Here are 10 developments worth knowing about, selected from 13 articles gathered this cycle and scored for relevance to federal contractors.
This Cycle's Developments
1. FAR Overhaul gives contracting officers more flexibility on contract type ↗Relevance 9/10
Washington Technology · Sep 21
FAR overhaul gives contracting officers more flexibility on contract types.
2. FAR Overhaul targets commercial buying and negotiations in newest rewrite ↗Relevance 9/10
NextGov · Sep 21
FAR overhaul targets commercial buying and negotiations, aiming to increase competition.
3. FAR Council Seeks Comments on Proposed Rule to Overhaul FAR Parts 16, 17 & 35 ↗Relevance 9/10
ExecutiveGov · Sep 21
FAR Council seeks comments on proposed rule to revise FAR Parts 16, 17, and 35.
4. Feedback on SBA’s size standard proposal running mostly negative ↗Relevance 8/10
Federal News Network · Sep 21
SBA's size standard proposal faces negative feedback, with lawmakers urging withdrawal.
5. Fixed Price Is the New Federal Default. Is Your Margin Ready? ↗Relevance 8/10
GovCon Wire · Sep 22
Shift to fixed-price contracts increases cost risk for defense contractors.
6. WT 360: Small businesses face ‘seismic’ change to their rules of the road ↗Relevance 7/10
Washington Technology · Sep 21
SBA's proposed changes to small business contracting rules are significant.
7. DIU is now the Pentagon’s one door for drone tech – here’s how to walk through ↗Relevance 7/10
Washington Technology · Sep 17
DIU consolidates drone tech programs, impacting contract strategy and supply chains.
8. Pentagon moves to scrap CAS, embrace commercial accounting standards ↗Relevance 7/10
Washington Technology · Sep 16
Pentagon moves to adopt commercial accounting standards, affecting fixed-price contracts.
9. AI agents are getting better at cybersecurity. That cuts both ways. ↗Relevance 6/10
NextGov · Sep 16
AI agents improve cybersecurity but also pose new risks, according to NIST.
10. Trump floats creating an ‘AI Force’ ↗Relevance 6/10
NextGov · Sep 21
Trump proposes an 'AI Force' similar to the Space Force for US space interests.
What Changed
Regulatory Flexibility
Contracting officers are gaining more flexibility on contract types, as announced in a FAR overhaul. The overhaul also targets commercial buying and negotiations, aiming to increase competition. Fed contractors must comply.
Small Business Changes
The Small Business Administration is considering significant changes to its size standards and contracting rules. The proposed changes are facing negative feedback from lawmakers and the small business community.
What to Do Now
- Contractors: Review the proposed FAR changes and provide comments as outlined by the FAR Council.
- Small businesses: Review the SBA's proposed size standard changes and consider submitting feedback
- Defense contractors: Evaluate your cost structure in light of the shift toward fixed-price contracts.
Sources are linked above and were published by their respective outlets. GovChime summarises and scores for relevance; it does not republish. Gathered September 23, 2026.