FAR and DFARS › DFARS Part 252: Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses › Subpart 252.2
DFARS 252.217-7027 Contract Definitization.
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 governs how an undefinitized contract action (UCA) is converted into a definitive contract. It requires the contractor to negotiate promptly, submit a qualifying proposal with certified cost or pricing data, and follow a definitization schedule. If agreement is not reached by the target date, the contracting officer may set a price or fee unilaterally, and the contractor must keep performing.
Applies to: Contractors operating under an undefinitized contract action (UCA) that will be definitized.
What it requires
- Begin promptly negotiating the terms of a definitive contract with the Contracting Officer.
- Submit a proposal and certified cost or pricing data supporting it.
- Meet the qualifying proposal date in the contract definitization schedule.
- Proceed with completion of the contract even if no definitive agreement is reached by the target date.
Key terms: undefinitized contract action · definitive contract · certified cost or pricing data · qualifying proposal · Limitation of Government Liability clause
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
As prescribed in 217.7406(b), use the following clause:
Contract Definitization (MAY 2023)
(a) A___ [insert specific type of contract action] is contemplated. The Contractor agrees to begin promptly negotiating with the Contracting Officer the terms of a definitive contract that will include—
(1) All clauses required by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) on the date of execution of the undefinitized contract action;
(2) All clauses required by law on the date of execution of the definitive contract action; and
(3) Any other mutually agreeable clauses, terms, and conditions.
(b) The Contractor agrees to submit a___ [insert type of proposal; e.g., fixed-price or cost-and-fee] proposal and certified cost or pricing data supporting its proposal. Notwithstanding FAR 52.216-26, Payments of Allowable Costs Before Definitization, failure to meet the qualifying proposal date in the contract definitization schedule could result in the Contracting Officer withholding an amount up to 5 percent of all subsequent requests for financing until the Contracting Officer determines that a proposal is qualifying.
(c) The schedule for definitizing this contract action is as follows [insert target date for definitization of the contract action and dates for submission of proposal, beginning of negotiations, and, if appropriate, submission of the make-or-buy and subcontracting plans and certified cost or pricing data]:
(d) If agreement on a definitive contract action to supersede this undefinitized contract action is not reached by the target date in paragraph (c) of this clause, or within any extension of it granted by the Contracting Officer, the Contracting Officer may, with the approval of the head of the contracting activity, determine a reasonable price or fee in accordance with FAR subpart 15.4 and part 31, subject to Contractor appeal as provided in the Disputes clause. In any event, the Contractor shall proceed with completion of the contract, subject only to the Limitation of Government Liability clause.
(1) After the Contracting Officer's determination of price or fee, the contract shall be governed by—
(i) All clauses required by the FAR on the date of execution of this undefinitized contract action for either fixed-price or cost-reimbursement contracts, as determined by the Contracting Officer under this paragraph (d);
(ii) All clauses required by law as of the date of the Contracting Officer's determination; and
(iii) Any other clauses, terms, and conditions mutually agreed upon.
(2) To the extent consistent with paragraph (d)(1) of this clause, all clauses, terms, and conditions included in this undefinitized contract action shall continue in effect, except those that by their nature apply only to an undefinitized contract action.
(e) The definitive contract resulting from this undefinitized contract action will include a negotiated___ [insert “cost/price ceiling” or “firm-fixed price”] in no event to exceed__[insert the not-to-exceed amount].
(End of clause)
Sections it refers to
← 252.217-7026 Identification of Sources of Supply. · 252.217-7028 Over and above work. →
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.