Regulatory action around sustainable procurement and climate
change continues to heat up. A recent Federal Acquisition
Regulation (FAR) case on Sustainable Procurement takes another step
towards implementing the Biden administration's ambitious
vision of leveraging federal procurement to confront the climate
crisis. FAR case 2022-006 will implement portions of Executive
Order (E.O.) 14057, on Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries
and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability, and OMB Memorandum
(“OMB Memo”) M-22-06 on procuring of sustainable
products and services. The FAR case will reorganize FAR Part
23 on Environment, Energy and Water Efficiency, Renewable Energy
Technologies, Occupational Safety, and Drug-Free Workplace for
consistency and clarity. The FAR case will also update the
definition of a “biobased product” in agency
affirmative procurement programs. A report on the draft
proposed rule is due on May 18, 2022. Additional guidance from
the Council on Environmental