Department of Defense

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is amending its regulations to establish three danger zones in the waters of Carr Creek and Whitehall Bay in the vicinity of the Naval Support Activity Annapolis. The danger zone in Carr Creek is necessary to enable safe operation of the United States Naval Academy firing range and to reflect the routine and periodic usage of the firing range for training Sailors, Midshipmen, and law enforcement personnel. The two danger zones in Whitehall Bay are necessary to enable the safe operation of the United States Naval Academy firing range and to reflect irregular and infrequent usage of the range for training Sailors, Midshipmen, and law enforcement personnel. The firing range faces Carr Creek and, during times of operation, may present a danger to vessels located in the proposed danger zones.

DoD is finalizing revisions to implement requirements of section 1257 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023. This statute prohibits assistance to entertainment projects such as feature motion pictures, episodic television programs, documentaries, and computer-based games that have complied or are likely to comply with a demand from the Government of the People's Republic of China (PRC), the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), or an entity under the direction of the PRC or the CCP to censor the content of the project in a material manner to advance the national interest of the PRC. This final rule informs producers and production companies that request DoD assistance about the procedures needed to implement the restrictions imposed by section 1257. It includes a discussion of the information the Department will use to determine whether to assist or continue to assist an entertainment project. It also describes the DoD certification process and includes two updated sample Production Assistance Agreements (PAA) implementing section 1257 provisions.

DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement a section of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024.

This document is issued under the joint authority of OFPP, DoD, GSA, and NASA. This Small Entity Compliance Guide has been prepared in accordance with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. It consists of a summary of the rule appearing in Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2026-01, which amends the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Interested parties may obtain further information regarding this rule by referring to FAC 2026-01, which is published elsewhere in the Rules section of this issue of the Federal Register.

OFPP, DoD, GSA, and NASA (collectively referred to as the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council, or FAR Council) are issuing a final rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to incorporate revised thresholds for application of the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement and the Free Trade Agreements, as determined by the United States Trade Representative.

This document summarizes the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) rules agreed to by OFPP, DoD, GSA, and NASA (collectively referred to as the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council) in this Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2026-01. A companion document, the Small Entity Compliance Guide (SECG), is published elsewhere in the Rules section of this issue of the Federal Register.

This final rule removes this DoD regulation concerning cooperation with the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) in carrying out OSC's responsibilities to conduct investigations of alleged prohibited personnel practices and ensure the investigation of other allegations of improper or illegal conduct that OSC refers to DoD. This part does not reflect the current policy set forth in the DoD directive referenced in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section, and is being removed rather than updated. The rule does not impose obligations on members of the public. Therefore, this part may be removed from the CFR.

As required by the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (NDAA-23), this rule reduces financial harm to civilians who are not covered beneficiaries of the Military Health System (MHS), and who receive healthcare services at DoD military medical treatment facilities (MTF). The rulemaking implements the MHS Modified Payment and Waiver Program (MPWP) through which the DoD applies a sliding fee scale and/or a catastrophic fee waiver to medical invoices of certain non-beneficiaries and accepts payments from health insurers of non-beneficiaries as full payment except for copays, coinsurance, deductibles, nominal fees and non- covered services.

This final rule removes DoD's regulation concerning the internal procedures of the Stars and Stripes Media Organization (often abbreviated as Stripes). The regulation is unnecessary and may be removed from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) because it does not have an impact or burden to the public.

Nationwide Permits (NWPs) authorize activities under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 that have no more than minimal individual and cumulative adverse environmental effects. The NWPs help protect the aquatic environment and the public interest by providing incentives to reduce impacts to jurisdictional waters. In this final action, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is reissuing 56 existing nationwide permits (NWPs), general conditions, and definitions, with some modifications. The Corps is also issuing one new NWP.

As directed by the Executive Order "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government," issued January 30, 2025, the Department is removing the procedures for retirees, dependents, and contractor employees to request a change to their "gender marker" in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).

DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to incorporate contractual requirements related to the final Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program rule, titled Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Program. This final DFARS rule also partially implements a section of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 that directed the Secretary of Defense to develop a consistent, comprehensive framework to enhance cybersecurity for the U.S. defense industrial base.

