal Acquisition Institute email.
Also, text shared provided in LinkedIn post by Jeff Koses, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/far-overhaul-from-beginning-jeff-koses-ovije/