FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation)

The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is the principal set of rules and procedures that all federal executive agencies must follow when acquiring supplies and services with appropriated funds. It is codified in Title 48 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

The FAR covers every aspect of the procurement process, from planning and solicitation to contract administration and closeout. It establishes policies for competition, contract types, socioeconomic programs, cost principles, intellectual property, and ethics.

Understanding the FAR is essential for any company doing business with the federal government. Key sections include Part 12 (commercial items), Part 15 (contracting by negotiation), Part 19 (small business programs), and Part 31 (cost principles). Agency-specific supplements such as DFARS (Defense), GSAM (GSA), and HHSAR (Health and Human Services) add additional requirements.