DoD is correcting a final rule that published in the Federal Register on August 25, 2025, to correct the provision date in section 252.209-7011.

This document is issued under the joint authority of OFPP, DoD, GSA, and NASA. This Small Entity Compliance Guide has been prepared in accordance with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. It consists of a summary of the rule appearing in Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2025-06, which amends the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Interested parties may obtain further information regarding this rule by referring to FAC 2025-06, which precedes this document.

OFPP, DoD, GSA, and NASA (collectively referred to as the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council, or FAR Council) are issuing a final rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to further implement a statute, which requires an adjustment every five years of statutory acquisition-related thresholds for inflation. The adjustment uses the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers and does not apply to the Construction Wage Rate Requirements statute, Service Contract Labor Standards statute, performance and payment bonds, and trade agreements thresholds. OFPP, DoD, GSA, and NASA are also using the same methodology to adjust nonstatutory FAR acquisition-related thresholds in 2025.

This document summarizes the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) rules agreed to by OFPP, DoD, GSA, and NASA (collectively referred to as the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council) in this Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2025-06. A companion document, the Small Entity Compliance Guide (SECG), follows this FAC.

DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement sections of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, which amend a section of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 that provides for the limitation of funds, authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available for any fiscal year for DoD, to be provided to an institution of higher education that hosts a Confucius Institute.

DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement a section of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, which prohibits contracting officers from awarding contracts assigned certain North American Industry Classification System codes to offerors holding contracts that involve consulting services with certain covered foreign entities.

DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to further implement the statute that requires an adjustment every 5 years of statutory acquisition-related thresholds for inflation. The adjustment uses the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers and does not apply to the Construction Wage Rate Requirements statute (Davis-Bacon Act), Service Contract Labor Standards statute, performance and payment bonds, and trade agreements thresholds. DoD also used the same methodology to adjust some nonstatutory DFARS acquisition-related thresholds in 2025.

DoD is amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to make needed editorial changes.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is issuing this final rule to adjust its civil monetary penalties (CMP) under the Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act of 1922 (RHA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), and the National Fishing Enhancement Act (NFEA) to account for inflation.

In accordance with the Executive Order titled "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government," this amendment rule removes text in this CFR part that promotes or otherwise inculcates gender ideology. This change is purely administrative.

This document amends the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to make needed editorial changes.

OFPP, DoD, GSA, and NASA (collectively referred to as the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council, or FAR Council) have adopted as final, without changes, an interim rule that amended the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to clarify System for Award Management preaward registration requirements.

This document is issued under the joint authority of OFPP, DoD, GSA, and NASA. This Small Entity Compliance Guide has been prepared in accordance with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. It consists of a summary of the rules appearing in Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2025-05, which amends the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Interested parties may obtain further information regarding these rules by referring to FAC 2025-05, which precedes this document.

This document summarizes the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) rules agreed to by OFPP, DoD, GSA, and NASA (collectively referred to as the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council) in this Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2025-05. A companion document, the Small Entity Compliance Guide (SECG), follows this FAC.

The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs (ASD(HA)) issues this final rule regarding circumstances under which services and supplies related to emerging treatments may be covered under the TRICARE program. This rule finalizes provisions published in two interim final rules (IFRs) with request for comment, which temporarily added coverage for the treatment use of investigational drugs under U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-authorized expanded access (EA) programs when for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and permitted coverage of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID)-sponsored clinical trials for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19. This final rule discusses the DoD's decision not to make permanent the coverage of treatment use of investigational drugs under FDA EA programs while updating language for care associated with their administration and broadens the COVID-19 clinical trial benefit to include coverage of clinical trials sponsored or approved by any National Institutes of Health (NIH) Center or Institute to treat or prevent infectious diseases associated with a pandemic or epidemic. Lastly, the final rule expands TRICARE's clinical trial benefit by covering services and supplies provided in conjunction with Phase I, II, III, and IV clinical trials that are NIH-sponsored or approved and that involve a new treatment or cure for a specific condition or the treatment of a currently uncontrolled symptom or aspect of that condition, provided that the condition is severely debilitating, life- threatening, or a rare disease.

