SpendQueryBeta

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

FAR 13.302-4 Termination or cancellation of 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 contracting officer must handle ending a purchase order. If the contractor already accepted the order in writing, it is a termination and must follow specific rules depending on whether the order is for commercial or non-commercial items. If the contractor has not accepted it in writing, it is a cancellation, and the officer must notify the contractor and request written acceptance of the cancellation.

Applies to: Government contracting officers and contractors with purchase orders

What it requires

  • Process termination of an accepted purchase order under the applicable rules for commercial or non-commercial items.
  • Notify the contractor in writing that an unaccepted purchase order has been canceled and request written acceptance of the cancellation.
  • If the contractor does not accept the cancellation or claims costs, process the action as a termination.

Key terms: purchase order · termination · cancellation · commercial products · commercial services

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

The text

(a) If a purchase order that has been accepted in writing by the contractor is to be terminated, the contracting officer shall process the termination in accordance with—

(1) 12.403 and 52.212-4(l) or (m) for commercial products and commercial services; or

(2) Part 49 or 52.213-4 for other than commercial products and commercial services.

(b) If a purchase order that has not been accepted in writing by the contractor is to be canceled, the contracting officer shall notify the contractor in writing that the purchase order has been canceled, request the contractor's written acceptance of the cancellation, and proceed as follows:

(1) If the contractor accepts the cancellation and does not claim that costs were incurred as a result of beginning performance under the purchase order, no further action is required (i.e., the purchase order shall be considered canceled).

(2) If the contractor does not accept the cancellation or claims that costs were incurred as a result of beginning performance under the purchase order, the contracting officer shall process the action as a termination prescribed in paragraph (a) of this subsection.

Sections it refers to

  • 12.403 Termination.
  • 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions—Commercial Products and Commercial Services.
  • 52.213-4 Terms and Conditions—Simplified Acquisitions (Other Than Commercial Products and Commercial Services).

Sections that refer to it

← 13.302-3 Obtaining contractor acceptance and modifying purchase orders. · 13.302-5 Clauses. →

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 13.302-4 Termination or cancellation of purchase orders · SpendQuery