FAR 52.247-26—Government Direction and Marking.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 52.247-26, Government Direction and Marking, is a transportation clause used when office relocations are involved and the contract covers transportation or transportation-related services. It addresses two core operational topics: how property must be identified for delivery at the new location, and who is responsible for directing movers when items are placed in the destination building. In practice, the clause shifts key move-planning tasks to the relocating agency, requiring it to tag or mark property with the destination floor, room number, and placement location, and to provide enough personnel on site to guide the contractor’s crew. The purpose is to reduce confusion, prevent misdelivery or improper placement, and keep the move efficient and orderly. For contractors, the clause clarifies that they are not expected to guess where items belong or independently decide final placement without government direction. For contracting officers and agencies, it creates a simple but important operational obligation that must be planned for before move day to avoid delays, disputes, and damage claims.
Key Rules
Applies to office relocations
This clause is prescribed for solicitations and contracts for transportation or transportation-related services when office relocations are involved. It is not a general moving clause for all transportation work; it is specifically aimed at office moves where destination placement matters.
Agency must mark property
The agency being relocated must tag or mark property with the floor, room number, and the location where each item is to be placed in the new building. This marking requirement is intended to tell the contractor exactly where each item goes upon delivery.
Agency must provide direction personnel
The agency must provide sufficient personnel to direct the contractor’s personnel in placing property at the destination. The government, not the mover, is responsible for on-site placement instructions and coordination.
Contractor follows government instructions
The contractor’s role is to transport and place property according to the markings and directions provided by the agency. The clause assumes the contractor will rely on government guidance for final destination placement rather than making independent placement decisions.
Placement guidance must be workable
Because the agency must provide enough personnel to direct the move, the government must plan staffing so movers are not left waiting or forced to improvise. The practical effect is that the relocation plan must be detailed enough to support efficient unloading and placement.
Responsibilities
Agency being relocated
Tag or mark each item of property with the floor, room number, and specific location where it is to be placed in the new building. Provide sufficient personnel at the destination to direct the contractor’s personnel during unloading and placement.
Contractor
Transport the property and place it where directed by the agency’s markings and on-site personnel. Follow government instructions for destination placement and coordinate with agency representatives during the move.
Contracting Officer
Include the clause when required by the prescription in FAR 47.207-8(a)(3) and ensure the relocation arrangement clearly assigns marking and direction duties to the agency. Confirm that the contract structure supports the operational needs of the move.
Agency relocation staff
Prepare the move plan, label items accurately, and have enough people available on move day to guide placement and resolve questions about where items belong.
Practical Implications
This clause is mainly about avoiding confusion during an office move: if items are not clearly marked, movers may waste time, place property incorrectly, or create disputes over responsibility.
A common pitfall is underestimating staffing needs at the destination. If the agency does not provide enough people to direct placement, unloading can slow down significantly and the contractor may be left waiting.
Another frequent issue is incomplete or inconsistent labeling. Missing floor, room, or placement information can lead to misdelivery inside the building even when the shipment reaches the correct site.
Contractors should document unclear or missing government instructions promptly, because the clause places the placement decision on the agency and the contractor should not assume where items belong.
For contracting officers and agency move coordinators, the key day-to-day lesson is that successful execution depends on pre-move planning, accurate labeling, and having government personnel physically present when the shipment arrives.
Official Regulatory Text
As prescribed in 47.207-8 (a)(3) , insert the following clause in solicitations and contracts for transportation or for transportation-related services when office relocations are involved: Government Direction and Marking (Apr 1984) The agency being relocated shall tag or mark property, showing floor, room number, and location where property is to be placed in the new building. The agency shall provide sufficient personnel to direct the Contractor’s personnel in the placement of the property at destination. (End of clause)