What is the correct order of requirements documents as mandated by FAR?

The correct order of requirements documents as mandated by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) starts with documents mandated by law. This reflects the importance of complying with legal and regulatory requirements as the foundation upon which all other requirements build.

Following that, performance-oriented documents ensure that the needs and objectives of the acquisition are articulated in a way that focuses on the results to be achieved rather than specifying the means to achieve those results. This is crucial for allowing flexibility and innovation in how contractors meet the government's requirements.

Next in the order are detailed design-oriented documents, which provide specific guidance on how to meet the performance requirements. These documents are crucial for projects where precise specifications and instructions are necessary to achieve the desired outcome.

Finally, government standards sit at the end of this sequence. While they are important, they typically serve to provide a framework or guide against which both performance and design-oriented requirements can be measured or enforced, rather than being the primary focus in the initial stages of defining requirements.

This ordering reflects a logical progression from mandatory legal compliance through performance-focused requirements to more specific design and standards considerations, ensuring a comprehensive and thorough approach to acquisition planning.