FAR and DFARS › DFARS Part 252: Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses › Subpart 252.2
DFARS 252.203-7001 Prohibition on Persons Convicted of Fraud or Other Defense-Contract-Related Felonies.
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 clause prohibits individuals convicted of fraud or other defense-contract-related felonies from working on a DoD contract in management, supervisory, board, consultant, or other influential roles. The prohibition lasts at least 5 years from conviction unless waived, and contractors can face criminal penalties and other remedies for violations. Contractors must also flow this clause down to certain first-tier subcontracts.
Applies to: DoD contractors and first-tier subcontractors
What it requires
- Do not allow an individual convicted of fraud or a defense-contract-related felony to serve in a management, supervisory, board, consultant, agent, representative, or other influential capacity on this contract.
- Include the substance of this clause in all first-tier subcontracts exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, except those for commercial products, commercial services, or commercial components.
- If requesting a waiver, submit a written request to the Contracting Officer identifying the person, the conviction and sentence, the reasons for the waiver, and why it is in the interest of national security.
Key terms: Arising out of a contract with the DoD · Conviction of fraud or any other felony · Date of conviction · Simplified acquisition threshold · First-tier subcontract
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
As prescribed in 203.570-3, use the following clause:
Prohibition on Persons Convicted of Fraud or Other Defense-Contract-Related Felonies (JAN 2023)
(a) Definitions. As used in this clause—
(1) Arising out of a contract with the DoD means any act in connection with—
(i) Attempting to obtain;
(ii) Obtaining; or
(iii) Performing a contract or first-tier subcontract of any agency, department, or component of the Department of Defense (DoD).
(2) Conviction of fraud or any other felony means any conviction for fraud or a felony in violation of state or Federal criminal statutes, whether entered on a verdict or plea, including a plea of nolo contendere, for which sentence has been imposed.
(3) Date of conviction means the date judgment was entered against the individual.
(b) Any individual who is convicted after September 29, 1988, of fraud or any other felony arising out of a contract with the DoD is prohibited from serving—
(1) In a management or supervisory capacity on this contract;
(2) On the board of directors of the Contractor;
(3) As a consultant, agent, or representative for the Contractor; or
(4) In any other capacity with the authority to influence, advise, or control the decisions of the Contractor with regard to this contract.
(c) Unless waived, the prohibition in paragraph (b) of this clause applies for not less than 5 years from the date of conviction.
(d) 10 U.S.C. 4656 provides that the Contractor shall be subject to a criminal penalty of not more than $500,000 if convicted of knowingly—
(1) Employing a person under a prohibition specified in paragraph (b) of this clause; or
(2) Allowing such a person to serve on the board of directors of the contractor or first-tier subcontractor.
(e) In addition to the criminal penalties contained in 10 U.S.C. 4656, the Government may consider other available remedies, such as—
(1) Suspension or debarment;
(2) Cancellation of the contract at no cost to the Government; or
(3) Termination of the contract for default.
(f) The Contractor may submit written requests for waiver of the prohibition in paragraph (b) of this clause to the Contracting Officer. Requests shall clearly identify—
(1) The person involved;
(2) The nature of the conviction and resultant sentence or punishment imposed;
(3) The reasons for the requested waiver; and
(4) An explanation of why a waiver is in the interest of national security.
(g) Subcontracts. The Contractor agrees to include the substance of this clause, appropriately modified to reflect the identity and relationship of the parties, in all first-tier subcontracts exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold in part 2 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, except those for commercial products, commercial services, or commercial components.
(h) Pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 4656(c), defense contractors and subcontractors may obtain information as to whether a particular person has been convicted of fraud or any other felony arising out of a contract with the DoD by contacting The Office of Justice Programs, The Denial of Federal Benefits Office, U.S. Department of Justice, telephone (301) 937-1542; www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/grant/DPFC.html.
(End of clause)
Sections it refers to
- 203.570-3 Contract clause.
← 252.203-7000 Requirements Relating to Compensation of Former DoD Officials. · 252.203-7002 Requirement to Inform Employees of Whistleblower Rights. →
Rule changes for DFARS Part 252
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Modifications to Printed Circuit Board Acquisition Restrictions (DFARS Case 2022-D011) ↗ · proposed 2026-07-02 · comments due 2026-08-31
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Certification Requirement for Military Recruitment Advertising (DFARS Case 2024-D022) ↗ · proposed 2026-06-25 · comments due 2026-08-24
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Small Purchase Exception for the Acquisition of U.S. Flags (DFARS Case 2024-D013) ↗ · proposed 2026-06-25 · comments due 2026-08-24
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Mitigating Risks Related to Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (DFARS Case 2021-D011) ↗ · proposed 2026-05-07 · comments due 2026-07-06
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Assessing Contractor Implementation of Cybersecurity Requirements (DFARS Case 2019-D041) ↗ · final rule 2025-09-10 · effective 2025-11-10
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Limitation on Certain Institutes of Higher Education (DFARS Case 2024-D023); Correction ↗ · final rule 2025-08-28 · effective 2025-08-28
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Disclosure of DoD Funding in Technical Publications (DFARS Case 2024-D003) ↗ · proposed 2025-08-25 · comments due 2025-10-24
- Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement: Limitation on Certain Institutes of Higher Education (DFARS Case 2024-D023) ↗ · final rule 2025-08-25 · effective 2025-08-25
Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.