FAR 36.515—Schedules for construction contracts.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 36.515 addresses when a contracting officer may include the clause at 52.236-15, Schedules for Construction Contracts, in a solicitation or contract. It applies to fixed-price construction contracts expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold when the actual period of performance will be more than 60 days, and it also allows use for shorter jobs if an unusual situation justifies the requirement. The section is about schedule control in construction contracting: it gives the Government a way to require a contractor to prepare and follow a detailed progress schedule so the contracting officer can monitor performance and identify delays early. It also warns against mixing this clause with other clauses that use different management approaches to ensure adequate progress, because overlapping schedule-control mechanisms can create confusion, duplication, or inconsistent enforcement. In practice, this provision helps agencies manage construction timelines, but it should be used selectively and only when the contract facts support it.
Key Rules
Fixed-price construction only
The clause is intended for fixed-price construction contracts. The contracting officer may consider it when the contract is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold and the work will last more than 60 days.
Short-duration exception
Even if the work is expected to last less than 60 days, the clause may still be inserted when an unusual situation exists that makes the schedule requirement appropriate. This is an exception, not the normal rule, so the contracting officer should have a clear justification.
Schedule control purpose
The clause is used to require and manage construction schedules so the Government can track progress and detect slippage. It is a project-control tool, not a substitute for broader contract administration or performance management.
Avoid conflicting clauses
The clause should not be used in the same contract with other clauses that cover different management approaches for ensuring adequate progress. The goal is to avoid duplicative or inconsistent schedule-management requirements.
Discretionary insertion
The regulation says the contracting officer 'may' insert the clause, which means it is permissive rather than mandatory. The decision should be based on the contract type, dollar value, duration, and whether the schedule requirement is actually needed.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Decide whether to include FAR 52.236-15 based on the contract type, estimated value, duration, and any unusual circumstances. Ensure the clause is not combined with other progress-control clauses that would create conflicting management approaches.
Contractor
If the clause is included, prepare and maintain the required construction schedule and use it to manage and report progress as required by the contract. The contractor must coordinate work to stay aligned with the approved or required schedule.
Agency/Project Team
Support the contracting officer by identifying whether schedule oversight is needed and whether any unusual situation justifies use of the clause for a short-duration project. Coordinate administration so schedule requirements are consistent with the project’s overall management approach.
Practical Implications
This section is mainly about when to require a formal construction schedule, so it matters most on projects where timing and sequencing are critical.
A common pitfall is inserting the clause automatically without checking whether the contract is fixed-price, above the simplified acquisition threshold, and expected to run more than 60 days.
Another risk is using this clause together with other progress-monitoring clauses or management tools that serve the same purpose, which can create conflicting obligations or duplicate oversight.
For short projects, the clause should be used only when there is a real, documented unusual situation; otherwise it may add unnecessary administrative burden.
Contractors should review the solicitation carefully because schedule requirements can affect pricing, staffing, subcontractor coordination, and the risk of delay-related disputes.
Official Regulatory Text
The contracting officer may insert the clause at 52.236-15 , Schedules for Construction Contracts, in solicitations and contracts when a fixed-price construction contract is contemplated, the contract amount is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, and the period of actual work performance exceeds 60 days. This clause may also be inserted in such solicitations and contracts when work performance is expected to last less than 60 days and an unusual situation exists that warrants imposition of the requirements. This clause should not be used in the same contract with clauses covering other management approaches for ensuring that a contractor makes adequate progress.