Class Deviation RFO-2025-05: FAR Class Deviation for FAR Part 5 in Support of Executive Order 14275, Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement

Class Deviation RFO-2025-05
August 6, 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 26 in Support of Executive Order 14275, Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement

On this page:

Purpose
Background
Summary of changes
Instructions
Applicability
Authority
Effective date
Have a question?

1. Purpose

This memorandum approves a class deviation to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) part 5 for purposes of implementing the FAR Council’s model deviation to FAR part 5.

2. Background

Executive Order (E.O.) 14275, Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement, signed April 15, 2025, mandates a comprehensive review and simplification of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

The FAR is being updated to:

Eliminate non-statutory language.
Remove redundant or obsolete language.
Enhance clarity through plain language.
Align with the new FAR framework.
Preserve essential governmentwide acquisition standards.

This project is referred to as the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) initiative. This initiative will make the FAR more concise, understandable, and focused on core procurement requirements.

3. Summary of changes

Part 5, Publicizing Contract Actions, is revised from a complex, topic-based structure to a streamlined, chronological process that mirrors the three main phases of an acquisition. The revision makes extensive use of tables to present complex information regarding content requirements and timing, a significant departure from the dense paragraphs of the original text. The new tables 5-1, 5-2, 5-3, and 5-4 clearly explain posting requirements and timeframes.

This approach directly serves the goals of reducing complexity and enhancing clarity by making the content easier to understand and use.

Statutory requirements retained in the RFO FAR part 5 model deviation include, but are not limited to, the following:

5 U.S.C. § 552, Public Information; Agency Rules, Opinions, Orders, Records, and Proceedings
15 U.S.C. § 637(e) and 41 U.S.C. § 1708, Procurement Notice
15 U.S.C. § 637(k), Notices of Subcontracting Opportunities
15 U.S.C. § 637b, Availability of Information
15 U.S.C. § 644, Awards or Contracts
44 U.S.C. §§ 3701-3703, Awarding of Contracts
Pub. L. 97-219, Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982

Change	Description
Retained	Section 5.000 “Scope of Part” has been updated to specify that notices are posted in the Governmentwide Point of Entry (GPE). Section 5.001 “Definitions” retains and streamlines the definition of “Contract Action” and adds definitions of “Notice” and “Presolicitation Notice”. Section 5.002 “Policy” retains the general purpose to increase competition and broaden industry participation. Language in this section has been revised from “assist small business concerns” to inform small business concerns of contract and subcontract opportunities. New subparts 5.1 “Presolicitation”, 5.2 “Solicitation”, and 5.3 “Award” create logical organization in alignment with the acquisition lifecycle, creating clear points of reference. Content from the former Subparts 5.1 “Dissemination of Information”, 5.2 “Synopses of Proposed Contract Actions”, and 5.3 “Synopses of Contract Awards” is streamlined within the new subpart structure. New tables are added to section 5.101 “Presolicitation Notice” that provide greater readability. Specifically, Table 5-1 identifies presolicitation language regarding trade agreements and Table 5-2 clarifies minimum posting timeframes for presolicitation notices. Guidance for “Paid Advertisements” is moved from subpart 5.5 to the new section 5.102, and is significantly streamlined. Guidance on “Special Situations”, previously at 5.205, has been moved to the new section 5.103 “Special Notices” and is significantly streamlined, reflecting notices for Federal Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC), and consolidation, bundling, and substantial bundling. New tables are added to section 5.201 “Solicitation Notice” that provide greater readability. Specifically, Table 5-3 identifies minimum timeframes for receipt of quotations or offers, and Table 5-4 identifies minimum posting timeframes for award notices.
Removed	With rare exception, the term “synopsis” has been removed. Subpart 5.4 “Release of Information” has been removed as largely duplicative of the general posting guidance throughout the part. Subpart 5.6 “Publicizing Multi-Agency Use Contracts”, which required agencies to enter information into a specific governmentwide database of contracts, has been removed as duplicative and outdated. Subpart 5.7 “Publicizing Requirements Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)” has been removed because ARRA is no longer active.

Change

Description

Retained

Section 5.000 “Scope of Part” has been updated to specify that notices are posted in the Governmentwide Point of Entry (GPE). Section 5.001 “Definitions” retains and streamlines the definition of “Contract Action” and adds definitions of “Notice” and “Presolicitation Notice”.
Section 5.002 “Policy” retains the general purpose to increase competition and broaden industry participation. Language in this section has been revised from “assist small business concerns” to inform small business concerns of contract and subcontract opportunities.
New subparts 5.1 “Presolicitation”, 5.2 “Solicitation”, and 5.3 “Award” create logical organization in alignment with the acquisition lifecycle, creating clear points of reference.
- Content from the former Subparts 5.1 “Dissemination of Information”, 5.2 “Synopses of Proposed Contract Actions”, and 5.3 “Synopses of Contract Awards” is streamlined within the new subpart structure.
New tables are added to section 5.101 “Presolicitation Notice” that provide greater readability. Specifically, Table 5-1 identifies presolicitation language regarding trade agreements and Table 5-2 clarifies minimum posting timeframes for presolicitation notices.
Guidance for “Paid Advertisements” is moved from subpart 5.5 to the new section 5.102, and is significantly streamlined.
Guidance on “Special Situations”, previously at 5.205, has been moved to the new section 5.103 “Special Notices” and is significantly streamlined, reflecting notices for Federal Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC), and consolidation, bundling, and substantial bundling.
New tables are added to section 5.201 “Solicitation Notice” that provide greater readability. Specifically, Table 5-3 identifies minimum timeframes for receipt of quotations or offers, and Table 5-4 identifies minimum posting timeframes for award notices.

Removed

With rare exception, the term “synopsis” has been removed.
Subpart 5.4 “Release of Information” has been removed as largely duplicative of the general posting guidance throughout the part.
Subpart 5.6 “Publicizing Multi-Agency Use Contracts”, which required agencies to enter information into a specific governmentwide database of contracts, has been removed as duplicative and outdated.
Subpart 5.7 “Publicizing Requirements Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)” has been removed because ARRA is no longer active.

This table is not an exhaustive list.

4. Instructions

The GSA acquisition workforce shall follow the RFO part 5 model deviation text instead of FAR part 5 as codified at 48 CFR chapter 1. The Council’s RFO part 5 model deviation text is available at Acquisition.gov/far-overhaul, and is incorporated into this class deviation.
Contracting activities must review templates and related standard operating procedures to align with this class deviation and remove unnecessary processes and steps.

5. Applicability

This class deviation applies to all GSA procurements.

6. Authority

This class deviation is issued under the authority of EO 14275, OMB Memo M-25- 26 [PDF], 48 CFR 1.4, and RFO FAR 1.304.

7. Effective date

This class deviation is effective November 3, 2025 and remains in effect until rescinded or incorporated into the FAR.

8. Have a question?

Try asking GSAi first (upload the new RFO language and GSA’s implementing deviation, then ask your question. Please note, GSAi is accessible to GSA employees only). If you still need clarification, email the GSA Acquisition Policy Division at GSARPolicy@gsa.gov.