FAR Council Drops Plan to Overhaul Contract Protest Rules

2025-08022 — Federal Acquisition Regulation: List of Domestically Nonavailable Articles

The government just updated the list of products that can’t be bought from U.S. suppliers under the Buy American rules. This change affects companies selling to federal agencies like the DoD, GSA, and NASA, making sure only truly unavailable items get special treatment. The new list kicks in soon, helping save taxpayer money and support American businesses.

2026-09523 — Information Collection; Prospective Subcontractor Requests for Bonds

The government is asking for your thoughts on keeping a form that helps subcontractors request bonds when working on federal projects. This form helps agencies like the DoD, NASA, and GSA make sure subcontractors are reliable and financially secure. They want to extend the use of this form for three more years, so if you’re involved in federal contracts, your input matters before July 13, 2026!

2026-09525 — Information Collection; Contract Financing

The government agencies in charge of buying stuff—like the Department of Defense, NASA, and others—are asking to keep collecting info about contract payments for three more years. They want your thoughts on how this info helps them work better and how to make it easier to share. If you’re involved in government contracts, this could affect how you report payment details, with no new costs but a chance to improve the process.

2026-09527 — Information Collection; Preaward Survey Forms (Standard Forms 1403, 1404, 1405, 1406, 1407, and 1408)

The government wants to keep using six important preaward survey forms that help check if companies are ready to work on federal contracts. They’re asking for your thoughts on how useful these forms are and how to make them easier to fill out. Comments are open until July 13, 2026, and if all goes well, these forms will stay in use for three more years without extra costs.

2026-09526 — Information Collection; Prohibition on Contracting With Entities Using Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment

The government is asking for your thoughts on keeping rules that stop contracts with companies using certain risky telecom and video gear. This affects businesses wanting to work with federal agencies like the DoD, NASA, and GSA. The current approval lasts until the end of 2026, and they want to extend it for three more years to keep things safe and clear.

2026-08940 — Information Collection; Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors

Federal contractors will soon need to share info showing they’re fighting discrimination based on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Four big agencies—DoD, GSA, NASA, and OFPP—are asking for public feedback on this new info collection by July 6, 2026. This effort aims to keep workplaces fair without adding too much paperwork or cost.

Previous: 2025-10610 — Federal Acquisition Regulation: Small Business Participation on Certain Multiple-Award Contracts

The government decided to stop a plan that would have changed how small businesses join certain big contract groups. This means no new rules for now, so small businesses can keep doing their thing without extra hoops. If you’re a small business or work with them, nothing new is changing right now, and no extra costs or deadlines are coming.

Next: 2025-10701 — Safety Zone; Gulf of America; Sand Key Beach, Clearwater, FL

The Coast Guard is setting up a temporary safety zone near Sand Key Beach, Clearwater, FL, for a fast-paced jet ski race on August 23-24, 2025. Boats and people can’t enter this area unless they get special permission, keeping everyone safe during the event. This rule helps protect racers and spectators without any extra costs for the public.