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FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 1: Federal Acquisition Regulations System › Subpart 1.4

FAR 1.404 Class deviations.

The codified text (eCFR, as of 2026-10-02). Under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul ↗, agencies follow class deviations with new text for many parts while the formal rules go through the Federal Register: check the solicitation and your contract's clauses, which rule.

In plain English

This section explains how class deviations from the FAR work. A class deviation affects more than one contract action, and agencies that need one permanently should propose a FAR revision. Civilian agencies other than NASA must send a copy of each approved class deviation to the FAR Secretariat.

Applies to: Civilian agencies, DOD, and NASA, and their contracting officials

What it requires

  • Civilian agencies other than NASA must furnish a copy of each approved class deviation to the FAR Secretariat.
  • An agency official who may authorize a class deviation must consult with the chairperson of the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council before doing so, unless urgency precludes consultation.
  • Recommended revisions to the FAR must be transmitted to the FAR Secretariat by agency heads or their designees for authorizing class deviations.

Key terms: class deviation · FAR Secretariat · Civilian Agency Acquisition Council · Defense FAR Supplement · contracting activity

Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.

The text

Class deviations affect more than one contract action. When an agency knows that it will require a class deviation on a permanent basis, it should propose a FAR revision, if appropriate. Civilian agencies, other than NASA, must furnish a copy of each approved class deviation to the FAR Secretariat.

(a) For civilian agencies except NASA, class deviations may be authorized by agency heads or their designees, unless 1.405(e) is applicable. Delegation of this authority shall not be made below the head of a contracting activity. Authorization of class deviations by agency officials is subject to the following limitations:

(1) An agency official who may authorize a class deviation, before doing so, shall consult with the chairperson of the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council (CAA Council), unless that agency official determines that urgency precludes such consultation.

(2) Recommended revisions to the FAR shall be transmitted to the FAR Secretariat by agency heads or their designees for authorizing class deviations.

(b) For DOD, class deviations shall be controlled, processed, and approved in accordance with the Defense FAR Supplement.

(c) For NASA, class deviations shall be controlled and approved by the Assistant Administrator for Procurement. Deviations shall be processed in accordance with agency regulations.

Sections it refers to

  • 1.405 Deviations pertaining to treaties and executive agreements.

← 1.403 Individual deviations. · 1.405 Deviations pertaining to treaties and executive agreements. →

Rule changes for FAR Part 1

Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.

FAR 1.404 Class deviations · SpendQuery