FAR Council Proposes Overhaul of Parts 16, 17, and 35 Procurement Rules
The Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council has released a proposed rule updating FAR Parts 16, 17, and 35 to streamline federal procurement processes. The regulatory overhaul targets contract types, special contracting methods, and R&D acquisitions, directly impacting how defense agencies and commercial vendors structure future program solicitations.
The Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council (FAR Council) has officially issued a proposed rule aimed at modernizing Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Parts 16, 17, and 35. This comprehensive regulatory update targets core mechanisms governing federal procurement, specifically focusing on contract types, special contracting methods, and research and development (R&D) contracting. With public comments open through October 19, the proposed changes represent a significant effort to streamline procurement frameworks, remove archaic administrative hurdles, and align federal buying procedures with contemporary defense acquisition requirements.
For defense procurement leaders and contracting officers, revisions to FAR Part 16 (Types of Contracts) and Part 17 (Special Contracting Methods) directly alter how multi-year procurements, option periods, and interagency acquisitions are structured. Modernizing these parts is intended to afford contracting officers greater flexibility in selecting award structures that incentivize performance while managing cost risk. Furthermore, modifications to FAR Part 35 (Research and Development Contracting) promise to clarify guidelines for early-stage technology development, enabling faster prototyping and tech-transition pathways critical for maintaining technological superiority against near-peer adversaries.
Signal Pro feature
This signal is in the subscriber archive.
Signals older than seven days are reserved for members. Subscribe to read the full analysis and unlock the complete Defense Signals archive.
Executive takeaway
Subscribe to receive signals like this — plus the executive analysis behind them.
Get the Signals