FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 16: Types of Contracts › Subpart 16.2
FAR 16.202-2 Application.
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
FAR 16.202-2 explains when a firm-fixed-price contract is suitable. It applies to commercial products or services, or other supplies or services with reasonably definite specifications, when the contracting officer can establish fair and reasonable prices upfront. This matters because it tells contractors the conditions under which they might see or accept a firm-fixed-price contract.
Applies to: Contracting officers and contractors considering firm-fixed-price contracts
Key terms: firm-fixed-price contract · commercial products · commercial services · certified cost or pricing data · performance uncertainties
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
A firm-fixed-price contract is suitable for acquiring commercial products or commercial services (see parts 2 and 12) or for acquiring other supplies or services on the basis of reasonably definite functional or detailed specifications (see part 11) when the contracting officer can establish fair and reasonable prices at the outset, such as when—
(a) There is adequate price competition;
(b) There are reasonable price comparisons with prior purchases of the same or similar supplies or services made on a competitive basis or supported by valid certified cost or pricing data;
(c) Available cost or pricing information permits realistic estimates of the probable costs of performance; or
(d) Performance uncertainties can be identified and reasonable estimates of their cost impact can be made, and the contractor is willing to accept a firm fixed price representing assumption of the risks involved.
Sections that refer to it
- 16.205-3 Limitations.
← 16.202-1 Description. · 16.203 Fixed-price contracts with economic price adjustment. →
Rule changes for FAR Part 16
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul Parts 16, 17, and 35 ↗ · proposed 2026-09-18 · comments due 2026-10-19
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Inflation Adjustment of Acquisition-Related Thresholds ↗ · final rule 2025-08-27 · effective 2025-10-01
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Protests of Orders Under Certain Multiple-Award Contracts ↗ · proposed 2025-06-12
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Small Business Participation on Certain Multiple-Award Contracts ↗ · proposed 2025-06-12
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Protests of Orders Under Certain Multiple-Award Contracts ↗ · proposed 2025-01-15 · comments due 2025-03-17
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Small Business Participation on Certain Multiple-Award Contracts ↗ · proposed 2025-01-15 · comments due 2025-03-17
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Preventing Organizational Conflicts of Interest in Federal Acquisition ↗ · proposed 2025-01-15 · comments due 2025-03-17
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Rerepresentation of Size and Socioeconomic Status ↗ · final rule 2025-01-03 · effective 2025-01-17
Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.