The General Services Administration has released a memorandum approving a class deviation to the Federal Acquisition Regulation, or FAR, Part 10 to update market research rules as part of efforts to provide acquisition teams with more flexibility in their research processes.
GSA said Thursday the class deviation is effective immediately and supports an executive order signed in mid-April, which directs the government to amend FAR to streamline the federal procurement process and remove barriers to doing business with the government.
The FAR reform, also known as the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul, or RFO, initiative, aims to eliminate non-statutory language, align with the new FAR framework and preserve essential governmentwide acquisition standards, among others.
Market Research Technique Flexibility
Under the class deviation, the FAR no longer lists specific market research methods or considerations that must be used.
Acquisition teams at agencies have the flexibility to select the market research technique that best meets their needs. They might conduct an expert panel or a reverse industry day, providing industry experts with an opportunity to share commercial practices, insights and experiences with the acquisition team.
According to the memo, acquisition professionals can apply market research concepts to procurements of any size.
The class deviation also eliminates requirements for disaster relief purchasing.
Retained Statutory Requirements
The document lists the statutory requirements that were retained in the RFO FAR part 10 model deviation, including those that cover planning and solicitation requirements and effective communication between government and industry.
According to the memo, acquisition professionals must still comply with the Competition in Contracting Act.
Subparts “10.001 Policy” and “10.002 Procedures” have been combined and streamlined to eliminate duplicative and discretionary guidance.
GSA Senior Procurement Executive Jeffrey Koses issued and signed the memo.
