FAR 26.506—Contract clause.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 26.506 is a very short but important prescription rule that tells contracting officers when to include the Drug-Free Workplace clause at FAR 52.226-7 in solicitations and contracts. It works together with FAR 26.501, which contains the limited exceptions to the drug-free workplace requirement, so the clause is inserted unless an exception applies. In practice, this section is about ensuring the government’s drug-free workplace policy is carried into the contract through a mandatory clause, rather than left to discretion. The section does not itself define the full substance of the contractor’s obligations; instead, it directs the reader to the clause text at 52.226-7, which contains the detailed requirements. For contracting officers, the practical significance is simple: check whether an exception under 26.501 applies, and if not, include the clause in both the solicitation and the resulting contract. For contractors, the significance is that the clause may impose compliance obligations as a condition of award and performance, so they should identify it early and plan for the associated workplace policy, notice, and enforcement requirements.
Key Rules
Clause is generally mandatory
Except as provided in FAR 26.501, the contracting officer must insert FAR 52.226-7, Drug-Free Workplace, in solicitations and contracts. This makes the clause the default rule for covered acquisitions.
Exceptions control insertion
The only reason not to include the clause is if one of the exceptions in FAR 26.501 applies. The contracting officer must confirm the exception before omitting the clause.
Applies to both solicitations and contracts
The prescription requires insertion in the solicitation and in the contract, so the requirement is not limited to award documents alone. This ensures offerors are on notice before award and the obligation is binding after award.
Clause text carries the details
FAR 26.506 does not restate the contractor’s substantive duties; those are contained in FAR 52.226-7. Users must read the clause itself to understand the full compliance obligations.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Determine whether an exception in FAR 26.501 applies; if not, insert FAR 52.226-7 in the solicitation and contract; ensure the clause is included consistently in the award documents.
Contractor
Review the solicitation for the Drug-Free Workplace clause, understand the obligations imposed by FAR 52.226-7, and be prepared to comply if awarded a covered contract.
Agency
Apply the FAR prescription uniformly and support contracting personnel in using the clause when required under the drug-free workplace policy.
Practical Implications
This is a checklist item for contracting officers: if the acquisition is not covered by an exception in FAR 26.501, the clause must be included.
A common pitfall is overlooking the exception analysis and either omitting a required clause or inserting it when an exception applies; both can create compliance or administration issues.
Contractors should flag the clause early because it may require workplace policy actions, employee notices, and internal controls tied to performance.
Because the section points to the clause rather than explaining it, users should not assume the full requirement is visible here; the operative obligations are in FAR 52.226-7.
For solicitations, inclusion matters before award so offerors can price and plan for compliance rather than discovering the requirement after contract formation.
Official Regulatory Text
Except as provided in 26.501 , insert the clause at 52.226-7 , Drug-Free Workplace, in solicitations and contracts.