FAR 52.211-13—Time Extensions.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 52.211-13, Time Extensions, is a construction clause that explains how the Government should handle schedule relief when a contract change affects completion time. It addresses three main topics: how to determine whether a change causes delay, how a change order may extend only the completion dates for the specific elements of work affected by the change while leaving other milestone dates unchanged, and how liquidated damages may be equitably adjusted when the completion schedule changes. In practice, the clause gives the contracting officer flexibility to tailor time extensions to the actual impact of changed work rather than automatically extending the entire project. It is intended to keep construction schedules disciplined, preserve accountability for unaffected work, and avoid unfairly charging liquidated damages when Government-directed changes alter the completion timeline. For contractors, it means schedule impacts from changes must be analyzed element by element, and requests for time extensions should be tied to demonstrated delay caused by the change. For contracting officers, it provides a basis to issue precise change orders that reflect the real schedule effect of the modification and, when appropriate, revise liquidated damages accordingly.
Key Rules
Time depends on actual delay
Any extension for a contract change must be based on the extent to which the change delays completion of the affected construction elements. There is no automatic entitlement to extra time; the delay must be tied to the changed work.
Partial extensions are allowed
A change order may extend the completion date only for the specific elements of work affected by the change. The remaining completion dates for other portions of the project may stay the same if they are not impacted.
Unchanged work stays on schedule
The clause permits the Government to preserve original dates for unaffected portions of the work. This prevents a change in one area from unnecessarily relaxing the schedule for the entire contract.
Liquidated damages may be adjusted
The change order may also provide an equitable readjustment of liquidated damages under the revised completion schedule. If the completion dates change, the damages framework should be aligned with the new schedule so it remains fair and enforceable.
Change order should state schedule effect
The time extension decision is made through the change order, which should clearly identify whether the extension applies to all work or only certain elements. Clear drafting is important to avoid later disputes over completion dates and damages.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Evaluate whether a contract change actually delays completion, determine the appropriate time extension, decide whether the extension applies only to specific elements or to the overall contract, and adjust liquidated damages if the revised schedule makes that necessary.
Contractor
Document how the change affects the construction schedule, identify which work elements are delayed, and support any request for additional time with facts showing the extent of delay caused by the changed work.
Agency/Project Team
Provide schedule and technical input needed to assess the impact of the change, help identify affected and unaffected work elements, and support accurate drafting of the change order and any revised completion milestones.
Practical Implications
This clause is important in construction contracts because schedule impacts are often localized, and the Government may want to extend only the affected portion of the work instead of the entire project.
Contractors should not assume that every change order automatically extends the final completion date; they need to show actual delay and connect it to specific work elements.
Contracting officers should draft change orders carefully so the extension language matches the real schedule impact and does not create ambiguity about which dates changed.
If liquidated damages are tied to a revised completion schedule, the change order should address them explicitly to avoid disputes over whether damages should be reduced, suspended, or recalculated.
A common pitfall is failing to distinguish between delay to a specific phase and delay to the overall project, which can lead to overextension of time or improper assessment of liquidated damages.
Official Regulatory Text
As prescribed in 11.503 (c) , insert the following clause: Time Extensions (Sept 2000) Time extensions for contract changes will depend upon the extent, if any, by which the changes cause delay in the completion of the various elements of construction. The change order granting the time extension may provide that the contract completion date will be extended only for those specific elements related to the changed work and that the remaining contract completion dates for all other portions of the work will not be altered. The change order also may provide an equitable readjustment of liquidated damages under the new completion schedule. (End of clause)