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Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)

The FAR is the principal set of rules governing federal procurement. It covers everything from competition requirements and contract types to small business programs and dispute resolution. All 53 parts are summarized below.

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General

System overview, definitions, ethics, and administration

Part 1

FAR 1

Federal Acquisition Regulations System

Establishes the FAR system, defines key terms, and sets forth general policies.

Part 2

FAR 2

Definitions of Words and Terms

Definitions used throughout the FAR.

Part 3

FAR 3

Improper Business Practices and Personal Conflicts of Interest

Ethics, gratuities, anti-kickback, procurement integrity, whistleblower.

Part 4

FAR 4

Administrative and Information Matters

SAM.gov registration, FPDS reporting, contract documentation.

Competition & Planning

Publicizing, competition, planning, sources, and commercial acquisition

Part 5

FAR 5

Publicizing Contract Actions

Synopsis requirements on SAM.gov. Acquisitions over $25K publicized 15 days before solicitation.

Part 6

FAR 6

Competition Requirements

Full and open competition from CICA. Seven exceptions (sole source, urgency).

Part 7

FAR 7

Acquisition Planning

Written acquisition plans for acquisitions over SAT.

Part 8

FAR 8

Required Sources of Supplies and Services

Priority order: agency inventory, UNICOR, AbilityOne, GSA.

Part 9

FAR 9

Contractor Qualifications

Responsibility determination, debarment, suspension, OCI.

Part 10

FAR 10

Market Research

Methods: Sources Sought, RFIs, industry days, database searches.

Part 11

FAR 11

Describing Agency Needs

Performance specs preferred. Section 508 accessibility.

Part 12

FAR 12

Acquisition of Commercial Products and Commercial Services

Streamlined procedures for commercial items.

Contracting Methods

Simplified acquisition, sealed bidding, negotiation, contract types, and emergencies

Part 13

FAR 13

Simplified Acquisition Procedures

Up to SAT ($250K). Micro-purchases ($10K). Auto set-aside $10K-$250K.

Part 14

FAR 14

Sealed Bidding

Lowest responsive, responsible bidder. IFBs.

Part 15

FAR 15

Contracting by Negotiation

Competitive proposals, source selection, LPTA, best value tradeoff.

Part 16

FAR 16

Types of Contracts

FFP, FPI, FPAF, CPFF, CPIF, CPAF, T&M, IDIQ.

Part 17

FAR 17

Special Contracting Methods

Multi-year contracting, options, leader company.

Part 18

FAR 18

Emergency Acquisitions

Flexibilities during contingencies, increased thresholds.

Socioeconomic Programs

Small business, labor, environment, privacy, foreign acquisition

Part 19

FAR 19

Small Business Programs

Set-asides, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB. 23% goal.

Part 20(Reserved)

FAR 20

Reserved

This FAR part is currently reserved for future use.

Part 21(Reserved)

FAR 21

Reserved

This FAR part is currently reserved for future use.

Part 22

FAR 22

Application of Labor Laws

Davis-Bacon, Service Contract Act, Walsh-Healey, EEO.

Part 23

FAR 23

Environment, Energy and Water Efficiency

Recycled content, energy efficiency, OSHA.

Part 24

FAR 24

Protection of Privacy and Freedom of Information

Privacy Act, FOIA, PII.

Part 25

FAR 25

Foreign Acquisition

Buy American Act, Trade Agreements Act, domestic content 75% by 2029.

Part 26

FAR 26

Other Socioeconomic Programs

Indian incentives, HUBZone, HBCU.

General Contracting Requirements

IP, bonds, taxes, CAS, cost principles, financing, disputes

Part 27

FAR 27

Patents, Data, and Copyrights

Government data rights. Unlimited vs. limited vs. restricted.

Part 28

FAR 28

Bonds and Insurance

Bid bonds, performance bonds, payment bonds (Miller Act).

Part 29

FAR 29

Taxes

Federal/state/local tax exemptions.

Part 30

FAR 30

Cost Accounting Standards Administration

CAS applicability. Full CAS over $50M.

Part 31

FAR 31

Contract Cost Principles

Allowable, allocable, reasonable costs. Unallowable items.

Part 32

FAR 32

Contract Financing

Progress payments, performance-based payments, prompt payment.

Part 33

FAR 33

Protests, Disputes, and Appeals

GAO protest (10 days post-award), CDA claims.

Special Categories

Major systems, R&D, construction, services, IT, utilities

Part 34

FAR 34

Major System Acquisition

ACAT programs, life-cycle cost.

Part 35

FAR 35

Research and Development Contracting

BAAs, competition, IP considerations.

Part 36

FAR 36

Construction and Architect-Engineer Contracts

Brooks Act QBS, Miller Act bonding, Davis-Bacon.

Part 37

FAR 37

Service Contracting

Performance-based preferred, QASP. SCA compliance.

Part 38

FAR 38

Federal Supply Schedule Contracting

GSA MAS ordering procedures.

Part 39

FAR 39

Acquisition of Information Technology

Clinger-Cohen, modular contracting, Section 508.

Part 40(Reserved)

FAR 40

Reserved

This FAR part is currently reserved for future use.

Part 41

FAR 41

Acquisition of Utility Services

Electricity, gas, water, areawide contracts.

Contract Management

Administration, modifications, subcontracting, property, quality, termination

Part 42

FAR 42

Contract Administration and Audit

DCAA, novation, property administration.

Part 43

FAR 43

Contract Modifications

Bilateral/unilateral modifications, equitable adjustments.

Part 44

FAR 44

Subcontracting Policies

Consent, purchasing system reviews, SB subcontracting plans.

Part 45

FAR 45

Government Property

GFP/GFE accountability, maintenance, disposal.

Part 46

FAR 46

Quality Assurance

Inspection, acceptance, warranty.

Part 47

FAR 47

Transportation

Shipping, bills of lading, FOB terms.

Part 48

FAR 48

Value Engineering

VECPs, incentive sharing for cost savings.

Part 49

FAR 49

Termination of Contracts

T4C and T4D, settlement, cure notices.

Part 50

FAR 50

Extraordinary Contractual Actions

SAFETY Act designations, indemnification.

Part 51

FAR 51

Use of Government Sources by Contractors

Government supply sources access.

Clauses & Forms

Standard provisions, contract clauses, and government forms

Part 52

FAR 52

Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses

Standard clause matrix.

Part 53

FAR 53

Forms

SF 33, SF 1449, SF 30, DD 254.

What is the FAR?

The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is the primary regulation used by all federal executive agencies in their acquisition of supplies and services with appropriated funds. Codified at Title 48, Chapter 1 of the Code of Federal Regulations, the FAR establishes uniform policies and procedures for federal procurement.

Understanding the FAR is essential for any business pursuing government contracts. It governs how agencies solicit, evaluate, award, and administer contracts — from the smallest micro-purchase to multi-billion dollar programs.

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