What is a FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation)?
Also known as: Federal Acquisition Regulation
The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is the primary rulebook governing how U.S. federal agencies buy goods and services. It standardizes the procurement process — from solicitation and contract types to clauses and disputes — and applies across the executive branch.
How the FAR is organized
The FAR is divided into parts covering topics like competition requirements, contract types, small-business programs, and contract clauses. Agencies add supplements (such as the DoD's DFARS) with their own requirements.
Solicitations and contracts incorporate specific FAR clauses, which define the legal terms you agree to when you bid and perform.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the FAR and DFARS?
The FAR applies government-wide; the DFARS is the Department of Defense's supplement that adds defense-specific rules and clauses on top of the FAR.
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