FAR 52—Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses

Scope of part.

FAR 52.000 is the scope statement for FAR part 52, which is the part of the FAR that contains solicitation provisions and contract clauses. It explains that the part does three things: first, it gives instructions for using provisions and clauses in solicitations and contracts; second, it sets out the actual solicitation provisions and contract clauses prescribed elsewhere in the FAR; and third, it provides a matrix showing which FAR provisions and clauses apply to different principal contract types and purposes, such as fixed-price supply contracts or cost-reimbursement research and development contracts. In practical terms, this section tells contracting officers and contractors where to find the mandatory and optional contract language that governs a procurement, and how to match that language to the type of acquisition being conducted. It matters because the correct use of FAR part 52 clauses affects competition, offer evaluation, contract administration, risk allocation, and enforceability. Although this section does not itself impose detailed clause-by-clause requirements, it frames how the rest of part 52 is used and signals that clause selection must be tied to the contract type and acquisition purpose.

Subpart 52.1

Subpart 52.2

Subpart 52.3