The Department of Defense (Department or DoD) is issuing a final rule to amend its regulations to exempt portions of DoD-0020, Military Human Resource Records system of records from certain provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974. Specifically, the rule exempts portions of the Military Human Resource Records from certain provisions of the Privacy Act because of national security, and to prevent the undermining of evaluation materials used to determine potential for promotion.

In accordance with the Executive Order titled "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government," this amendment rule removes text in this CFR part that promotes or otherwise inculcates gender ideology. This change is purely administrative.

The Army is issuing this document to correct the interim final rule published on July 3, 2025. That document inadvertently provided inaccurate instruction with regard to paragraph (a) of Sec. 325.2. This document corrects the interim final rule.

This interim final rule removes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) implementing regulations, used for evaluating permit applications, which were promulgated to supplement now-rescinded Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations, and replaces them with a new regulation that also address requests for permission under Section 14 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899. Further, the Army is also making conforming changes to its regulations to eliminate references to Appendix B and other NEPA implementation regulations. In addition, this interim final rule requests comments on this action and related matters to inform Army's decision making.

This interim final rule rescinds the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' (Corps) regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the Army Civil Works program, except for the Categorical Exclusions contained therein, because the Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) NEPA regulations, which the Corps' regulations were meant to supplement, have been removed from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and because the DoD is promulgating Department-wide NEPA procedures that will guide the Army Civil Works' NEPA process. In addition, this interim final rule requests comments on this action.

This interim final rule rescinds the Department of the Army regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), because the Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) NEPA regulations, which they were meant to supplement, have been rescinded, and because the DoD is promulgating Department-wide NEPA procedures that will guide the Army's NEPA process. In addition, this interim final rule requests comments on this action and related matters.

This interim final rule rescinds DON's regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), because the Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) NEPA regulations, which they were meant to supplement, have been rescinded, and because the DoD is promulgating Department-wide NEPA procedures that will guide the Navy's NEPA process. In addition, this interim final rule requests comments on this action.

The DAF is rescinding its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations because the Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) NEPA regulations, which they were meant to supplement, have been rescinded, and because the DoD is promulgating Department-wide NEPA procedures that will guide DAF's NEPA process.

This document is issued under the joint authority of OFPP, DoD, GSA, and NASA. This Small Entity Compliance Guide has been prepared in accordance with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. It consists of a summary of the rules appearing in Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2025-04, which amends the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Interested parties may obtain further information regarding these rules by referring to FAC 2025-04, which precedes this document.

This document amends the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to make needed editorial changes.

This document summarizes the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) rules agreed to by OFPP, DoD, GSA, and NASA (collectively referred to as the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council) in this Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2025-04. A companion document, the Small Entity Compliance Guide (SECG), follows this FAC.

The ASD(HA) is issuing this final rule to revise the definition of drafts, currently defined as paper instruments, within the regulation governing the WIC Overseas Program. This final rule modernizes the definition of drafts to include not only paper instruments but also other methods and processes, including electronic benefit transfers. The rule is being published as a final rule as the change to the definition of drafts involve only a minor, technical amendment to the existing regulation. The Department has determined that notice and comment would be unnecessary and contrary to public interest.

DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement a section of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, which addresses the validation of proprietary data restrictions.

DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement sections of the National Defense Authorization Acts for Fiscal Year 2021 that defines the term "material weakness" for Government evaluation of contractor business systems. The term "material weakness" replaces the term "significant deficiency."

DoD is amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to make needed editorial changes.

The DoD is issuing this final rule to adjust each of its statutory civil monetary penalties (CMP) to account for inflation. The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, as amended by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 and the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (the 2015 Act), requires the head of each agency to adjust for inflation its CMP levels in effect as of November 2, 2015, under a revised methodology that was effective for 2016 and for each year thereafter.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) ACF is correcting a final rule (FR) that was published in the Federal Register on December 19, 2024, with an effective date of January 17, 2025. This rule establishes Agency Specific Procedures (ASPs) for the Corps to implement the Principles, Requirements, and Guidelines (PR&G) for Federal water resources investments. It provides a framework to govern how the Corps would evaluate proposed water resources investments, subject to the PR&G. The rule incorporates recommendations from interested parties. This correction ensures that this final rule will be effective 30 days after its publication on December 19, 2024, which is January 18, 2025.

