Revolutionary Trilogy Continues With FAR Simplification
Published Date: 6/23/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The government is shaking up the Federal Acquisition Regulation to cut red tape and save taxpayer money. This big update affects anyone who works with federal contracts, making rules simpler and smarter. Comments are open until July 23, 2026, so get ready for a smoother, faster way to do business with the feds!
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Forms moved to a live website
The FAR will stop listing forms inside the regulation and instead point to a centralized website at https://acquisition.gov/FARforms as the authoritative place for acquisition-related forms. That means updates to the list of forms no longer require formal rulemaking in the FAR, so the Government can update forms faster and reduce administrative delay.
System for Award Management changes
The rule proposes that only entity-level representations and certifications remain in SAM, while procurement-specific reps/certs be moved into solicitations. It also proposes removing FAR 52.204-8 (Annual Representations and Certifications). The FAR Council invites feedback on potential impacts and changes in burden from this shift.
One consolidated security prohibition part
Security prohibitions, exclusions, and related clauses from multiple FAR parts will be consolidated into FAR part 40 to create a single, harmonized framework and a single "do not buy" list. The proposal also updates definitions (for example, covered telecommunications and video surveillance equipment), clarifies exceptions, and harmonizes reasonable-inquiry and reporting standards.
Major system dollar-threshold adjustment
The proposal would adjust the threshold for defining a "major system" to incorporate the thresholds described in section 1804 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (Pub. L. 119-60), applying those Title 10 thresholds to both civilian agencies and DoD.
Removal of a privacy clause and section
The proposal would remove FAR 39.105, "Privacy," and FAR clause 52.239-1, "Privacy or security safeguards," because those provisions are described as inconsistently used and redundant with other security controls in the FAR and NIST protections.
More transparency in bid protests
The proposed changes add a purpose statement for the bid protest system, require contracting officers to report protests to the head of the contracting activity, and allow protesters who seek independent review to receive a redacted copy of the agency's final technical evaluation and source selection decision and to raise additional protest grounds within a reasonable time set by the independent review official.
Regulatory sunset to trim outdated rules
The FAR would add a regulatory sunset requirement to establish a repeating review process to identify FAR sections, provisions, and clauses that are outdated or no longer required and to remove them through rulemaking. Sections do not expire until removed by rulemaking unless an expiration date is included in a clause.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
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The government is shaking up some key rules about how federal agencies collect information when buying goods and services. This overhaul affects contractors, agencies, and anyone involved in federal purchases, aiming to cut down paperwork and make things clearer and faster. Comments on these changes are open until August 24, 2026, so get ready to share your thoughts and help shape the future of federal buying!
2026-12806, Information Collection; Paperwork Reduction Act Changes in FAR Case 2026-001, Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul Parts 1, 2, 4, 33, 39, 40, and 53
The government is shaking up the rules for how federal agencies collect paperwork from contractors, making things simpler and smarter. If you work with or for the government, these changes could affect how you submit info and save you time and hassle. You’ve got until August 24, 2026, to share your thoughts before the new rules roll out!
2026-12561, Federal Acquisition Regulation: Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul Parts 5, 24, and 29
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2026-12562, Federal Acquisition Regulation: Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul Parts 3 and 49
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