How is FAR organized?

The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) has 53 parts, grouped into eight subchapters. Each subchapter covers a distinct area of federal procurement.

Subchapter Groupings

A - General

Subchapter A is the foundation of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

There are 4 parts. Part 1 gives the explanation of FAR and how it's organized. Part 2 gives definitions for key terms, vital for understanding any government contracts. Part 3 covers ethics and how to keep things fair. Lastly, Part 4 deals with administration and record-keeping.

B - Competition & Acquisition Planning

Subchapter B is all about how the government plans and competes for contracts. It includes Parts 5-12.

Part 5 is important as it gives guidelines on how the government announces opportunities. Part 6 discusses competition rules. Parts 7 through 10 are more about how the government should research and shop on the market, including the use of GSA schedules. Part 11 requires the government to specify requirements for vendors. Lastly, Part 12 gives special rules for buying commercial items.

C - Contracting Methods & Types

Subchapter C (Parts 13-18) covers Contracting Methods and Types, which explains how the government awards contracts and structures them.

It includes simplified acquisition procedures for smaller buys, sealed bidding for competitive awards, negotiation processes for complex deals, and the different contract types:

• Fixed-Price (FFP)
• Time & Materials (T&M)
• Cost-Reimbursement

All three types lay the foundation for contract funding, and take into account timeframe, project complexity, risk, contract structuring, and more.

D - Socioeconomic Programs

Subchapter D focuses on Socioeconomic Programs and spans Parts 19-26.

These sections outline policies that promote fairness, inclusion, and broader social goals in federal contracting. They cover small business programs, labor standards, and initiatives that encourage participation by disadvantaged businesses and environmentally responsible practices.

For consultants and contractors, understanding these programs can open doors to set-aside opportunities and competitive advantages.

E - General Contract Requirements

Subchapter E covers General Contract Requirements and includes Parts 27-33.

These sections deal with the legal and financial rules that apply to federal contracts, such as intellectual property rights, cost principles, contract financing, and dispute resolution.

F - Special Categories of Contracting

Subchapter F addresses Special Categories of Contracting and spans Parts 34-41.

It focuses on unique types of acquisitions such as information technology, utilities, construction, and R&D. These categories often have tailored rules because they involve specialized risks and technical requirements. Familiarity with these parts are essential for niche contractors.

G - Contract Management

Subchapter G is high-stakes and covers Contract Management and Auditing. This subchapter includes Parts 42-51.

It covers everything that happens after a contract is awarded, including administration, audits, property management, quality assurance, and contract modifications (mods).

Strong post-award management is critical because most compliance issues occur during this phase, not during bidding!

H - Clauses & Forms

Subchapter H contains Clauses and Forms and consists of Parts 52 and 53. These sections provide the standard contract language and official forms that agencies and contractors must use.

These clauses are mandatory and often incorporate requirements from other parts of the FAR, so understanding them is essential for drafting compliant proposals to the government.

Parts 52 and 53 change often, so you need to pay attention. Part 52 contains all the standard contract clauses and provisions. These get updated regularly. If you use outdated clauses, your proposal or contract could be non-compliant! Part 53 lists the official forms used in federal contracting. These forms also get updated, so always download the latest version from the GSA Forms Library.