Scott Flesch discussed the Trump administration's efforts to consolidate federal procurement and overhaul the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), as detailed in Law360's midyear review of government contracting policy. Commenting on the executive order mandating that domestic procurement for common goods and services be handled solely by the General Services Administration (GSA), Flesch expressed doubt about full adoption by the Department of Defense. "I would be surprised if the DOD completely gives up its own authority and contracting systems because of the particularized nature of its procurements and the need for secure contracting across the board," he said. Flesch also addressed the administration's directive to streamline the FAR, which aims to reduce the regulation to only statutory requirements and essential provisions. While acknowledging the goal of simplifying acquisition rules, he cautioned against removing too much. "An outstanding concern is how much can be stripped away while continuing to encourage participation by small, medium, and large contractors for a diverse defense industrial base," Flesch noted.