This document summarizes the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) rules agreed to by the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) in this Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2025-03. A companion document, the Small Entity Compliance Guide (SECG), follows this FAC.

This document is issued under the joint authority of DoD, GSA, and NASA. This Small Entity Compliance Guide has been prepared in accordance with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. It consists of a summary of the rules appearing in Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2025-03, which amends the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Interested parties may obtain further information regarding these rules by referring to FAC 2025-03, which precedes this document.

DoD, GSA, and NASA are issuing a final rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement regulatory changes made by the Small Business Administration to add incentives for certain United States territories under the Small Business Administration mentor-prot[eacute]g[eacute] program.

DoD, GSA, and NASA are issuing a final rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement regulatory changes made by the Small Business Administration to order-level size and socioeconomic status rerepresentation requirements.

DoD, GSA, and NASA are issuing a final rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to improve consistency between the procurement and nonprocurement procedures on suspension and debarment, based on the recommendations of the Interagency Suspension and Debarment Committee.

DoD, GSA, and NASA issued an interim rule on November 12, 2024, amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement a prohibition on the procurement and operation of unmanned aircraft systems manufactured or assembled by an American Security Drone Act- covered foreign entity. The deadline for submitting comments is being extended from January 13, 2025, to January 27, 2025, to provide additional time for interested parties to provide comments on the proposed rule. The effective date of this rule is not being changed and remains November 12, 2024.

DoD, GSA, and NASA are issuing a final rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement a section of the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2018, which requires that domestic carriers who contract with the Federal Government to provide air transportation must submit an annual report with certain information related to prevention of human trafficking.

This rule establishes Agency Specific Procedures (ASPs) for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to implement the Principles, Requirements, and Guidelines (PR&G) for Federal water resources investments. It provides a framework to govern how the Corps would evaluate proposed water resources investments, subject to the PR&G. The rule incorporates recommendations from interested parties. The Army is issuing this rule in response to congressional direction in the Water Resources Development Act of 2020.

DoD is amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to make needed editorial changes.

DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement a section of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 that provides directions for awarding architectural and engineering service task orders and delivery orders under multiple-award contracts.

DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement the data rights portions of the Small Business Innovation Research Program and Small Business Technology Transfer Program Policy Directives.

This document is issued under the joint authority of DoD, GSA, and NASA. This Small Entity Compliance Guide has been prepared in accordance with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. It consists of a summary of the rules appearing in Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2025-02, which amends the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Interested parties may obtain further information regarding these rules by referring to FAC 2025-02, which precedes this document.

This document amends the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to make needed editorial changes.

DoD, GSA, and NASA have adopted as final, without change, an interim rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement the final rules published by the Small Business Administration to implement sections of the National Defense Authorization Acts for Fiscal Years 2021 and 2022.

DoD, GSA, and NASA are issuing a final rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement a section of the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2018, which requires that domestic carriers who contract with the Federal Government to provide air transportation must submit an annual report with certain information related to prevention of human trafficking.

This document summarizes the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) rules agreed to by the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council (Councils) in this Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2025-02. A companion document, the Small Entity Compliance Guide (SECG), follows this FAC.

This interim final rule implements Section 523 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, which requires the DoD to provide Service members and their authorized representatives with one final review of requests for an upgrade in the characterization of a discharge or dismissal. This rule establishes the Discharge Appeal Review Board (DARB) as the DoD authority responsible for considering such requests after all other administrative remedies have been exhausted. This rule also details the procedures for a petitioner and their authorized representatives to request this final review, the standards the DARB will apply when considering a petitioner's request, and the procedures the Military Departments will follow after the DARB adjudicates the request. The purpose of DARB review is to ensure uniform standards of review are met for requests for upgrades of a discharge or dismissal regardless of the petitioner's service affiliation.

DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to provide updates to the existing definition of "departments and agencies."

DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement a section of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 that provides direction to contracting officers evaluating the past performance of small business concerns.

DoD is issuing a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement sections of the National Defense Authorization Acts for Fiscal Years 2018 and 2019 regarding the applicability of certain solicitation provisions and contract clauses to contracts and subcontracts for commercial products, commercial services, and commercially available off-the-shelf items.

DoD is amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to make needed editorial changes.

This document is issued under the joint authority of DoD, GSA, and NASA. This Small Entity Compliance Guide has been prepared in accordance with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. It consists of a summary of the rules appearing in Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2025-01, which amends the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Interested parties may obtain further information regarding these rules by referring to FAC 2025-01, which precedes this document.

DoD, GSA, and NASA are issuing an interim rule amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to clarify System for Award Management preaward registration requirements.

DoD is seeking information that will assist in the development of a revision to the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement sections of the National Defense Authorization Acts for Fiscal Years 2021 and 2022 that address the prohibition on the acquisition of covered printed circuit boards from a covered nation.

DoD is proposing to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement sections of the National Defense Authorization Acts for Fiscal Years 2024, 2025, and 2026. These sections require a certification for certain DoD contracts related to military recruitment advertising and provide a sunset date for that requirement.

DoD is proposing to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement sections of the National Defense Authorization Acts for Fiscal Years 2024, 2025, and 2026. These sections provide a requirement for full domestic production of flags of the United States acquired by DoD, amend an exception to the requirement to buy certain articles from American sources, and expand the domestic sourcing requirement for seafood acquired for commissary resale.

OFPP, DoD, GSA, and NASA (collectively referred to as the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council or FAR Council) are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement Executive Order (E.O.) 14275, Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement. The E.O. directs the elimination of excessive acquisition regulations to stop the inefficient use of American taxpayer dollars. The FAR Council is issuing twelve proposed rules that collectively will streamline the FAR in its entirety. This rule proposes revisions to FAR parts 3 and 49.

OFPP, DoD, GSA, and NASA (collectively referred to as the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council or FAR Council) are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement Executive Order (E.O.) 14275, Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement. The E.O. directs the elimination of excessive acquisition regulations to stop the inefficient use of American taxpayer dollars. The FAR Council is issuing twelve proposed rules that collectively will streamline the FAR in its entirety. This rule proposes revisions to FAR parts 5, 24, 29, and 52.

OFPP, DoD, GSA, and NASA (collectively referred to as the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council or FAR Council) are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement Executive Order (E.O.) 14275, Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement. The E.O. directs the elimination of excessive acquisition regulations to stop the inefficient use of American taxpayer dollars. The FAR Council is issuing twelve proposed rules that collectively will streamline the FAR in its entirety. This rule proposes revisions to FAR parts 6, 7, 10, 18, 26, 37, 41, and 52.

OFPP, DoD, GSA, and NASA (collectively referred to as the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council or FAR Council) are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement Executive Order (E.O.) 14275, Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement. The E.O. directs the elimination of excessive acquisition regulations to stop the inefficient use of American taxpayer dollars. The FAR Council is issuing twelve proposed rules that collectively will streamline the FAR in its entirety. This rule proposes revisions to FAR parts 1, 2, 4, 33, 39, 40, 52, and 53.

DoD is proposing to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement sections of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2020 and 2021 to mitigate risks related to beneficial ownership or foreign ownership, control, or influence. This proposed rule also implements elements of a DoD policy.

The Department of Defense (Department or DoD) is giving notice of a proposed rulemaking to exempt portions of the "Inspector General Criminal Investigation Records," CIG-04, system of records from certain provisions of the Privacy Act because of national security and law enforcement requirements and to avoid interference during the conduct of criminal investigations. The DoD is giving concurrent notice of a modified system of records elsewhere in today's issue of the Federal Register.

