The Government Just Changed the Rules—Are You Ready?
Federal contractors, listen up: The way the U.S. government buys is undergoing a historic transformation. Two powerful executive orders—EO 14240 and EO 14275—are rewriting the rules for government procurement.
One executive order centralizes procurement under GSA, while the other rewrites the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to streamline, modernize, and reduce red tape.
If you’re selling to the government or planning to, this isn’t just policy noise—it’s a clear signal: adapt or risk being left behind.
The Executive Orders Reshaping Procurement
Executive Order 14240: GSA Takes the Lead
This order sets the stage for GSA to become the central authority for all Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs).
What this means:
- GSA is in the process of assuming control over contracts traditionally managed by agencies like NIH (CIO-SP4) and NASA (SEWP)
- Agencies are expected to shift procurement operations to GSA and focus on mission-specific tasks
- A unified strategy for 10 major federal spend categories is being driven under GSA’s Category Management
Executive Order 14275: The FAR Is Being Rewritten
For the first time in decades, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is getting a ground-up rewrite.
Key details:
- GSA is rolling out deviation memos to pilot new language
- FAR updates will be published part-by-part
- Initial focus is on FAR Parts 1, 10, 34, and 52
- Goals: cut bureaucracy, increase speed, and open doors to small and innovative vendors
Why This Matters to Contractors
You’ll Work Through GSA More Than Ever Before
GSA is now the centralized procurement agency. That means whether you’re bidding on a small services contract or managing a seat on CIO-SP4, GSA’s policies and tools are becoming your new normal.
Expect:
- Greater reliance on GSA Advantage, eBuy, and eMod
- A shift toward Formatted Catalog Platform (FCP) for uploads and updates
- Faster acquisition cycles powered by tools like Cody AI
You Must Align with the New Digital Standards
The FAR rewrite isn’t just about policy—it’s about data. Your pricing, capability statements, and catalogs will be expected in machine-readable formats. The government wants clean, standardized submissions—and it’s your responsibility to meet that bar.
The Real-World Impact on Your Business
These changes aren’t theoretical. They’re happening now.
Here’s what to watch for:
- Increased scrutiny on data accuracy: GSA will use tools like Cody AI to validate vendor details across SAM.gov, DSBS, and FPDS
- Streamlined vendor interfaces: One point of contact (GSA) rather than agency-by-agency chaos
- Tighter catalog controls: Expect mandatory use of new upload platforms like FCP
- More small business opportunities, but only for those who align with streamlined compliance requirements
Download the GSA Procurement Cheat Sheet (PDF)
Need a clear, digestible overview of these sweeping changes?
Download our GSA Procurement Cheat Sheet, a one-page reference that outlines:
- Executive Order 14240 and 14275 essentials
- Critical contractor action items
- Updated FAR parts and deviation memos
- Direct links to official resources for staying compliant
It’s perfect for contractors, proposal managers, and internal compliance teams who want to stay ahead of the curve.
How to Prepare for GSA’s Procurement Shift
Here’s your checklist for aligning with the new acquisition ecosystem:
Audit Your Vendor Profiles
- Check for data mismatches on SAM.gov, DSBS, FPDS, and GSA Advantage
- Clean up outdated NAICS codes, reps/certs, and points of contact
Monitor the FAR Rewrite
- Visit Acquisition.gov/far-overhaul
- Review updated language in Parts 1, 10, 34, and 52
- Watch for new deviation memos weekly
Adapt to Category Management
- Understand which category your services/products belong to
- Structure your proposals with GSA category priorities in mind
Prepare for Digital Submissions
- Convert static pricing and service descriptions to machine-readable formats
- Use tools like FCP or get expert help to stay compliant
Track the Role of Cody AI
- This GSA automation tool verifies vendor data for contracting officers
- It flags discrepancies and risks—before you even submit
- Make sure your public info is synced and correct across platforms
Capitol 50 Can Help—Free Readiness Audit Available
Not sure how all these changes apply to your business?
Capitol 50 offers a FREE Government Readiness Audit to help vendors prepare for this transition.
We’ll:
- Review your SAM.gov and GSA Schedule status
- Identify red flags Cody AI would detect
- Evaluate if your pricing/catalogs are machine-readable
- Map your business to the correct procurement category
FAQs
What is Executive Order 14240?
It consolidates all major federal contracts under GSA, requiring agencies like NIH and NASA to align their buying activities with GSA’s category management.
What is Executive Order 14275?
It launches a full rewrite of the FAR, starting with deviation memos that simplify and modernize procurement rules.
How will these affect current GWACs?
GWACs like CIO-SP4 and SEWP will still exist but will be governed by GSA, meaning new policies, systems, and formats will apply.
What’s a deviation memo?
It’s a temporary rule GSA uses to test out FAR changes before they’re finalized. These are legal and in effect now.
Do small businesses benefit from these changes?
Yes—but only if they stay compliant and adopt the new digital-first submission methods.
Conclusion: The GSA-Led Future Is Here—Are You Prepared?
The federal government is not just updating procurement—it’s reinventing it. With GSA at the helm and the FAR getting smarter, contractors must evolve.
This is your chance to get ahead. Understand the executive orders, align with the new standards, and modernize your strategy before your competition does.
Let Capitol 50 guide you into this new procurement landscape with expert insights, tactical audits, and hands-on support.