How does the "FAR" (Federal Acquisition Regulation) relate to state contracts?

The rationale behind the association of state laws with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) for consistency is rooted in the overarching nature of procurement practices. While FAR is specific to federal contracts and generally does not apply to state contracts directly, many states adopt similar principles or structures in their procurement laws and regulations. This helps ensure uniformity, efficiency, and compatibility among government procurement processes at different levels—federal, state, and local.

State governments often look to FAR as a model due to its comprehensive guidelines on how to conduct acquisitions, manage contracts, and ensure compliance with federal standards. This leads to the development of state procurement laws that reflect the same or similar principles to promote best practices in contract management, transparency, and accountability.

In this context, while FAR does not govern state contracts, its influence is significant enough that many state laws align with its principles to ensure consistency across different levels of government, facilitating smoother interactions and exchanges between state and federal entities.