FAR 52.252-4—Alterations in Contract.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 52.252-4, Alterations in Contract, is a short but important clause used when the government needs to revise or supplement other parts of a solicitation or contract after award, or to modify solicitation provisions that will apply after award. The section explains when the clause is prescribed, namely under FAR 52.107(d), and it makes clear that it is used to identify specific changes to the contract text rather than to create new substantive rights by itself. It also limits use of the clause by excluding clauses authorized for use with a deviation, which means agencies should not rely on this clause to bypass deviation procedures or to alter clauses in a way that conflicts with approved deviations. In practice, the clause serves as a clean drafting tool: it tells the reader exactly what language is being changed, added, or replaced, and it helps avoid ambiguity about which contract terms control. Because the clause requires clear identification of the alterations, it is especially important for contract administration, interpretation, and later disputes over which version of a term applies. For contractors and contracting officers, the main significance is ensuring that any post-award changes or solicitation supplements are explicit, traceable, and properly incorporated into the contract record.
Key Rules
Use to revise or supplement
The clause is used to revise or supplement other parts of the contract, or solicitation provisions that will apply after award. It is a drafting mechanism for making targeted changes to existing text.
Insert when prescribed
FAR 52.107(d) directs when the clause must be inserted in solicitations and contracts. The prescription controls its use, so it should be included only in the circumstances identified by the FAR.
Identify alterations clearly
The contract must clearly state what is being altered. Vague references are not enough; the changed language should be specific enough that the parties can tell exactly what text is affected.
Do not use for deviation clauses
The clause may not be used for any clause authorized for use with a deviation. If a deviation is involved, the agency must follow the deviation authority and procedures instead of relying on this clause.
Applies to post-award terms
The clause can be used for solicitation parts that apply after award as well as contract terms. That means it can help bridge pre-award language into the final contract where the provision remains relevant after award.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Ensure the clause is inserted only when prescribed, and make sure any alterations are stated clearly and accurately. The contracting officer must also avoid using the clause to alter provisions that require a deviation or other separate authority.
Agency
Use the clause consistently with FAR prescription and internal procedures, and maintain a clear contract file showing what was altered and why. The agency should ensure the final contract text is unambiguous and properly incorporated.
Contractor
Review the altered language carefully to understand which terms have been changed and how those changes affect performance, pricing, risk, and compliance. The contractor should seek clarification if the alteration is unclear or appears inconsistent with other contract terms.
Practical Implications
This clause is mainly a drafting and clarity tool, but it matters because unclear alterations can create disputes over which language controls.
Contractors should always compare the altered text against the original solicitation or contract to confirm exactly what changed.
A common pitfall is using the clause as a shortcut for changes that actually require a deviation, formal modification authority, or a different FAR clause.
Contracting officers should avoid generic statements like "see revised terms" and instead identify the specific portions being changed.
Good file documentation is important because later reviewers may need to reconstruct the exact contract language in effect at award.
Official Regulatory Text
As prescribed in 52.107 (d) , insert the following clause in solicitations and contracts in order to revise or supplement, as necessary, other parts of the contract, or parts of the solicitation that apply after contract award, except for any clause authorized for use with a deviation. Include clear identification of what is being altered. Alterations in Contract (Apr 1984) Portions of this contract are altered as follows: _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ (End of clause)