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FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 13: Simplified Acquisition Procedures › Subpart 13.3

FAR 13.302-3 Obtaining contractor acceptance and modifying purchase orders.

The codified text (eCFR, as of 2026-10-02). Under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul ↗, agencies follow class deviations with new text for many parts while the formal rules go through the Federal Register: check the solicitation and your contract's clauses, which rule.

In plain English

This section explains how a purchase order becomes a binding contract and how changes to it are handled. If the government wants a binding deal before you start work, the contracting officer must get your written acceptance. Modifications to a purchase order must identify the order and carry a modification number, and your written acceptance of a modification can only be demanded in limited situations.

Applies to: Contractors and contracting officers using purchase orders under FAR Part 13

What it requires

  • Provide written acceptance of the purchase order when the contracting officer requires it to create a binding contract before performance begins
  • Ensure each purchase order modification identifies the order it modifies and contains an appropriate modification number

Key terms: purchase order · written acceptance · binding contract · purchase order modification · modification number

Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.

The text

(a) When it is desired to consummate a binding contract between the parties before the contractor undertakes performance, the contracting officer shall require written (see 2.101) acceptance of the purchase order by the contractor.

(b) Each purchase order modification shall identify the order it modifies and shall contain an appropriate modification number.

(c) A contractor's written acceptance of a purchase order modification may be required only if—

(1) Determined by the contracting officer to be necessary to ensure the contractor's compliance with the purchase order as revised; or

(2) Required by agency regulations.

Sections it refers to

Sections that refer to it

← 13.302-2 Unpriced purchase orders. · 13.302-4 Termination or cancellation of purchase orders. →

Rule changes for FAR Part 13

Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.

FAR 13.302-3 Obtaining contractor acceptance and modifying purchase orders · SpendQuery