Which of the following is considered a primary goal of FAR?

The primary goal of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is to encourage open and fair competition among contractors. This principle is fundamental to fostering a marketplace where multiple vendors can compete for federal contracts, which helps ensure that the government receives the best value for taxpayer dollars. By promoting competition, FAR aims to stimulate innovation and efficiency, which ultimately benefits the government as well as the public.

In addition, open competition helps to prevent favoritism and ensures that all qualified businesses have an opportunity to participate in federal contracting, thus reinforcing the integrity of the procurement process. This approach also contributes to transparency and accountability within government spending.

While the other options may reflect certain aspects of federal contracting, they do not align as directly with the primary objective of the FAR. Maximizing the cost of federal contracts is counterproductive to the goals of efficiency and value. Standardizing acquisition procedures is important for consistency but is a means to facilitate competition rather than an end goal. Limiting federal contracting to large corporations contradicts the spirit of fair competition that FAR seeks to promote, as it would eliminate opportunities for small and emerging businesses that are crucial to a healthy economy.