Class Deviation RFO-2025-43
June 9, 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 43 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 43 for purposes of implementing the FAR Council’s model deviation to FAR part 43.
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 43, Contract Modifications, has been streamlined to provide the essential contract modification standards for the workforce to limit risk to the public and government.
Statutory requirements retained in the RFO FAR part 43 model deviation include, but are not limited to, the following:
- 31 U.S.C. § 1501, Documentary Evidence Requirement for Government Obligations.
- 31 U.S.C. § 1341, Anti-Deficiency Act.
- 41 U.S.C. §§ 7101-7109, Contract Disputes Act of 1978.
| Change | Description |
|---|
| Retained | - Non-statutory definitions and procedures for contract modifications are retained to maintain uniformity across Government.
- Instructions for documenting and definitizing change orders are retained and clarified.
|
|---|
| Removed | - Plain language edits have been made throughout, resulting in a 300 word decrease.
|
|---|
This table is not an exhaustive list.
4. Instructions
- The GSA acquisition workforce shall follow the RFO part 43 model deviation text instead of FAR part 43 as codified at 48 CFR chapter 1. The Council’s RFO part 43 model deviation text is available at Acquisition.gov, under the “FAR Overhaul” link, and is incorporated into this class deviation.
- Review templates and related standard operating procedures to align with this deviation and remove unnecessary process 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 immediately 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.