OFPP, DoD, GSA, and NASA (collectively referred to as the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council, or FAR Council) are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to partially implement a section of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 which prohibits executive agencies from procuring or obtaining certain products and services that include covered semiconductor products or services effective December 23, 2027.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of the Army ("the agencies") are publishing for public comment a proposed rule revising the regulations defining the scope of waters federally covered under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, also known as the Clean Water Act, in light of the U.S. Supreme Court's 2023 decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency. With this proposed rule, the agencies intend to provide greater regulatory certainty and increase Clean Water Act program predictability and consistency by clarifying the definition of "waters of the United States." This proposed rule is also intended to implement the overall objective of the Clean Water Act to restore and maintain the quality of the Nation's waters while respecting State and Tribal authority over their own land and water resources.

DoD is proposing to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement a section of the William M. Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 that provides a requirement to disclose DoD funds in public documents resulting from research or development.

The Department of Defense (Department or DoD) is giving concurrent notice of a new Department-wide system of records pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974 for the DoD-0027, "Suspension and Debarment Records" system of records and this proposed rulemaking. In this proposed rulemaking, the Department proposes to exempt portions of this system of records from certain provisions of the Privacy Act because of law enforcement and confidential source considerations.

OFPP, DoD, GSA, and NASA, collectively referred to as the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council (FAR Council), are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to ensure agencies procure straws with the strength and durability of plastic in accordance with the National Strategy to End the Use of Paper Straws.

The Department of Defense (Department or DoD) is giving concurrent notice of a new Department-wide system of records pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974 for the DoD-0025, "Counterintelligence Investigations and Collection Activities (CICA)" system of records and this proposed rulemaking. In this proposed rulemaking, the Department proposes to exempt portions of this system of records from certain provisions of the Privacy Act to protect national security and law enforcement interests.

DoD is withdrawing the proposed rule to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) for the case titled: Public Access to Results of Federally Funded Research (DFARS Case 2020- D028). DoD has determined that the proposed rule's objectives of improving public access to research results are sufficiently addressed in existing policy and regulation, and do not require implementation in the DFARS. Accordingly, this proposed rule is withdrawn, and the DFARS case is closed.

DoD is withdrawing the proposed rule to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) for the case titled: 8(a) Program (DFARS Case 2024-D025). Accordingly, this proposed rule is withdrawn, and the DFARS case is closed.

Nationwide Permits (NWPs) are issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to authorize categories of activities under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 that have no more than minimal individual and cumulative adverse environmental effects. The Corps is proposing to reissue its existing NWPs and associated general conditions and definitions, with some modifications. The Corps is proposing to issue one new NWP. The proposed new NWP would authorize activities to improve the passage of fish and other aquatic organisms through aquatic ecosystems. In addition, the Corps is proposing to modify some other NWPs to simplify and clarify those NWPs. The proposed modifications to the NWPs general conditions, and definitions are intended to reduce burdens on the regulated public and continue to comply with the statutory requirement that NWPs authorize only activities with no more than minimal individual and cumulative adverse environmental effects. The Corps is proposing to modify two of the 2021 NWPs (i.e., NWP 48 for commercial shellfish mariculture activities and NWP 56 for finfish mariculture activities) to address litigation on those NWPs. The Corps is requesting comment on all aspects of these proposed NWPs.

OFPP, DoD, GSA, and NASA (collectively referred to as the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council, or FAR Council) are withdrawing the proposed rule to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) titled: Small Business Participation on Certain Multiple-Award Contracts.

OFPP, DoD, GSA, and NASA (collectively referred to as the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council, or FAR Council) are withdrawing the proposed rule to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) titled: Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer. The FAR Council will re-evaluate implementation following the finalization of the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul initiative. Accordingly, this proposed rule is withdrawn, and the FAR case is closed.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army intend to engage with State and Tribal co- regulators; industry and agricultural stakeholders; environmental and conservation stakeholders; and the public on certain key topics related to the implementation of the definition of "waters of the United States" in light of the Supreme Court's 2023 decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency. The agencies are committed to learning from the past regulatory approaches--the pre-2015 regulations and guidance, the 2015 Clean Water Rule, the 2020 Navigable Waters Protection Rule, the 2023 Rule, and the Amended 2023 Rule--while engaging with stakeholders before taking further administrative action to provide any additional clarification to agency staff, co-regulators, and the public on specific aspects of the definition of "waters of the United States." This notice includes an announcement of forthcoming listening sessions on specific key topic areas to hear interested stakeholders' perspectives on defining "waters of the United States" consistent with the Supreme Court's interpretation of the scope of Clean Water Act jurisdiction and how to implement that interpretation as the agencies consider next steps. The agencies are also accepting written recommendations from members of the public via a recommendations docket. These opportunities are intended to provide for broad, transparent engagement with a full spectrum of stakeholders.

