FAR Rewrite Upends R&D Rules, Keeps Most Tax and Cost Provisions

One-fifth of the Federal Acquisition Regulation’s word count has been cut in revisions published since mid-July, according to Bloomberg Government analysis of the changes.

Sections on taxes, cost principles, construction contracts, and research and development join nine additional parts revised and shortened or omitted in line with President Donald Trump’s executive order issued April 15.

The project to slim down the 53-part FAR aims for extensive plain language edits and the removal of provisions not rooted in the statutory requirements covering procurement. Technical “deviations” are being issued part-by-part to be implemented on a rolling basis, with the expectation of formal ...