The FAR and Beyond

In this episode, we explore the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) of Part 19, which reorganizes small business regulations into acquisition life cycle stages while moving non-regulatory best practices to the FAR Companion. The discussion highlights critical updates for practitioners, such as the mandatory Rule of Two at the master contract level and a new, efficient process for automatically releasing requirements from the 8(a) program.
Learn more about The Quill & Sword series of podcasts by visiting our podcast page at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/thequillandsword. The Quill & Sword show includes featured episodes from across the JAGC, plus all episodes from our four separate shows: “Criminal Law Department Presents” (Criminal Law Department), “NSL Unscripted” (National Security Law Department), “The FAR and Beyond” (Contract & Fiscal Law Department) and “Hold My Reg” (Administrative & Civil Law Department). Connect with The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School by visiting our website at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/.

In this episode, we discuss navigating the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO)
using updated tools on acquisition.gov, including practitioner albums for
change summaries and the new FAR Companion. The panel outlines how to
locate agency-specific supplements like the AFARS and DFARS, while
providing strategies for researching primary sources such as National Defense
Authorization Acts (NDAAs) and GAO case law. Finally, the episode introduces
the newly renamed Acquisition Attorney’s Deskbook and explores the evolving
role of closed and open AI tools in conducting streamlined legal analysis.

Resources Links
Deskbooks:
Attorney’s Acquisition Deskbook: tjaglcs.army.mil/publications
Fiscal Law Deskbook: tjaglcs.army.mil/publications

Primary Sources:
FAR: www.acquisition.gov/
RFO: www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul
RFO Practitioner Albums: www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/practitioner
albums
FAR Companion:
www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/page_file_uploads/far-companion.pdf
AFARS Link: www.army.mil/armycontracting#org-afars
DFARS: www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/dars/dfarspgi/current/index.html and
https://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/dars/dfars_far_overhaul_class_deviations.html
U.S. Code and Statutes: uscode.house.gov/
Congress: www.congress.gov/
DoD History & Library Directorate: whs
mil.libguides.com/dodappropriationslaws
GAO: www.gao.gov/legal/bid-protests/search
Court of Federal Claims (COFC): www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/
Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals (ASBCA): www.asbca.mil/

Secondary Sources:
Congressional Research Reports: www.congress.gov/quick-search/crs
products?qs_expand=true
WIFCON.com: www.wifcon.com
Small Gov Con: www.smallgov.com
StanHinton: www.stanhinton.com
Learn more about The Quill & Sword series of podcasts by visiting our podcast
page at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/thequillandsword. The Quill & Sword show
includes featured episodes from across the JAGC, plus all episodes from our
four separate shows: “Criminal Law Department Presents” (Criminal Law
Department), “NSL Unscripted” (National Security Law Department), “The FAR
and Beyond” (Contract & Fiscal Law Department) and “Hold My Reg”
(Administrative & Civil Law Department).

In this episode, we explores the 75-year history of the Small Business
Administration, tracing its origins from World War II defense advocacy to its
modern role in managing government-wide contracting goals. The discussion
also covers essential topics for practitioners, including the "Rule of Two,"
recent legal shifts in the 8(a) program, and upcoming acquisition reforms in the
FY26 NDAA.
Learn more about The Quill & Sword series of podcasts by visiting our podcast
page at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/thequillandsword. The Quill & Sword show
includes featured episodes from across the JAGC, plus all episodes from our
four separate shows: “Criminal Law Department Presents” (Criminal Law
Department), “NSL Unscripted” (National Security Law Department), “The FAR
and Beyond” (Contract & Fiscal Law Department) and “Hold My Reg”
(Administrative & Civil Law Department). Connect with The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School by visiting our website at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/.

In this episode, we analyze the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul FAR Part 12, which streamlines commercial acquisitions by reorganizing the part into lifecycle-based subparts and cutting approximately 30% of associated provisions and clauses. The discussion explores key updates such as the inclusion of construction as a commercial service, a new emphasis on mandatory priority sources, and the shift from a rigid "late is late" rule to a "good business judgment" standard for late offers. Learn more about The Quill & Sword series of podcasts by visiting our podcast page at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/thequillandsword. The Quill & Sword show includes featured episodes from across the JAGC, plus all episodes from our four separate shows: “Criminal Law Department Presents” (Criminal Law Department), “NSL Unscripted” (National Security Law Department), “The FAR and Beyond” (Contract & Fiscal Law Department) and “Hold My Reg” (Administrative & Civil Law Department). Connect with The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School by visiting our website at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/.

In this episode, we examine how the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) replaces rigid market research checklists with professional judgment and modular acquisition strategies designed to reduce risk. The discussion highlights the shift toward outcome-based contracting and new DFARS requirements for documenting research efforts, such as analyzing capabilities and determining if tiered evaluations are appropriate.
Learn more about The Quill & Sword series of podcasts by visiting our podcast page at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/thequillandsword. The Quill & Sword show includes featured episodes from across the JAGC, plus all episodes from our four separate shows: “Criminal Law Department Presents” (Criminal Law Department), “NSL Unscripted” (National Security Law Department), “The FAR and Beyond” (Contract & Fiscal Law Department) and “Hold My Reg” (Administrative & Civil Law Department). Connect with The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School by visiting our website at https://tjaglcs.army.mil/.