Class Deviation RFO-2025-24
September 2, 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 24 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 24 for purposes of implementing the FAR Council’s model deviation to FAR part 24.
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
FAR part 24, Protection of Privacy and Freedom of Information, has been retained with minimal deletions and minor updates made for plain language. No changes were made to provisions or clauses.
The only change of note is section 24.301 is deleted. This section outlined requirements for contractors to provide their employees with privacy training. The content is duplicative as it is already covered in clause 52.224-3.
Statutory requirements and executive directives retained in the RFO FAR part 24 model deviation include, but may not be limited to, the following:
- 5 U.S.C. § 552, as amended, Freedom of Information Act
- 5 U.S.C. § 552a (Pub. L. 93-579), Privacy Act of 1974
- 5 U.S.C. § 574, Confidentiality
- 10 U.S.C. § 3309 and 41 U.S.C. § 4702, Prohibition on Release of Contractor Proposals
- 10 U.S.C. § 3705 and 41 U.S.C. § 3505, Submission of Other Information
- OMB Circular No. A-130, Managing Information as a Strategic Resource
4. Instructions
- The GSA acquisition workforce shall follow the RFO part 24 model deviation text instead of FAR part 24 as codified at 48 CFR chapter 1. The Council’s RFO part 24 model deviation text is available at Acquisition.gov/far-overhaul, and is incorporated into this class deviation.
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.