FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 16: Types of Contracts › Subpart 16.5

FAR 16.506 Solicitation provisions and contract clauses.

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 tells contracting officers which solicitation provisions and contract clauses to include for different types of quantity-based contracts, such as definite-quantity, requirements, and indefinite-quantity contracts. It matters to contractors because the clauses that will govern ordering, order limitations, and other key terms depend on the contract type and specific circumstances described in the section.

Applies to: Solicitations and contracts for definite-quantity, requirements, or indefinite-quantity contracts

What it requires

  • Insert the clause at 52.216-18, Ordering, when a definite-quantity, requirements, or indefinite-quantity contract is contemplated.
  • Insert a clause substantially the same as 52.216-19, Order Limitations, when a definite-quantity, requirements, or indefinite-quantity contract is contemplated.
  • Insert the clause at 52.216-20, Definite Quantity, when a definite-quantity contract is contemplated.
  • Insert the clause at 52.216-21, Requirements, when a requirements contract is contemplated.

Key terms: definite-quantity contract · requirements contract · indefinite-quantity contract · Ordering · Order Limitations

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

The text

(a) Insert the clause at 52.216-18, Ordering, in solicitations and contracts when a definite-quantity contract, a requirements contract, or an indefinite-quantity contract is contemplated.

(b) Insert a clause substantially the same as the clause at 52.216-19, Order Limitations, in solicitations and contracts when a definite-quantity contract, a requirements contract, or an indefinite-quantity contract is contemplated.

(c) Insert the clause at 52.216-20, Definite Quantity, in solicitations and contracts when a definite-quantity contract is contemplated.

(d)(1) Insert the clause at 52.216-21, Requirements, in solicitations and contracts when a requirements contract is contemplated.

(2) If the contract is for nonpersonal services and related supplies and covers estimated requirements that exceed a specific Government activity's internal capability to produce or perform, use the clause with its Alternate I.

(3) If the contract includes subsistence for both Government use and resale in the same Schedule, and similar products may be acquired on a brand-name basis, use the clause with its Alternate II (but see paragraph (d)(5) of this section).

(4) If the contract involves a partial small business set-aside, use the clause with its Alternate III (but see subparagraph (5) below).

(5) If the contract—

(i) Includes subsistence for Government use and resale in the same schedule and similar products may be acquired on a brand-name basis; and

(ii) Involves a partial small business set-aside, use the clause with its Alternate IV.

(e) Insert the clause at 52.216-22, Indefinite Quantity, in solicitations and contracts when an indefinite-quantity contract is contemplated.

(f) Insert the provision at 52.216-27, Single or Multiple Awards, in solicitations for indefinite-quantity contracts that may result in multiple contract awards. Modify the provision to specify the estimated number of awards. Do not use this provision for advisory and assistance services contracts that exceed 3 years and $20 million (including all options).

(g) Insert the provision at 52.216-28, Multiple Awards for Advisory and Assistance Services, in solicitations for task-order contracts for advisory and assistance services that exceed 3 years and $20 million (including all options), unless a determination has been made under 16.504(c)(2)(i)(A). Modify the provision to specify the estimated number of awards.

(h) See 10.001(d) for insertion of the clause at 52.210-1, Market Research, when the contract is over $7.5 million for the procurement of items other than commercial products or commercial services.

(i) See 7.107-6 for use of 52.207-6, Solicitation of Offers from Small Business Concerns and Small Business Teaming Arrangement or Joint Ventures (Multiple-Award Contracts) in solicitations for multiple-award contracts above the substantial bundling threshold of the agency.

(j) Insert the clause at 52.216-32, Task-Order and Delivery-Order Ombudsman, in solicitations and contracts when a multiple-award indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity contract is contemplated. Use the clause with its Alternate I when the contract will be available for use by multiple agencies (e.g., Governmentwide acquisition contracts or multi-agency contracts). When placing orders under the multiple-award contract available for use by multiple agencies, the ordering activity's contracting officer shall complete paragraph (d)(2) and include Alternate I in the notice of intent to place an order, and in the resulting order.

Sections it refers to

Sections that refer to it

  • 12.301 Solicitation provisions and contract clauses for the acquisition of commercial products and commercial services.
  • 52.216-18 Ordering.
  • 52.216-19 Order Limitations.
  • 52.216-20 Definite Quantity.
  • 52.216-21 Requirements.
  • 52.216-22 Indefinite Quantity.
  • 52.216-27 Single or Multiple Awards.
  • 52.216-28 Multiple Awards for Advisory and Assistance Services.
  • 52.216-32 Task-Order and Delivery-Order Ombudsman.

← 16.505 Ordering. · 16.600 Scope. →

Rule changes for FAR Part 16

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

FAR 16.506 Solicitation provisions and contract clauses · SpendQuery