FAR 52.236-19—Organization and Direction of the Work.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 52.236-19, Organization and Direction of the Work, is a construction-specific clause used only when a cost-reimbursement construction contract is contemplated. It addresses two main subjects: first, the contractor’s duty to provide and keep current an organization chart showing the general executive and administrative structure, the personnel assigned to the work, and their duties; and second, the requirement that the work be under full-time resident direction by the contractor’s own leadership, with limited flexibility if the contracting officer approves another specific representative. In practice, the clause gives the government visibility into who is managing the project and how the contractor is organized, which is especially important on cost-reimbursement jobs where oversight of staffing, accountability, and management control matters. It also helps ensure there is a clearly identified, on-site decision-maker with authority and continuity, reducing confusion about who is directing the work. For contractors, the clause creates an ongoing administrative obligation to keep organizational information current and to maintain an approved management structure that satisfies the resident-direction requirement. For contracting officers, it provides a tool to verify that the contractor has adequate supervision and that the project is being managed by appropriate personnel.
Key Rules
Applies to cost-reimbursement construction
This clause is prescribed for solicitations and contracts when a cost-reimbursement construction contract is contemplated. It is not a general-purpose clause for all construction contracts; its use is tied to the cost-reimbursement contracting environment.
Initial organization chart required
When the contract is executed, the contractor must submit a chart showing the general executive and administrative organization, the personnel to be employed on the contract, and their respective duties. The submission gives the contracting officer a baseline view of the contractor’s management structure for the project.
Keep information current
The contractor must keep the submitted data current by supplementing it as additional information becomes available. This is an ongoing duty, not a one-time submission, so changes in staffing or organization must be updated.
Full-time resident direction required
Work performance must be under the full-time resident direction of the contractor or specified senior leadership, depending on the contractor’s legal form. The clause requires an on-site or resident management presence that is continuously responsible for directing the work.
Who may direct the work
If the contractor is an individual, the contractor must direct the work; if a partnership, one or more principal partners must do so; if a corporation, association, or similar entity, one or more senior officers must do so. The clause ties authority to the contractor’s highest responsible leadership unless the contracting officer approves otherwise.
Alternative representative needs approval
With contracting officer approval, the contractor may be represented in directing the work by a specific person or persons holding positions other than those listed in the clause. This is an exception, not the default, and it requires affirmative approval from the government.
Responsibilities
Contractor
Submit an organization chart at contract execution showing the general executive and administrative organization, the personnel assigned to the contract, and their duties. Keep that information current by providing supplements as changes occur or additional information becomes available. Ensure the work is under full-time resident direction by the appropriate individual(s) identified in the clause, unless the contracting officer approves a different representative.
Contracting Officer
Require the clause when a cost-reimbursement construction contract is contemplated and review the contractor’s organization chart and updates. Determine whether to approve a specific alternate person or persons to represent the contractor in directing the work, and use the submitted information to monitor management structure and accountability.
Agency/Government
Use the clause to support oversight of contractor organization and on-site management for cost-reimbursement construction work. Rely on the current organization information to understand who is responsible for administration and day-to-day direction of the project.
Practical Implications
Contractors should be ready to provide an organization chart immediately at award or execution, not weeks later. Delays or incomplete charts can create compliance issues and slow project startup.
The clause is about management visibility and on-site control, so the government will care who is actually directing the work, not just who is listed on paper. If the named leader changes, the contractor should update the chart promptly and confirm whether approval is needed.
For corporations and similar entities, the default expectation is direction by senior officers, but the contracting officer can approve another specific person. Contractors should not assume a project manager or superintendent can fill that role without approval.
Because the clause applies to cost-reimbursement construction, staffing and supervision are especially important to the government’s oversight of reimbursable costs. Weak organization or unclear authority can raise questions about control, efficiency, and accountability.
A common pitfall is treating the organization chart as a one-time administrative form. The clause requires ongoing updates, so changes in key personnel, reporting lines, or duties should be tracked and communicated.
Official Regulatory Text
As prescribed in 36.519 , insert the following clause in solicitations and contracts when a cost-reimbursement construction contract is contemplated: Organization and Direction of the Work (Apr 1984) (a) When this contract is executed, the Contractor shall submit to the Contracting Officer a chart showing the general executive and administrative organization, the personnel to be employed in connection with the work under this contract, and their respective duties. The Contractor shall keep the data furnished current by supplementing it as additional information becomes available. (b) Work performance under this contract shall be under the full-time resident direction of (1) the Contractor, if the Contractor is an individual; (2) one or more principal partners, if the Contractor is a partnership; or (3) one or more senior officers, if Contractor is a corporation, association, or similar legal entity. However, if the Contracting Officer approves, the Contractor may be represented in the direction of the work by a specific person or persons holding positions other than those identified in this paragraph. (End of clause)