GSA Blog

Part 1: Setting the Stage: Understanding the Vision Behind the FAR Overhaul

This blog is part one of a two part series on the FAR changes

FAS is pleased to announce the start of a two-part blog series that delves into the transformative changes of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) initiative. Prompted by Executive Order 14275, Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement, this marks the most significant update to the FAR in over four decades. We’re kicking off the series with a thoughtful perspective on what this transformation means for the workforce.

The Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO): A Metaphor
Imagine you’ve lived in a large apartment building that was originally designed to be simple and functional. Over the years, new wings were added, staircases rerouted, and hallways extended. Each change responded to a specific need at the time—an extra room here, a safety requirement there, a rule to address a unique situation. But decades later, the result is a confusing maze. Residents, especially the new ones, need a map just to get from their door to the laundry room.

Long-time tenants know the quirks, but even they agree it’s not easy to live in.

Now imagine the building’s original blueprint is being rediscovered—not to go backward, but to return to what was essential. A team of architects is proposing a full renovation. They’ll keep the structural elements required by law—the foundation, the support beams—but strip away the patchwork of additions. In their place, they’ll create open, usable spaces designed for how people actually live and work today. Instead of rules taped to every wall, residents will get a practical living guide. It will be easy to follow and separate from the structure itself.

This is where we find ourselves with the Federal Acquisition Regulation. For the first time, the FAR is being comprehensively overhauled. It is being pared back to its statutory foundation and rewritten in plain language. Many of the one-off rules and procedural add-ons will move out of the regulation and into flexible, practical guides. The goal is a clearer, more navigable FAR—a FAR that supports smart buying, fosters innovation, and keeps us grounded in law without being boxed in by decades of complexity.

The Opportunity Before Us
This transformation isn’t about abandoning rules or throwing caution to the wind. It’s about finding a better balance between compliance and effectiveness.

We need to:

Trust our training and expertise: Most acquisition professionals have developed sound judgment through years of experience. That knowledge doesn’t disappear when guidance is reduced.

Focus on principles rather than procedures: Instead of following step-by-step instructions, we’ll need to internalize the core principles of fair, efficient, and effective procurement.

Collaborate more: When the path isn’t explicitly marked, we’ll need to consult with colleagues, share experiences, and build collective wisdom.

Accept that mistakes will happen: What matters is how we learn from them.

The Inevitable Adjustment Period
Let’s be honest—there will be an adjustment period, and it might be uncomfortable.

This discomfort is normal. In fact, it’s a necessary part of growth. Remember learning to ride a bicycle? The wobbly phase was frustrating but essential to eventually riding with confidence.