Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP)

The Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) is a component of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that provides government-wide leadership and policy direction for the federal acquisition system, developing and overseeing implementation of procurement policies that govern how all federal agencies buy goods and services.

What is OFPP?

OFPP was established by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act of 1974 and is led by an Administrator appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The office serves as the central policymaking authority for the federal procurement system, working with the FAR Council (which includes GSA, DoD, and NASA) to develop and update the Federal Acquisition Regulation, issuing OMB policy memoranda that direct agency procurement practices, and promoting government-wide procurement reforms.

OFPP's policy priorities and memoranda shape the acquisition environment that contractors operate in. Notable OFPP initiatives have included: the category management initiative that consolidated federal purchasing into Best-in-Class contract vehicles; the Mythbusters series that clarified acceptable pre-award contractor communications with government agencies; guidance on commercial item acquisition; and cybersecurity acquisition policies following executive orders on cybersecurity. When OMB issues procurement policy memoranda, contracting officers across all agencies are expected to implement them.

OFPP also oversees the Federal Acquisition Certification programs (FAC-C for contracting officers, FAC-P/PM for program managers, FAC-COR for CORs) that establish professional competency standards for the acquisition workforce. Through these certifications, OFPP shapes the professional development of the government employees that contractors work with every day.

Why OFPP matters for government contractors

OFPP policy changes can affect the procurement environment significantly. Category management initiatives have changed which contract vehicles agencies can use for IT and professional services purchases. Cybersecurity executive orders have driven CMMC and supply chain risk requirements into contracts. Small business and domestic preference policy changes affect which solicitations are set aside and what domestic content requirements apply. Monitoring OFPP policy memoranda and FAR Council rulemaking activity gives contractors advance warning of regulatory changes that will affect how they compete and perform.

Example

OFPP issues a memorandum directing agencies to maximize use of Best-in-Class (BIC) contract vehicles for IT services, effectively discouraging agencies from creating new single-agency IDIQs in the IT space. A government IT services firm monitoring OFPP guidance sees the policy shift months before it affects solicitations, giving the firm time to secure positions on OASIS+ and Alliant 3 - both designated BIC vehicles - before agencies begin requiring BIC vehicles for IT procurement. Competitors that miss the policy guidance and fail to position themselves on BIC vehicles find themselves excluded from an increasing share of agency IT spending.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is OFPP different from the FAR Council?

The FAR Council (composed of GSA, DoD, and NASA) is the body that maintains the Federal Acquisition Regulation through the formal rulemaking process. OFPP provides policy direction to the FAR Council and issues supplemental OMB policy memoranda that apply government-wide. In practice, OFPP sets the policy agenda, and the FAR Council implements it through regulatory changes. OFPP's Administrator often chairs or participates in FAR Council activities.

How can contractors comment on OFPP policy proposals?

When the FAR Council proposes regulatory changes at OFPP direction, the proposals are published as proposed rules in the Federal Register with a comment period, typically 30 to 60 days. Contractors, trade associations, and other stakeholders can submit written comments through regulations.gov. Comments are reviewed and considered before the final rule is published. Industry associations like the Professional Services Council (PSC), National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), and TechAmerica routinely submit detailed comments on behalf of contractor communities.

Does OFPP have enforcement authority over contractors?

No. OFPP is a policy office, not an enforcement agency. It provides guidance, develops regulations, and oversees agency compliance with procurement policy, but enforcement of contract terms is carried out by contracting officers and agencies, not OFPP. OFPP's influence on contractors is indirect - through the regulations, policies, and acquisition workforce standards that shape how agencies conduct procurements and administer contracts.

What is the Mythbusters series and how does it affect contractor communications?

OFPP's Mythbusters initiative (started in 2011 and updated periodically) addresses misconceptions that prevent effective communication between industry and government. Common myths addressed include whether contractors can meet with agency officials before a solicitation is issued (yes, in most circumstances), whether small businesses can market to large agencies (yes), and whether contractors can share price or market data with the government (yes, with appropriate safeguards). The guidance encourages pre-solicitation engagement that benefits both agencies (through better requirements development) and contractors (through earlier intelligence on upcoming opportunities).