Federal Acquisition Regulation & Acquistion Workforce Training: Elements & Analyses

The federal government is the largest buyer of goods and services in the world, and executive branch agencies, particularly the Department of Defense, make most of these purchases. Many (although not all) acquisitions by executive branch agencies are subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), which can make FAR a topic of interest to members and committees of Congress and their staff. In particular, members, committees, and staff may find themselves (1) considering or drafting legislation that would amend FAR to save money, promote transparency, or further other public policies; (2) conducting oversight of executive agencies’ performance in procuring goods and services; and (3) responding to questions from constituents regarding executive branch procurement activities. This book provides background and analyses of FAR and the standards and policies for federal acquisition workforce training.