What is the primary purpose of the FAR?

The primary purpose of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is to provide a uniform policy for federal procurement. The FAR establishes guidelines and standards for government agencies to follow when acquiring goods and services, ensuring consistency in the procurement process across different federal entities. This uniformity helps to facilitate fair competition, promote efficiency, and ensure that taxpayer money is spent wisely.

By creating a standardized approach, the FAR helps procurement officials navigate the complexities of federal contracting, leading to improved transparency and accountability in how contracts are awarded and managed. While securing the lowest bid and managing contractor relationships are important considerations in federal procurement, they are not the overarching purpose of the FAR. Limiting competition is contrary to the FAR’s intent, which aims to foster a competitive environment to encourage innovation and obtain the best value for the government.