FAR 32.112-2—Subcontractor requests for information.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 32.112-2 tells contracting officers how to respond when a subcontractor or supplier asks about payment status on a Federal contract. It applies only to contracts other than those for a commercial product or commercial service, and it requires the contracting officer to promptly tell the requester whether the prime contractor has submitted requests for progress payments or other payments to the Government and whether final payment has been made to the prime contractor. The rule exists to help subcontractors and suppliers protect themselves from payment risk by confirming whether the Government has paid the prime, which can be important when a lower-tier firm is trying to determine why it has not been paid. The section also recognizes a national security limitation: if the information is properly classified under an Executive order, the disclosure requirement does not apply. In practice, this is a narrow but important transparency rule that can help resolve payment disputes, but it does not require the Government to disclose more than the two specified facts, and it does not create a direct payment right for the subcontractor against the Government.
Key Rules
Applies to noncommercial contracts
This rule applies to Federal contracts other than those for a commercial product or commercial service. It does not create the same disclosure obligation for commercial-item contracts.
Prompt status response required
When a subcontractor or supplier asks, the contracting officer must promptly advise whether the prime contractor has submitted requests for progress payments or other payments under the contract.
Final payment status must be disclosed
The contracting officer must also tell the requester whether final payment under the contract has been made by the Federal Government to the prime contractor.
Disclosure is limited in scope
The section requires only a yes/no-type status response on the two listed payment questions. It does not require release of invoices, payment amounts, accounting records, or other contract administration details.
Classified information is excluded
The disclosure requirement does not apply to matters that are properly classified under an Executive order in the interest of national defense or foreign policy.
Classification must be proper
The exception is narrow: the information must be specifically authorized to be kept classified and properly classified under the applicable Executive order. Unclassified payment-status information remains subject to the rule.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Upon request from a subcontractor or supplier under a covered contract, promptly advise whether the prime contractor has submitted requests for progress payments or other payments and whether final payment has been made, unless the information is properly classified.
Subcontractor or Supplier
Submit a request if payment status information is needed. The requester may use the response to assess whether the prime has been paid, but cannot use this section to demand broader financial or contract records.
Prime Contractor
Although not assigned a direct duty in this section, the prime contractor’s payment requests and final payment status are the facts the contracting officer may disclose; the prime should expect that this limited status information may be shared with lower-tier firms on covered contracts.
Agency
Ensure contracting personnel understand the limited disclosure obligation and the classified-information exception, and apply the rule consistently on covered contracts.
Practical Implications
Subcontractors and suppliers can use this rule as a quick check when they suspect a payment delay, especially to confirm whether the Government has already paid the prime.
Contracting officers should respond promptly and keep the answer limited to the two required facts; over-disclosure can create unnecessary administrative or privacy issues.
This section does not make the Government responsible for paying subcontractors directly, and it does not resolve disputes about whether the prime has passed through funds.
If the contract involves classified information, the contracting officer must be careful not to disclose protected details; the exception is based on proper classification, not convenience.
A common pitfall is assuming this applies to commercial-item contracts or that it authorizes release of invoices, payment amounts, or other supporting documentation; it does not.
Official Regulatory Text
(a) In accordance with section 806(a)(1) of Public Law 102-190, as amended by sections 2091 and 8105 of Public Law 103-355 ( 10 U.S.C. 4601 note prec.), upon the request of a subcontractor or supplier under a Federal contract other than for a commercial product or commercial service, the contracting officer shall promptly advise the subcontractor or supplier as to— (1) Whether the prime contractor has submitted requests for progress payments or other payments to the Federal Government under the contract; and (2) Whether final payment under the contract has been made by the Federal Government to the prime contractor. (b) In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(1) , this subsection does not apply to matters that are- (1) Specifically authorized under criteria established by an Executive order to be kept classified in the interest of national defense or foreign policy; and (2) Properly classified pursuant to such Executive order.