Policy
FAR and DFARS rulemaking, executive orders, and acquisition policy shifts — explained in plain English.
-
Policy
DoW DFARS overhaul Phase 2 — proposed rules out for public comment in FY2026
After Phase 1 (31 FAR/DFARS class deviations effective February 2026), DPCAP confirmed Phase 2 will require formal proposed rules issued for public notice and comment in FY2026. Cyber clauses moved from FAR 52.204-xx to 52.240-xx.
-
Policy
The Current Service Contract Act Health & Welfare Fringe Rate: $5.55/Hour, Not $5.36
DOL's All Agency Memorandum No. 250 (July 7, 2025) set the current SCA health & welfare fringe rate at $5.55/hour ($5.09 under EO 13706 sick-leave contracts) — corrects the article's stale pre-2025 $5.36 figure and its fabricated January 2026 wage-determination update, plus a wrong occupation-code reference.
-
Policy
There's No FAR Council AI Rule — But GSA's Proposed AI Clause Is the Real Story
There is no FAR Council interim rule on AI acquisition transparency — the real, current story is GSA's proposed GSAR 552.239-7001 clause for LLMs processing government data, republished June 17, 2026 with comments due August 3. Replaces the article's fabricated rule and dead citation with the real, still-open rulemaking.
-
Policy
SBA overhauls 8(a) program eligibility reviews — automatic annual certification replaced with risk-based audits
SBA finalized 8(a) program reforms replacing annual self-certification with a risk-based audit system and tightening the economic disadvantage threshold to $850,000 net worth. Changes apply immediately to new applicants and all current participants.
-
Policy
FY26 NDAA Section 866 — DoD told to harmonize defense industrial base cybersecurity by June 1, 2026
Section 866 directs DoW to reduce duplicative cyber requirements across DoD contracts and produce a report to Congress on harmonization. Plus Section 863 incentives for supply-chain transparency tools, Section 869 alternate-supplier qualification.
-
Policy
ITAR USML revisions effective September 15, 2025 — what defense contractors need to know
State Department's final rule revised the U.S. Munitions List effective September 15, 2025. Categories IV (spacecraft) and XV (launch systems) saw items move from ITAR to EAR jurisdiction. Cambodia removed from prohibited countries list.
-
Advertisement
-
Policy
CMMC Level 3 — 134 security controls, DIBCAC assessment, three-year cert renewal
Level 3 applies to DoD contractors handling CUI on the most sensitive programs. 134 controls (110 from NIST SP 800-171 + 24 from SP 800-172). Government assessment via DIBCAC, not C3PAOs. Renewal every three years. Likely first appearances in solicitations late 2026.
-
Policy
DoD expands DFARS domestic sourcing requirements under new EO — specialty metals, rare earths added
A new executive order directing reduced dependency on foreign-sourced critical materials has prompted the DoD to issue a class deviation expanding DFARS domestic sourcing requirements to cover rare earth elements and specialty battery components. Affected contractors have 180 days to demonstrate compliance or receive a waiver.
-
Policy
DCAA incurred cost rules — and the IPA evaluation due to Congress April 30, 2026
Federal contractors with cost-reimbursement work file Incurred Cost Submissions within 6 months of fiscal year-end. DCAA targets adequacy assessments in 60 days, audits in 1 year. Plus: DoD must evaluate Independent Public Accountants by April 30 and report to Congress.
-
Policy
Section 508 — WCAG 2.0 still the formal baseline, but Refresh Act would push to WCAG 2.2
Federal accessibility (Section 508) currently requires WCAG 2.0 Level AA for federal websites and federally-procured ICT. The Section 508 Refresh Act, introduced July 2024, would update to WCAG 2.2, expand to cloud and AI interfaces, strengthen procurement docs.
-
Policy
DFARS Cyber Incident Reporting Stays at 72 Hours as DoD Walks Back 8-Hour Proposal
DoD's Revolutionary FAR Overhaul reaffirmed the 72-hour DFARS 252.204-7012 cyber incident reporting window in June 2026, reverting course on an earlier, industry-opposed proposal that would have shortened it to 8 hours. Corrects the article's original claim that an 8-hour rule had taken effect — the opposite happened.
-
Policy
SBA's 2-year JV rule — and why competitive 8(a) JV approvals stopped
Same JV partners can submit offers for 2 years from the date of the first contract before being deemed affiliated. Plus: SBA no longer approves JV agreements for competitive 8(a) contracts (sole-source still allowed).
