There is no constant but change (Heraclitus).

The FAR Overhaul is underway. This is happening in real time and it seems to be a moving target. This stands to be a really big deal – since the FAR is the Rule Book of government acquisition. Rather than guess about what may or may not be affected (reminder: Guessing is a time vampire), we are taking a methodical approach to outline each FAR Part update against four key concepts as it comes out.

In this episode, we begin the FAR Overhaul review with FAR Part 1. We break down what’s changed, what has not, and how these impact both government and contractors.

In this episode, Kevin and Paul dive into the FAR Part 10 Overhaul, a key part of the larger FAR 2.0 update known as “The Revolutionary FAR Overhaul.” FAR Part 10, which guides market research in federal acquisitions, has been dramatically shortened from 1300 words to just 318. The section on “procedures” has been removed, and “shall” has been replaced with “must.” Agencies now need to document market research results in a way that fits the acquisition’s size and complexity. The reference to a threshold for contracts worth over $6 million has been eliminated, along with many key words and sections, including those related to small businesses, trade-offs, consolidation, and bundling. The new FAR Part 10 favors existing contracts and incumbents, offering less guidance on how to conduct market research. COs have more freedom but less tactical guidance, and acquisition teams now have tools in one place, which could either streamline training or overwhelm with too many topics.

If you sell commercial products and services, this overhaul might bring more government business your way. However, if you’re not an incumbent or don’t have an existing contract, the new language drives the government to existing contracts, making it harder to break in. This overhaul aims to make market research regulations simpler and more efficient, giving COs more freedom but favoring existing contracts and incumbents, which could impact the diversity of the vendor base.

Tune in to hear Kevin and Paul break down these changes and what they mean for you!

This is a big moment in our series on the FAR Overhaul. Kevin and Paul, are here to break it all down. FAR Part 6 is one of the most important parts of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. It tells us how the government decides to compete contracts. And now, it’s been rewritten.

In this episode, we look at what’s new in FAR Part 6. The part is now half as long as before—but does that make it better? We’ll use our WATS method—Words, Authority, Thresholds, and Specificity—to find out. If you work in government contracting, this episode will help you understand what’s changed and why it matters. Join us to learn how these updates could affect your work—and what to expect next.

Big changes are happening in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and this episode breaks down one of the most important updates—FAR Part 18. This part covers how the government buys things during emergencies. If you work in government contracting, this is something you need to know.

Host Kevin Jans is joined by Cesar Lopez, a retired Marine and experienced contracting officer. Cesar has handled contracts in emergency situations and shares real stories from the field. Together, they explain what’s new, what’s missing, and how these changes affect your work. This episode is clear, direct, and full of useful tips for anyone dealing with emergency acquisitions.

Welcome to the final part of our four-part series on the FAR Part 6 overhaul. In this episode, we focus on how the government explains why it does not compete some contracts. This is a key part of government buying. It affects how contracts are awarded and how fair the process is for everyone involved.

Kevin is joined by Steve Lucianetti, a retired Navy contracting officer. Steve brings real-world experience to this topic. Together, they break down the changes using the WATS rubric. These updates may seem small, but they can have a big impact on how contracts are written and approved. If you work in government contracting or support it as a contractor, this episode will help you understand what’s new, what stayed the same, and why it matters.

In this episode, Kevin and Paul continue the story of how FAR Part 12 is changing. The government wants to buy commercial products and services whenever possible. That’s smart—it saves time and money. In Episode 528, we talked about how the new rules use fewer words. Now, we look at the rest of the changes using the WATS rubric.

These updates are meant to make the FAR easier to use. If you work in government contracting or sell to the government, this episode will help you understand what’s new and why it matters. You’ll hear real examples, simple explanations, and tips that can help you do your job better. Whether you’re a Contracting Officer or a contractor, this episode is a great way to stay informed and ahead of the curve.

We’re back with another episode in our FAR Overhaul series. This time, we’re looking at FAR Part 19 – Small Business Programs. These rules matter because they shape how billions of dollars in contracts are awarded. They also affect how fast deals move and how easy it is to compete. If you work in government contracting, knowing Part 19 can save time and help you win.

In this episode, Kevin and Paul break down the changes in clear, simple terms. No broad overviews—we focus on what’s new, what stayed the same, and what it means for you. We’ll talk about set-asides, competitive 8(a) awards, and other updates that impact both government and contractors. Whether you’re a contracting officer or a business owner, this episode will help you understand the changes and use them to your advantage.