The PGI is the result of the DFARS Transformation chartered by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. Most recently, DoD Instruction 5000.35 (Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Change 2 dated 18 August 2018) establishes policies and assigns responsibilities for the management and operation of the Defense Acquisition Regulation System, which is an organized system for the development and control of procurement and contracting policies and procedures. 

DoD significantly transformed the DFARS, to include the introduction of the PGI. As part of this transformation, DoD streamlined the DFARS so that the regulations contained therein include only requirements of law, mandatory DoD-wide policy, delegations of authority, deviations, and polices with a significant effect outside of DoD’s internal operations. The other information previously contained in the DFARS has been moved to the PGI. This includes mandatory and optional DoD internal procedures, guidance, training, and other reference material, such as agency guides and handbooks. The PGI does not include material that has a significant impact on the public or that is statutory. It provides a dynamic resource for acquisition personnel. Since the material in the PGI does not significantly impact the public, it does not have to go through the public comment process. This permits DoD to quickly publish changes to the PGI.

DFARS answers the questions “What is the policy?” and “What are the rules?” DFARS PGI connects the acquisition community to related background, procedures, and guidance; it answers the questions “How can I execute the policy?” and “Why does this policy exist?”

The DFARS consists of the following:

• Requirements of law
• Codified regulations
• DoD-wide policies
• Delegations of FAR authorities
• Deviations from FAR requirements
• Policies and procedures that have a significant effect on the public

In contrast, the PGI contains:

• Mandatory and non-mandatory internal DoD procedures
• Guidance
• Links to relevant training, policy, supplemental information, and deviations

Changes to the DFARS are:

• Managed and approved by the DAR Council
• Subject to public comments (60 days typically provided)
• Subject to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) review
• Published in the Federal Register and Code of Federal Regulations

Changes to the PGI are:

• Managed and approved by the DAR Council
• NOT subject to public comments
• NOT subject to OMB review
• NOT Published in the Federal Register and Code of Federal Regulations

Since the PGI is not subject to public comments or OMB review, changes can be made relatively quickly. As a result, the PGI is a rapid method for disseminating non-regulatory material relating to DFARS topics. The PGI is available on the Defense Acquisition Regulations System (DARS) PGI website, and is linked electronically to the DFARS. The DFARS also has links to PGI coverage.