FAR 47.207-8—Government responsibilities.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 47.207-8 tells contracting officers how to spell out the Government’s own duties when those duties directly affect contractor performance in transportation-related contracts. It covers three specific situations: advance notification of service times or unusual shipments, Government-furnished equipment with or without operators, and Government direction and marking for office relocations. It also requires use of the clause at 52.247-27, Contract Not Affected by Oral Agreement, to protect the written contract from informal side agreements. The purpose is to avoid confusion about who is responsible for what, reduce performance disputes, and make sure the contractor has the information and Government support needed to perform safely and on schedule. In practice, this section forces the contracting officer to identify and document Government obligations that could otherwise be overlooked, especially where timing, equipment availability, or move coordination can materially affect performance.
Key Rules
State Government duties clearly
The contracting officer must clearly identify any Government responsibility that has a direct bearing on contractor performance. This includes, for example, advance notice of hazardous materials in a shipment or other Government actions the contractor must rely on to perform.
Use advance-notification clause
Insert 52.247-24, Advance Notification by the Government, when the Government must notify the contractor in advance of specific service times or unusual shipments. This clause formalizes the notice requirement so the contractor can plan resources and comply safely.
Use GFE clause when equipment is furnished
Insert 52.247-25, Government-Furnished Equipment With or Without Operators, when the Government provides equipment, whether or not operators are included. The contracting officer must also identify the kind of equipment and the locations where it will be furnished.
Use direction-and-marking clause for relocations
Insert 52.247-26, Government Direction and Marking, when office relocations are involved. This clause addresses Government direction and marking responsibilities that affect how the move is organized and executed.
Protect against oral side agreements
Insert 52.247-27, Contract Not Affected by Oral Agreement. This clause reinforces that the written contract controls and helps prevent disputes based on informal oral understandings.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Identify and state all Government responsibilities that directly affect contractor performance; insert the required clauses; specify the kind and location of any Government-furnished equipment; and ensure the contract documents reflect the Government’s notice, direction, and marking obligations.
Government
Provide the advance notices, equipment, direction, marking, or other support described in the contract so the contractor can perform as planned. The Government must also avoid relying on informal oral understandings that are not part of the written contract.
Contractor
Review the contract for Government responsibilities that affect performance, rely on the written clauses and stated Government duties, and plan work based on the required notices, equipment availability, and relocation direction provided under the contract.
Practical Implications
This section is mainly about preventing avoidable performance problems by making Government support obligations explicit before work starts.
A common pitfall is failing to insert the correct clause when the Government is providing equipment, advance notice, or relocation direction; that can leave the contract incomplete or create disputes later.
Contracting officers should be especially careful to describe the exact equipment and locations when Government-furnished equipment is involved, because vague descriptions can cause delivery and scheduling problems.
The oral-agreement clause is important because transportation and relocation work often involves operational coordination; without the clause, parties may later argue over informal instructions or promises.
For contractors, the key takeaway is to look for these Government responsibilities early, because they can affect staffing, sequencing, safety planning, and cost assumptions.
Official Regulatory Text
(a) The contracting officer shall state clearly the Government’s responsibilities that have a direct bearing on the contractor’s performance under the contract; e.g., the Government’s responsibility to notify the contractor in advance when hazardous materials are included in a shipment. (1) Advance notification. The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.247-24 , Advance Notification by the Government, when the Government is responsible for notifying the contractor of specific service times or unusual shipments. (2) Government equipment with or without operators. (i) The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.247-25 , Government-Furnished Equipment With or Without Operators, when the Government furnishes equipment with or without operators. (ii) Insert the kind of equipment and the locations where the equipment will be furnished. (3) Direction and marking. The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.247-26 , Government Direction and Marking, when office relocations are involved. (b) The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.247-27 , Contract Not Affected by Oral Agreement.