FAR 1.201-2—FAR Secretariat.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 1.201-2 explains who runs the FAR Secretariat and what support functions it performs for the Federal Acquisition Regulation system. It covers two main topics: first, the General Services Administration’s responsibility to establish and operate the Secretariat so the FAR can be published and distributed through the Code of Federal Regulations system, including a separate online edition with periodic updates; and second, the Secretariat’s duty to provide centralized administrative support to the two FAR councils. That support includes keeping a synopsis of current FAR cases and their status, maintaining official files, helping interested parties review files on completed cases, and handling miscellaneous administrative tasks related to maintaining the FAR. In practice, this section matters because it identifies the administrative hub that keeps the FAR current, accessible, and organized, which supports transparency, public access, and orderly rulemaking. It does not set substantive acquisition policy, but it is essential to how FAR changes are tracked, documented, and made available to the public and stakeholders.
Key Rules
GSA Operates Secretariat
The General Services Administration is responsible for establishing and operating the FAR Secretariat. This makes GSA the administrative home for the Secretariat function that supports the FAR system.
Publish and Distribute FAR
The Secretariat must publish and distribute the FAR through the Code of Federal Regulations system. The rule also requires a separate online edition with periodic updates, ensuring the FAR is available in both official and current electronic forms.
Support the Two Councils
The Secretariat must provide centralized services to the two FAR councils. These services are administrative in nature and are intended to help the councils manage FAR cases and maintenance activities efficiently.
Track FAR Cases
The Secretariat must keep a synopsis of current FAR cases and their status. This creates a central reference point for monitoring rulemaking and case progress.
Maintain Official Files
The Secretariat must maintain official files for FAR cases. These files serve as the authoritative record for completed and ongoing FAR maintenance actions.
Assist File Review
The Secretariat must assist interested parties who want to review files on completed cases. This supports transparency and public access to the FAR rulemaking record.
Handle Administrative Tasks
The Secretariat must perform miscellaneous administrative tasks related to maintaining the FAR. This catch-all duty covers other support work needed to keep the FAR system functioning smoothly.
Responsibilities
General Services Administration
Establish and operate the FAR Secretariat, and ensure the FAR is published and distributed through the CFR system, including the separate online edition with periodic updates.
FAR Secretariat
Provide centralized support services to the two FAR councils, including case tracking, official file maintenance, assistance to parties reviewing completed-case files, and other administrative tasks related to FAR maintenance.
Two FAR Councils
Rely on the Secretariat for centralized administrative support in managing FAR cases and maintaining the FAR, while using the case synopses, official files, and related services provided by the Secretariat.
Practical Implications
Contracting professionals should treat the FAR Secretariat as the central administrative source for FAR case status and official records, not as the source of substantive policy decisions.
Because the FAR is published in both the CFR and a separate online edition with periodic updates, users should verify they are relying on the most current version before applying a rule.
Interested parties seeking records on completed FAR cases should expect a formal file-review process supported by the Secretariat, so requests may require coordination and patience.
A common pitfall is assuming the Secretariat makes policy; it mainly supports publication, recordkeeping, and administration, while the councils handle the substantive FAR case work.
For agencies and contractors tracking FAR changes, the synopsis of current cases is a useful planning tool for anticipating upcoming regulatory revisions and their potential impact.
Official Regulatory Text
(a) The General Services Administration is responsible for establishing and operating the FAR Secretariat to publish and distribute the FAR through the Code of Federal Regulations system (including a separate online edition with periodic updates). (b) Additionally, the FAR Secretariat shall provide the two councils with centralized services for- (1) Keeping a synopsis of current FAR cases and their status; (2) Maintaining official files; (3) Assisting parties interested in reviewing the files on completed cases; and (4) Performing miscellaneous administrative tasks pertaining to the maintenance of the FAR.