FAR 4.1303—Contract clause.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 4.1303 tells contracting officers when to include the Personal Identity Verification (PIV) clause at 52.204-9 in solicitations and contracts. It covers two trigger conditions: routine physical access to a Federally-controlled facility and routine access to a Federally-controlled information system. The section also draws an important line by stating that the clause must not be used when contractor personnel need only intermittent access to Federally-controlled facilities. In practice, this rule helps agencies ensure contractor personnel are properly identified and credentialed before they enter sensitive federal spaces or systems, while avoiding unnecessary PIV requirements for occasional visitors or short-term access. It matters because the clause affects solicitation terms, contractor onboarding, badge processing, and access control planning, and it can delay performance if not identified early.
Key Rules
Insert PIV clause
The contracting officer must include FAR 52.204-9, Personal Identity Verification of Contractor Personnel, in solicitations and contracts when the performance requirements meet the access triggers in this section.
Routine facility access
Use the clause when contractor personnel will need routine physical access to a Federally-controlled facility. The focus is on recurring, expected access as part of performance, not one-time or occasional entry.
Routine system access
Use the clause when contractor personnel will need routine access to a Federally-controlled information system. This applies when access to federal IT resources is a normal part of contract performance.
No clause for intermittent access
Do not use the clause when contractors need only intermittent access to Federally-controlled facilities. The rule specifically excludes occasional access from the PIV clause requirement.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Determine whether contract performance requires routine physical access to a Federally-controlled facility and/or routine access to a Federally-controlled information system, and insert FAR 52.204-9 when required. The contracting officer must also avoid using the clause when access is only intermittent.
Agency/Program Office
Identify early whether contractor performance will involve recurring facility or system access so the acquisition team can plan for PIV processing, badge issuance, and access approvals before performance begins.
Contractor
Ensure contractor personnel comply with the PIV requirements in the contract, including providing personnel who can obtain the necessary identification credentials and coordinating access-related onboarding with the agency.
Practical Implications
This clause should be evaluated during acquisition planning, not after award, because PIV processing can take time and may affect start dates.
A common mistake is treating any access as routine; the rule turns on recurring access, while intermittent facility access is excluded.
Contractors should expect identity verification, credentialing, and possibly background-related administrative steps before personnel can enter facilities or use systems.
If the clause is omitted when required, the agency may face delays or need a contract modification to add access requirements later.
If the clause is added unnecessarily, it can create avoidable administrative burden for short-term visitors or occasional support personnel.
Official Regulatory Text
The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.204-9 , Personal Identity Verification of Contractor Personnel, in solicitations and contracts when contract performance requires contractors to have routine physical access to a Federally-controlled facility and/or routine access to a Federally-controlled information system. The clause shall not be used when contractors require only intermittent access to Federally-controlled facilities.