Class Deviation RFO-2025-50: FAR Class Deviation for FAR Part 50 in Support of Executive Order 14275, Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement

Class Deviation RFO-2025-50
July 30, 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 50 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 50 for purposes of implementing the FAR Council’s model deviation to FAR part 50.

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

FAR part 50, Extraordinary Contractual Actions and the SAFETY Act, has been updated for clarity and practical use.

Statutory requirements and presidential directives retained in the RFO FAR part 50 model deviation include, but may not be limited to, the following:

50 U.S.C. § 1431 et seq, National Defense Contracts
6 U.S.C. § 441 eq seq, Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies
E.O. 10789, Contracting Authority in Connection With National-Defense Functions

Change	Description
Retained	All subparts and sections throughout the part are retained. All provisions and clauses are retained, specifically: Clause 52.250-1, Indemnification Under Public Law 85-804 Provision 52.250-2, SAFETY Act Coverage Not Applicable Provision 52.250-3, SAFETY Act Block Designation/Certification Provision 52.250-4, SAFETY Act Pre-qualification Designation Notice Clause 52.250-5, SAFETY Act—Equitable Adjustment. This clause was updated with plain language edits.
Removed	Plain language edits were made throughout to enhance readability and remove redundant, unclear, or non-essential language, decreasing the word count by more than 500 words.

Change

Description

Retained

All subparts and sections throughout the part are retained.
All provisions and clauses are retained, specifically:
- Clause 52.250-1, Indemnification Under Public Law 85-804
- Provision 52.250-2, SAFETY Act Coverage Not Applicable
- Provision 52.250-3, SAFETY Act Block Designation/Certification
- Provision 52.250-4, SAFETY Act Pre-qualification Designation Notice
- Clause 52.250-5, SAFETY Act—Equitable Adjustment.
  - This clause was updated with plain language edits.

Removed

Plain language edits were made throughout to enhance readability and remove redundant, unclear, or non-essential language, decreasing the word count by more than 500 words.

This table is not an exhaustive list.

4. Instructions

The GSA acquisition workforce must follow the RFO part 50 and corresponding 52 model deviation text instead of FAR part 50 and 52 as codified at 48 CFR Chapter 1. The Council’s RFO part 50 model deviation text is available at Acquisition.gov/far-overhaul, and is incorporated into this class deviation.
When using any provisions or clauses that have been revised, utilize the RFO model deviation language at RFO FAR part 52.
Review templates and related standard operating procedures to remove unnecessary process steps.

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 immediately 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.