FAR 36.512—Cleaning up.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 36.512 tells contracting officers when to include the clause at 52.236-12, Cleaning Up, in construction-related solicitations and contracts. It applies to fixed-price construction contracts and fixed-price contracts for dismantling, demolition, or removal of improvements, and it distinguishes between contracts expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold and those at or below it. The rule makes the clause mandatory above the threshold and discretionary at or below the threshold. In practice, this section is about ensuring the contractor is contractually responsible for removing debris, waste, and other cleanup materials associated with the work, so the site is left in the condition required by the contract. It matters because cleanup obligations can affect pricing, performance planning, safety, environmental compliance, and final acceptance of the work. For contracting officers, it is a clause-selection rule; for contractors, it is a notice that cleanup responsibilities may be expressly required and priced into the offer.
Key Rules
Mandatory above threshold
The contracting officer must insert the Cleaning Up clause at 52.236-12 when the solicitation or contract is for a fixed-price construction contract or a fixed-price dismantling, demolition, or removal of improvements contract and the expected contract amount exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold.
Discretionary at or below threshold
When the same types of fixed-price contracts are expected to be at or below the simplified acquisition threshold, the contracting officer may include the clause, but is not required to do so.
Applies to fixed-price work
This section is limited to fixed-price construction and fixed-price dismantling, demolition, or removal of improvements contracts. It does not create a general cleanup clause rule for other contract types.
Covers cleanup obligations
The purpose of the clause is to address cleanup responsibilities associated with the work, including removal of debris and other materials generated by construction, demolition, or removal activities.
Clause selection at solicitation stage
The rule directs the contracting officer to insert the clause in both solicitations and contracts, meaning the requirement should be identified before award so offerors can account for it in pricing and performance planning.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Determine whether the contemplated contract is a fixed-price construction contract or a fixed-price dismantling, demolition, or removal of improvements contract, assess whether the expected amount is above or at/below the simplified acquisition threshold, and insert clause 52.236-12 when required. The contracting officer may also choose to include the clause for lower-dollar actions when appropriate.
Contractor
Review the solicitation and contract for the Cleaning Up clause, price and plan for any cleanup obligations included in the contract, and perform cleanup work in accordance with the contract requirements if the clause is included.
Agency/Requirement Owner
Define the scope of work clearly enough for the contracting officer to determine whether the contract involves construction or demolition/removal work and whether cleanup expectations should be included in the requirement.
Practical Implications
If the clause is omitted when it is mandatory, the solicitation or contract may be incomplete and cleanup responsibilities may be harder to enforce.
Contractors should treat cleanup as a priced performance obligation, not an afterthought, because debris removal and site restoration can materially affect cost and schedule.
For demolition and removal contracts, cleanup can be a major part of the work, so the presence or absence of the clause can change how bidders structure their proposals.
Contracting officers should make the threshold determination early, because the clause decision affects competition, pricing, and post-award administration.
Even when the clause is optional at or below the simplified acquisition threshold, including it can reduce ambiguity about who is responsible for site cleanup and final condition of the work area.
Official Regulatory Text
The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.236-12 , Cleaning Up, in solicitations and contracts when a fixed-price construction contract or a fixed-price dismantling, demolition, or removal of improvements contract is contemplated and the contract amount is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. The contracting officer may insert the clause in solicitations and contracts when a fixed-price construction or a fixed-price contract for dismantling, demolition, or removal of improvements is contemplated and the contract amount is expected to be at or below the simplified acquisition threshold.