Class Deviation RFO-2025-28
August 27, 2025
MEMORANDUM FOR GSA CONTRACTING ACTIVITIES
FROM AND DIGITALLY SIGNED BY: Jeffrey A. Koses, Senior Procurement Executive, Office of Acquisition Policy (MV)
SUBJECT: FAR Class Deviation for FAR Part 28 in Support of Executive Order 14275, Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement
On this page:
- Purpose
- Background
- Summary of changes
- Instructions
- Applicability
- Authority
- Effective date
- Have a question?
1. Purpose
This memorandum approves a class deviation to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) part 28 for purposes of implementing the FAR Council’s model deviation to FAR part 28.
2. Background
Executive Order (E.O.) 14275, Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement, signed April 15, 2025, mandates a comprehensive review and simplification of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
The FAR is being updated to:
- Eliminate non-statutory language.
- Remove redundant or obsolete language.
- Enhance clarity through plain language.
- Align with the new FAR framework.
- Preserve essential governmentwide acquisition standards.
This project is referred to as the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) initiative. This initiative will make the FAR more concise, understandable, and focused on core procurement requirements.
3. Summary of changes
All content in FAR part 28, Bonds and Insurance, has been retained with minimal deletions and minor updates made for plain language. No changes were made to provisions or clauses.
Statutory requirements retained in the RFO FAR part 28 model deviation include, but may not be limited to, the following:
- 15 U.S.C. §§ 694a et seq, Surety Bond Guarantees
- 31 U.S.C. §§ 3901 et seq, Prompt Payment
- 31 U.S.C. §§ 9301 et seq, Sureties and Surety Bonds
- 40 U.S.C. §§ 3131 et seq, Bonds
- 42 U.S.C. §§ 1651 et seq, Defense Base Act
- Pub. L. 103-355 Sec 2091, Government-wide Application of Payment Protections for Subcontractors and Suppliers
- Pub. L. 114-92 Sec 874, Surety Bond Requirements and Amount of Guarantee
4. Instructions
- The GSA acquisition workforce must follow the RFO part 28 model deviation text instead of FAR part 28 as codified at 48 CFR Chapter 1. The Council’s RFO part 28 model deviation text is available at Acquisition.gov/far-overhaul, and is incorporated into this class deviation.
5. Applicability
This class deviation applies to all GSA procurements.
6. Authority
This class deviation is issued under the authority of EO 14275, OMB Memo M-25- 26 [PDF], 48 CFR 1.4, and RFO FAR 1.304.
7. Effective date
This class deviation is effective November 3, 2025 and remains in effect until rescinded or incorporated into the FAR.
8. Have a question?
Try asking GSAi first (upload the new RFO language and GSA’s implementing deviation, then ask your question. Please note, GSAi is accessible to GSA employees only). If you still need clarification, email the GSA Acquisition Policy Division at GSARPolicy@gsa.gov.