US maritime agency deletes 13 sets of rules, relies on federal contract standards

The US Maritime Administration (MARAD) has removed 13 sets of its own regulations that dictated terms for agreements with agents. Instead, MARAD will now rely on standard clauses from the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), which governs most federal contracts.

For decades, government agencies often created their own specific rules for how they did business, even when broader federal standards existed. This meant more paperwork and unique compliance burdens for companies working with different parts of the government. By aligning with the FAR, MARAD is simplifying its contracting process, making it easier and more predictable for companies that already work with other federal agencies.