Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS)

The Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) is the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) supplement to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). It provides additional rules, clauses, and procedures that apply specifically to contracts and subcontracts involving the DoD.

What DFARS covers

DFARS addresses topics that are unique or especially important to defense procurement. These commonly include:

• Safeguarding controlled unclassified information (CUI) and covered defense information (CDI)
• Cybersecurity requirements for defense contractors and subcontractors (for example DFARS 252.204-7012)
• Reporting of cybersecurity incidents that affect defense information systems
• Use and control of technical data, including export-controlled information
• Special sourcing, domestic preference, and specialty metals rules
• Industrial base, subcontracting, and supply chain requirements specific to defense

DFARS is organized into parts, subparts, and sections that mirror the structure of the FAR, and it is implemented through clauses that are included in contracts and purchase orders issued by DoD contracting officers.

DFARS in manufacturing and industrial operations

In industrial and manufacturing environments that support defense programs, DFARS most often shows up as specific contract clauses that drive requirements for:

• Information systems and network security controls applied to OT and IT environments handling defense data
• Alignment with security frameworks referenced by DFARS (such as NIST SP 800-171 for protecting CUI)
• Data handling rules for technical drawings, NC programs, work instructions, and MES/ERP data that contain defense information
• Flow-down of DFARS clauses to suppliers, machine shops, special processors, and other subcontractors
• Incident reporting workflows and record-keeping when cyber events affect covered systems

Operationally, this can influence how MES, ERP, PLM, quality systems, and file repositories are configured, how access is controlled, and how audit evidence is generated and retained to demonstrate that contract clauses are being followed.

Relationship to other regulations and standards

DFARS is related to, but distinct from:

• FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation): FAR sets baseline federal acquisition rules. DFARS adds DoD-specific requirements on top of FAR.
• NIST SP 800-171: Often referenced by DFARS clauses as the security control framework for protecting CUI in non-federal systems.
• CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification): A DoD program that builds on NIST SP 800-171 and DFARS requirements to assess and verify contractor cybersecurity practices.

Common confusion

• DFARS vs DFARS 252.204-7012: DFARS is the entire DoD supplement to FAR. DFARS 252.204-7012 is a specific contract clause within DFARS that focuses on safeguarding covered defense information and cyber incident reporting.
• DFARS vs CMMC: DFARS is a regulatory supplement that defines contract requirements. CMMC is an assessment and maturity model used to evaluate whether contractors meet certain cybersecurity expectations, many of which originate from DFARS and NIST SP 800-171 references.

Context for regulated manufacturers

For manufacturers and industrial operations that build parts, assemblies, or systems for the DoD, DFARS commonly determines how digital technical data may be stored and shared, which environments (for example, government clouds or specific hosting regions) are acceptable, and what kinds of cybersecurity controls and incident response processes must be in place across the supply chain.