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
2026-19160, Federal Acquisition Regulation: Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul Parts 16, 17, and 35
The government is shaking up how it buys stuff by simplifying key contract rules in parts 16, 17, and 35 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. This change affects federal agencies and contractors, aiming to cut red tape and save taxpayer money. Comments on the proposed changes are open until October 19, 2026, so get ready to weigh in!
2026-19442, Information Collection; Paperwork Reduction Act Changes in FAR Case 2026-010, Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul Parts 14, 28, 36, and 52
The FAR Council (including DoD, GSA, NASA, and OFPP) is shaking up federal buying rules in parts 14, 28, 36, and 52 to make paperwork easier and smarter. They want your thoughts on how these changes affect the info they collect and how much time it takes. If you work with government contracts, this could save you time and hassle—just be sure to share your feedback by November 23, 2026!
2026-19444, Information Collection; Paperwork Reduction Act Changes in FAR Case 2026-011, Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul Parts 9, 27, and 47
The FAR Council is shaking things up with a big update to federal rules on government buying, focusing on parts 9, 27, and 47. This affects contractors and agencies by changing how they collect and handle paperwork, aiming to make it easier and clearer. They want your thoughts by November 23, 2026, to help reduce hassle and keep costs in check.
2026-19443, Information Collection; Paperwork Reduction Act Changes in FAR Case 2026-006, Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul Parts 16, 17, and 35
The FAR Council (including DoD, GSA, NASA, and OFPP) is shaking up federal buying rules in parts 16, 17, and 35 to make paperwork easier and smarter. They want your thoughts on how these changes affect info collection, aiming to cut down hassle and boost clarity. If you’re involved in government contracts, speak up by November 23, 2026, to help shape a smoother, faster process that could save time and money.
2026-19158, Federal Acquisition Regulation: Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul Parts 14, 28, 36, and 52
The government is shaking up how it buys stuff by simplifying key rules in the Federal Acquisition Regulation. This affects contractors and agencies working with parts 14, 28, 36, and 52, aiming to save taxpayer money and cut red tape. Comments on these changes are open until October 19, 2026, so get ready to weigh in!
2026-19162, Federal Acquisition Regulation: Revolutionary FAR Overhaul Parts 8, 12, 13, 15, 38, 44, and 51
The government is shaking up how it buys stuff by simplifying big rules that slowed things down and wasted money. This affects contractors, agencies, and taxpayers by cutting red tape in key buying steps, making deals faster and smarter. Comments on these changes are open until October 19, 2026, so get ready for a smoother, more efficient federal buying process soon!
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The EPA wants to approve Arizona’s updates to cleaner gasoline and winter fuel rules that help cut pollution in Phoenix and Tucson. They’re also getting rid of an old gasoline program in parts of Maricopa and Pima counties. These changes won’t cost extra or add new rules, and folks have until July 23, 2026, to share their thoughts.
Next: 2026-12560, Federal Acquisition Regulation: Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul Parts 6, 7, 10, 18, 26, 37, and 41
The government is shaking up the Federal Acquisition Rules to make buying smarter, faster, and less wasteful for everyone involved—from agencies to contractors. These changes cut red tape in key areas like planning, competition, and small business support, aiming to save taxpayer money and speed up deals. If you work with federal contracts, get ready to adapt by late July 2026 when public feedback closes!