FAR Part 2 vs. RFO Part 2: Trimming the Fat
If FAR Part 1 is the soul of the regulation, FAR Part 2 was the dictionary. However, over the years, Part 2 became a dumping ground for terms that didn’t need a regulatory definition. In the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO), Part 2 has been gutted of “administrative fluff” and restricted to terms with specific legal or statutory weight.
The Migration to the “Universal Glossary”
Under the RFO, if a word means exactly what a standard English dictionary says it means, it has been removed from Part 2. Furthermore, industry-specific terms (like “Bona Fide Request”) have been moved to the Strategic Acquisition Guidance (SAG) Universal Glossary. This keeps the RFO lean and prevents “definition creep” from slowing down the procurement process.
Key Definition Changes
| Term | Legacy Status (FAR) | RFO Status / Location |
|---|---|---|
| “Commercial Product” | Complex 6-part definition. | Retained: Crucial for Part 12/RFO Part 5 applications. |
| “Day” | Defined as Calendar Day unless noted. | Deleted: Reverted to standard legal/dictionary usage. |
| “Simplified Acquisition Threshold” | Static dollar amounts in Part 2. | Dynamic: Linked to the Inflationary Adjustment Table in RFO Part 1. |
| “Best Value” | General objective. | Redefined: Explicitly includes speed of delivery as a primary metric. |
The “Mission-Centric” Definition Shift
Perhaps the most significant change for AF Contracting is the new RFO definition of “Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).” The RFO explicitly defines the COR as a “Technical Partner in Mission Success,” a move away from the legacy “Administrative Monitor” vibe. This supports the RFO’s push for post-award performance over pre-award bureaucracy.
What You Need to Watch For
When drafting your Single Source Justifications (J&As) or Determination and Findings (D&Fs), you can no longer rely on the “old” definitions in FAR 2.101. If a term isn’t in RFO Part 2, the GAO will now look to the SAG Universal Glossary or established case law. Citing a deleted FAR Part 2 definition in a 2026 protest is a fast track to a sustained objection.
Officer’s Intent: The RFO assumes you are a professional. It doesn’t need to define “signature” for you anymore. Focus your attention on the definitions that impact applicability (like the new Small Business thresholds) rather than the ones that describe basic office functions.
Relevant Regulations & Links