FAR 52.236-16—Quantity Surveys.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 52.236-16, Quantity Surveys, addresses how quantities of work are measured and documented on fixed-price construction contracts that use unit pricing and payment based on quantity surveys. It covers when the clause may be inserted, who performs the original, interim, and final surveys, how the resulting data are used to compute quantities of work performed and construction completed and in place, and who performs the related computations. The clause also explains the Government’s role in conducting the original and final surveys under the basic clause, the contractor’s role in conducting surveys for progress payment periods, and the requirement that contractor surveys be performed under the direction of a contracting officer’s representative unless waived. It further requires the contractor to promptly provide original field notes and related records to the contracting officer and retain copies. The alternate clause shifts responsibility for the original and final surveys to the contractor when higher-level approval determines Government performance is impracticable, while leaving the Government responsible for the necessary computations for final quantities. In practice, this clause is important because quantity surveys directly affect progress payments, final payment, and disputes over measured quantities, so accurate surveying, documentation, and coordination are essential.
Key Rules
Applies to unit-priced construction
This clause is used in fixed-price construction contracts that provide for unit pricing of items and payment based on quantity surveys. It is not a general construction clause; it is tied to contracts where measured quantities drive payment.
Surveys determine payable quantities
Quantity surveys must be conducted and the resulting data used to compute the quantities of work performed and the actual construction completed and in place. The survey data are the basis for progress payment and final quantity determinations.
Government performs original and final surveys
Under the basic clause, the Government conducts the original and final surveys and makes the computations based on them. This places the baseline and closeout measurement responsibility on the Government unless the alternate clause is used.
Contractor performs progress surveys
The contractor conducts surveys for any periods for which progress payments are requested and makes the computations based on those surveys. These surveys support interim payment requests and must be accurate enough to justify the amount billed.
Contracting officer oversight required
All contractor-conducted surveys must be performed under the direction of a representative of the contracting officer unless the contracting officer waives that requirement in a specific instance. This ensures Government oversight of measurement methods and results.
Survey records must be delivered promptly
After completing a survey, the contractor must promptly furnish the contracting officer the originals of all field notes and other records relating to the survey or the layout of the work. The contractor must keep copies of everything provided.
Alternate shifts survey duty
If higher-level approval determines it is impracticable for Government personnel to perform the original and final surveys, Alternate I allows the contractor to perform those surveys. Even then, the surveys remain under contracting officer direction, and the Government still makes the computations needed to determine final quantities.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Ensure the clause is used only when appropriate for fixed-price construction with unit pricing and quantity-survey-based payment. Oversee contractor surveys through a representative, waive that oversight only in specific instances when justified, receive and use survey records to determine progress payments, and under the alternate clause rely on Government computations for final quantities.
Government
Conduct the original and final surveys under the basic clause and make the computations based on them. Under Alternate I, make the computations necessary to determine the quantities of work performed or finally in place even though the contractor performs the original and final surveys.
Contractor
Conduct surveys for progress payment periods and make the computations based on those surveys. Under Alternate I, also conduct the original and final surveys. In all cases, perform contractor surveys under contracting officer direction unless waived, furnish original field notes and related records promptly after each survey, and retain copies of all materials submitted.
Representative of the Contracting Officer
Direct contractor-performed surveys unless the contracting officer specifically waives that requirement. This role provides on-site oversight to help ensure survey methods, measurements, and records are acceptable for payment purposes.
Practical Implications
This clause can materially affect cash flow because progress payments depend on survey-backed quantities, so contractors need disciplined measurement and recordkeeping practices.
Disputes often arise when survey methods, assumptions, or field notes are incomplete or inconsistent, so both sides should document layout, measurements, and computations carefully.
Contractors should not treat survey records as informal working papers; the clause requires prompt delivery of originals to the Government and retention of copies for their own protection.
If Alternate I is used, contractors take on more surveying responsibility and risk, but the Government still controls the final quantity computation, so coordination on methods remains critical.
Contracting officers should confirm whether the contract structure truly calls for quantity surveys and whether higher-level approval is needed before shifting original/final survey duties to the contractor.
Official Regulatory Text
As prescribed in 36.516 , the contracting officer may insert the following clause in solicitations and contracts when a fixed-price construction contract providing for unit pricing of items and for payment based on quantity surveys is contemplated: Quantity Surveys (Apr 1984) (a) Quantity surveys shall be conducted, and the data derived from these surveys shall be used in computing the quantities of work performed and the actual construction completed and in place. (b) The Government shall conduct the original and final surveys and make the computations based on them. The Contractor shall conduct the surveys for any periods for which progress payments are requested and shall make the computations based on these surveys. All surveys conducted by the Contractor shall be conducted under the direction of a representative of the Contracting Officer, unless the Contracting Officer waives this requirement in a specific instance. (c) Promptly upon completing a survey, the Contractor shall furnish the originals of all field notes and all other records relating to the survey or to the layout of the work to the Contracting Officer, who shall use them as necessary to determine the amount of progress payments. The Contractor shall retain copies of all such material furnished to the Contracting Officer. (End of clause) Alternate I (Apr 1984) . If it is determined at a level above that of the Contracting Officer that it is impracticable for Government personnel to perform the original and final surveys, and the Government wishes the Contractor to perform these surveys, substitute the following paragraph (b) for paragraph (b) of the basic clause: (b) The Contractor shall conduct the original and final surveys and surveys for any periods for which progress payments are requested. All these surveys shall be conducted under the direction of a representative of the Contracting Officer, unless the Contracting Officer waives this requirement in a specific instance. The Government shall make such computations as are necessary to determine the quantities of work performed or finally in place. The Contractor shall make the computations based on the surveys for any periods for which progress payments are requested.