FAR 52.247-13—Accessorial Services-Moving Contracts.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 52.247-13, Accessorial Services-Moving Contracts, sets the contractor’s responsibilities for the extra moving services that commonly accompany household goods or office furniture transportation. It covers three main service areas: packing, crating, and padding; disassembling and reassembling property and servicing appliances; and unpacking, uncrating, placement, and removal of packing debris. The clause is used in solicitations and contracts for moving services to make clear that these accessorial tasks are included in the contractor’s performance obligations, not optional add-ons, unless the contract says otherwise. In practice, it protects the government and the property owner by ensuring the mover provides the materials, labor, and care needed to prevent damage during transit and to restore items at destination. It also gives the owner or authorized representative control over where items are placed and whether packing materials are removed. For contractors, the clause is important because it allocates risk, labor, and material costs up front and requires readiness to handle common moving-related tasks without delay or dispute.
Key Rules
Packing and protection required
The contractor must perform all packing, crating, and padding needed to protect the goods being transported. This includes supplying the containers, crating materials, padding materials, and related equipment necessary for safe movement.
Clean, suitable materials only
All containers and packing materials must be clean and of sufficient quality to protect the property. The contractor cannot use damaged, dirty, or inadequate materials that could compromise the goods.
Protect building interiors
When necessary, the contractor must furnish or arrange protective padding or other materials for building interiors, including elevators, at both the origin and destination. This requirement helps prevent damage to the premises during the move.
Disassemble before shipment
The contractor must disassemble property that needs it for shipment, such as beds and sectional bookcases, and prepare appliances such as washers, dryers, and record players for transport. These tasks are part of the moving service and are not left to the owner unless the contract states otherwise.
Reassemble and service at delivery
Upon delivery, the contractor must reassemble the property and service the appliances at the new location. The obligation continues through delivery and setup, not just transport.
Unpack and place items
The contractor must unpack or uncrate all property that was packed or crated under the contract and place it in the new location as directed by the owner or authorized representative. The contractor must also remove packing and similar materials from the premises when requested.
Responsibilities
Contractor
Provide all labor, materials, and equipment needed for packing, crating, padding, disassembly, appliance preparation, reassembly, unpacking, uncrating, placement, and requested removal of packing debris. Ensure materials are clean, adequate, and protective, and protect building interiors when necessary.
Owner of the property / Authorized representative
Direct where property is to be placed at the new location and request removal of packing and related materials if desired. The owner or representative controls placement instructions at destination.
Contracting Officer / Agency
Include the clause in applicable solicitations and contracts for household goods or office furniture moves, and ensure the contract clearly reflects that these accessorial services are required as part of performance.
Practical Implications
This clause makes many common moving tasks part of the contractor’s base obligation, so contractors should price labor, materials, and time accordingly.
A frequent pitfall is assuming packing supplies or appliance servicing are separate extras; under this clause, they are included unless the contract specifically limits them.
Contractors should plan for protection of elevators, walls, floors, and other building features to avoid damage claims and disputes at origin or destination.
The owner’s placement instructions matter at delivery, so movers should coordinate closely to avoid delays or arguments about where items belong.
Because the clause requires cleanup of packing materials when requested, contractors should be prepared for debris removal and should not leave the site without confirming the owner’s preference.
Official Regulatory Text
As prescribed in 47.207-5 (c) , insert a clause substantially as follows in solicitations and contracts for the transportation of household goods or office furniture: Accessorial Services-Moving Contracts (Apr 1984) (a) Packing and/or crating and padding. The Contractor shall- (1) Perform all of the packing and/or crating and padding necessary for the protection of the goods to be trans-ported; (2) Furnish packing containers, including, but not limited to, barrels, boxes, wardrobes, and cartons; all crating materials; and all padding materials and equipment; (3) Furnish or cause to be furnished, when necessary, padding or other protective material for the interior of the buildings, including elevators, from and to which the property will be moved under this contract; and (4) Ensure that all containers and materials are clean and of quality sufficient for protection of the goods. (b) Disassembling and reassembling of property and servicing appliances. The disassembling of property; e.g., beds and sectional bookcases, and the preparing of appliances; e.g., washers, driers, and record players, for shipment shall be performed by the Contractor. The Contractor shall reassemble the property and service the appliances upon delivery at the new location. (c) Unpacking and/or uncrating and placement of property. The Contractor shall unpack and/or uncrate all property that was packed and/or crated for movement under this contract. The Contractor shall also place the property in the new location as instructed by the owner of the property or authorized representative, and shall remove all packing and similar or related material from the premises as requested by the- owner. (End of clause)