Class Deviation RFO-2025-34: FAR Class Deviation for FAR Part 34 in Support of Executive Order on Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement

Class Deviation RFO-2025-34
April 11, 2025
MEMORANDUM FOR GSA CONTRACTING ACTIVITIES
FROM AND DIGITALLY SIGNED BY:  Jeffrey A. Koses, Senior Procurement Executive, Office of Acquisition Policy (MV)
SUBJECT:  FAR Class Deviation for FAR Part 34 in Support of Executive Order on Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement

On this page:

1. Purpose
2. Background
3. Instructions
4. Applicability
5. Authority
6. Effective Date
7. Point of Contact

1. Purpose

This memorandum approves a class deviation to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) part 34 for purposes of implementing the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council’s (the Council’s) model deviation text to FAR part 34.

2. Background

On April 15, 2025, the Executive Order (E.O.) 14275 on Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement was signed. Section 2 of the E.O. establishes the policy that the FAR “should only contain provisions required by statute or essential to sound procurement, and any FAR provisions that do not advance these objectives should be removed.”

The FAR is being updated to:

• Remove language that is not required by statute
• Remove duplicative or outdated language
• Clarify or provide more plain language
• Revise language for the new FAR framework
• Retain language necessary for governmentwide acquisition standards.

This project is referred to as the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) initiative.

FAR part 34 describes acquisition policies and procedures for use in acquiring major systems consistent with OMB Circular No. A-109; and the use of an Earned Value Management System in acquisitions designated as major acquisitions consistent with OMB Circular A-11, part 7.

The RFO part 34 model deviation text retains FAR subparts 34.1 and 34.2. Subpart 34.1 deals with statutory requirements tied to 50 U.S.C. 4531 et seq. Subpart 34.2 deals with Earned Value Management requirements tied to OMB Circular A-11. Non-statutory requirements removed from FAR part 34 include the general guidance provided in sections 34.001 through 34.005.

3. Instructions

The GSA acquisition workforce shall follow the RFO part 34 deviation text instead of FAR part 34 as codified at 48 CFR Chapter 34. The Council’s RFO part 34 model deviation text is available at Acquisition.gov/far-overhaul, and is incorporated into this class deviation.

4. Applicability

This class deviation applies to all GSA procurements.

5. Authority

This class deviation is issued under the authority of E.O. 14275, OMB M- 25-25 [PDF - 2 MB], and 48 CFR 1.4.

6. Effective Date

This class deviation is effective immediately and remains in effect until rescinded or incorporated into the FAR.

7. Points of Contact

Questions regarding this class deviation may be directed to GSA Acquisition Policy Division at GSARPolicy@gsa.gov.