FedRAMP vs. FAR 2.0: What Security Leaders Need to Know 

Released in late 2025, FAR 2.0 is causing some confusion among executive teams. While security and compliance leaders are familiar with the need for FedRAMP compliance, some executives have confused this mainstay federal security framework with the relatively new FAR 2.0 rules. Some have even questioned whether FedRAMP is still required or relevant at all. 

As security leaders face questions and confusion from their executive peers, Tevora has outlined the key information that CISOs need to know as they field questions about FAR 2.0 in relation to FedRAMP. Here, we’ll provide some information and talking points that support security leaders in their executive conversations. 

Does FAR 2.0 Replace FedRAMP Requirements? 

To cut to the crux of the issue, the answer is simply, “no.” FAR 2.0 does not eliminate or replace FedRAMP requirements. Demonstrating FedRAMP compliance is still necessary for cloud services handling federal information. The goal of FAR 2.0 is to make procurement easier, but security authorization requirements do not go away. 

Instead, FAR 2.0 modernization efforts aim to simplify federal procurement and reduce barriers to entry for commercial cloud technologies by streamlining acquisition rules, removing duplicative requirements, and making it easier for agencies to buy and adopt commercially available solutions. This does not replace or remove federal security requirements. Cloud service providers are still expected to meet FedRAMP or equivalent security standards when handling federal data. 

What is FAR 2.0? 

Let’s take a step back. What is FAR 2.0?  

Originally announced in mid-2025, FAR 2.0 is an overhaul of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), which guides US Government Procurement. The new 2.0 release was in response to the Executive Order, “Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement”. 

FAR 2.0 seeks to streamline and modernize federal acquisition regulations. Its stated goals include: reducing bureaucratic friction, increasing acquisition speed, and encouraging commercial innovation. 

FAR 2.0 is not a security framework and does not redefine baseline cybersecurity requirements. 

What FAR 2.0 Does Not Do 

• Does not remove FedRAMP authorization requirements 
• Does not allow agencies to bypass cloud security due diligence 
• Does not eliminate FISMA obligations for federal systems 
• Does not permit use of unsecured commercial SaaS for federal data 

FedRAMP’s Role Remains Intact 

Even as FAR 2.0 attempts to impact procurement processes, FedRAMP remains intact as the government-wide standard for cloud security authorization. Agencies are still required to ensure cloud systems meet NIST 800-53-based controls, and to useFedRAMP Authorized systems or perform agency-specific ATOs aligned to FedRAMP baselines. 

Where the Confusion Is Coming From 

Although FedRAMP remains in play, general confusion has muddied conversations around this required framework. Some of the misunderstanding likely stems from an increased emphasis within FAR 2.0 on commercial item acquisition, or new language around reducing barriers to entry. 

There also may be confusion around the relevance of FedRAMP because of separate efforts around FedRAMP process reform. While not yet released, expected future changes to FedRAMP may streamline how companies enter the federal market andcould emphasize accelerated FedRAMP pathways (such as the recent FedRAMP 20x initiative). That said, these potential changes do not eliminate the need for security authorization. 

What This Means for Security Leaders 

Despite questions you may receive about FAR 2.0, you still need a FedRAMP strategy to sell cloud services to the federal government. While FAR 2.0 may help accelerate procurement once authorized and improve time-to-award (reduce Procurement Administrative Lead Time), it will not reduce the compliance bar for handling federal data. 

Still have questions?  

If you’re still facing questions or confusion around FAR 2.0 as it relates to FedRAMP requirements, please reach out to [email protected] for an in-depth conversation about your particular situation.