1.201-2
FAR Secretariat
The FAR Secretariat, managed by GSA, ensures the FAR is published, updated, and accessible, supporting transparency and regulatory consistency.
Overview
FAR 1.201-2 outlines the responsibilities of the General Services Administration (GSA) in establishing and operating the FAR Secretariat. The Secretariat is tasked with publishing and distributing the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) through the Code of Federal Regulations, including maintaining an updated online edition. Additionally, the Secretariat provides centralized administrative services to the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council. These services include maintaining a synopsis of current FAR cases, keeping official files, assisting interested parties in reviewing completed case files, and handling other administrative tasks related to FAR maintenance.
Key Rules
- FAR Publication and Distribution
- The GSA must ensure the FAR is published and distributed, including online updates.
- Centralized Administrative Services
- The FAR Secretariat supports the two councils by maintaining case synopses, official files, and facilitating file reviews.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: No direct compliance obligations, but rely on the Secretariat for up-to-date FAR information.
- Contractors: No direct compliance requirements; benefit from transparent and accessible FAR updates and case files.
- Agencies: The GSA, through the FAR Secretariat, must fulfill publication, recordkeeping, and administrative support roles for FAR maintenance.
Practical Implications
- This section ensures the FAR is consistently updated, accessible, and transparent for all stakeholders.
- Contractors and agencies can rely on the Secretariat for accurate, current regulatory information and access to case histories.
- Common issues may include delays in updates or difficulties accessing case files, which this structure aims to minimize.