What is FAR? Federal Acquisition Regulation Explained for New Contractors
Thinking about federal contracting? The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) isn't just paperwork you can figure out later. The FAR provides the legal framework for the entire federal procurement process, covering contract formation, administration, and closeout. It establishes requirements for competitive bidding, defines different contract types, sets standards for contractor qualifications, and outlines dispute resolution procedures.
In today's federal contracting environment, winning requires understanding not just what agencies need, but who's currently providing it, how much they're paying, and which relationships matter most. Competitive intelligence gathering separates contractors who respond reactively to published solicitations from those who position proactively for opportunities before RFPs are released.
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Carson Corda joined US Federal Contractor Registration (USFCR) in March 2025, bringing entrepreneurial experience and a genuine passion for helping businesses grow. Originally from Broomfield, Colorado, Carson moved to Clearwater, Florida, in December 2020, trading mountain views for beach access and building his career in the sunshine state.
The federal government is actively working to award contracts to businesses in historically underutilized areas, and your business location could be your competitive advantage. The HUBZone program represents approximately $23 billion in annual contracting opportunities, with agencies increasingly focused on meeting their 3% spending goals.
The Food & Nutrition Service, under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is granting up to $18 million towards FY 2026 Farm to School Grant Program. The purpose of this program is to enhance access to local foods in eligible Child Nutrition Program (CNP) sites through comprehensive farm-to-CNP programming that includes local sourcing and agricultural education efforts.
Right now in 2025, the 8(a) Business Development Program, administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), helps small, disadvantaged businesses access federal contracts. It provides set-aside and sole-source opportunities, business development support, and mentoring. Recent legal changes have affected eligibility requirements, making it more important than ever for businesses to understand how the program works.
October 1, 2025, Shutdown Update: USFCR continues monitoring contractor impacts. Confirmed operational: SAM systems remain functional with limited support staff. Confirmed disrupted: Federal Service Desk for UEI assignments, Census Bureau NAICS lookup system.
Contractor workarounds verified effective: Alternative NAICS lookup via naicscode.com, direct contracting officer communication for urgent matters, existing contract work continuation based on essential/non-essential classification.
Right now in 2025, smart federal contractors are preparing for potential government shutdowns while their competitors hope for the best. Here's what most people get wrong: shutdowns aren't just political theater that might affect you. They're predictable business disruptions that create both risks and opportunities for contractors who know how to respond.
If your business recently received a GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract award, this announcement directly impacts your next steps. GSA has issued critical guidance that could save you significant time and prevent duplicative work during your catalog setup process.
No single business has everything it takes to cover every opportunity, and agencies often prefer a mix of capabilities, past performance, and certifications. Teaming structures give contractors a way to combine strengths, fill gaps, and pursue awards they couldn't win alone. The challenge is that not all teaming models are created equal. Each comes with different costs, rules, and risks, and the wrong choice can eliminate your eligibility before the evaluation even begins.
When and Why the Rebrand Happened
On July 9, 2025, the SBA replaced the long-standing Dynamic Small Business Search with the new Small Business Search platform. This was more than a name change. It retired a tool that had been in place for over 15 years and introduced a modern system that buyers and prime contractors now use as the default directory for finding small businesses.