DoD is proposing to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to further implement the statute that requires an adjustment every 5 years of statutory acquisition-related thresholds for inflation. The adjustment uses the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers and does not apply to the Construction Wage Rate Requirements statute (Davis-Bacon Act), Service Contract Labor Standards statute, performance and payment bonds, and trade agreements thresholds. DoD is also proposing to use the same methodology to adjust some nonstatutory DFARS acquisition-related thresholds in 2025.

DoD, GSA, and NASA are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to clarify protest rights for orders set aside under certain multiple-award contracts.

DoD, GSA, and NASA are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to issue policy on small business participation on certain multiple-award contracts.

DoD, GSA, and NASA are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement the Preventing Organizational Conflicts of Interest in Federal Acquisition Act. The statute requires the FAR to provide and update definitions, guidance, and examples related to organizational conflicts of interest, including the creation of solicitation provisions and contract clauses to avoid or mitigate organizational conflicts of interest. The statute also requires the FAR to permit contracting officers to consider professional standards and procedures to prevent organizational conflicts of interest to which an offeror or contractor is subject.

DoD, GSA, and NASA are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement the National Archives and Records Administration's Controlled Unclassified Information Program enacted under an Executive Order entitled Controlled Unclassified Information.

DoD, GSA, and NASA are withdrawing the proposed rule to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) titled: Disclosure of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate-Related Financial Risk. Executive Order 14030, directed the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council to consider amending the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) require major Federal suppliers to publicly disclose greenhouse gas emissions and climate-related financial risk and to set science-based reduction targets. A proposed rule was published on November 14, 2022. The agencies lack sufficient time during the Biden-Harris Administration to finalize the proposal. In addition, the agencies' analysis of public comments indicates an evolving practices and standards in industry, and an evolving domestic and international regulatory landscape. Accordingly, this proposed rule is withdrawn, and the FAR case is closed.

DoD, GSA, and NASA are withdrawing the proposed rule to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) titled: Pay Equity and Transparency in Federal Contracting. The Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP Administrator) is simultaneously withdrawing a proposed Government-wide policy, upon which the proposed rule was based.

DoD, GSA, and NASA are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to incorporate a framework for describing cybersecurity workforce knowledge and skill requirements used in contracts for information technology support services and cybersecurity support services in line with an Executive Order to enhance the cybersecurity workforce.

The Department of Defense (Department or DoD) is giving concurrent notice of a new Department-wide system of records pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974 for the DoD-0023, "Military Corrections and Parole Board Records" system of records and this proposed rulemaking. In this proposed rulemaking, the Department proposes to exempt portions of this system of records from certain provisions of the Privacy Act because of national security and law enforcement requirements.

The Department of Defense (Department or DoD) is giving concurrent notice of a modified system of records titled "Defense Sexual Assault Incident Database," DHRA 06, and this rulemaking, which exempts portions of this system of records from certain provisions of the Privacy Act to avoid interference during the conduct of criminal, civil, or administrative actions or investigations.

DoD, GSA, and NASA are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to further implement the statute, which requires an adjustment every five years of statutory acquisition- related thresholds for inflation. The adjustment uses the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers and does not apply to the Construction Wage Rate Requirements statute (Davis-Bacon Act), Service Contract Labor Standards statute, performance and payment bonds, and trade agreements thresholds. DoD, GSA, and NASA are also proposing to use the same methodology to adjust nonstatutory FAR acquisition-related thresholds in 2025.

DoD is proposing to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement a section of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, which prohibits DoD from acquiring products, services, or systems relating to information or operational technology, cybersecurity, industrial control systems, or weapon systems through a contract unless the offeror or contractor provides disclosures related to sharing source code and computer code with foreign governments.