FAR and DFARS › DFARS Part 252: Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses › Subpart 252.2
DFARS 252.247-7027 Riding Gang Member Requirements.
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 requires contractors to ensure that each riding gang member holds a valid U.S. Merchant Mariner's Document or a transportation security card. It also lists exemptions for certain individuals, such as supercargo personnel or specialized repair technicians, who must pass a DoD background check before boarding. The clause matters because it sets specific credential and screening obligations for contractors operating vessels.
Applies to: Contractors with riding gang members on vessels
What it requires
- Ensure each riding gang member holds a valid U.S. Merchant Mariner's Document or transportation security card.
- For exempt individuals, render all necessary assistance for identification and screening, including submitting name and biographical information.
- Deny access or immediately remove any individual deemed unsuitable by the Government agency conducting background checks.
- Promptly replace any removed individual and require replacements to comply with all screening requirements.
Key terms: Riding gang member · U.S. Merchant Mariner's Document · Transportation security card · DoD background check · Supercargo personnel
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
As prescribed in 247.574(d), use the following clause:
Riding Gang Member Requirements (MAY 2018)
(a) Definition. Riding gang member, as used in this clause, has the same definition as “riding gang member” in title 46 U.S.C. 2101.
(b) Requirements relating to riding gang members. Notwithstanding 46 U.S.C. 8106, the Contractor shall ensure each riding gang member holds a valid U.S. Merchant Mariner's Document issued under 46 U.S.C. chapter 73, or a transportation security card issued under section 70105 of such title.
(c) Exemption. (1) An individual is exempt from the requirements of paragraph (b) of this clause and shall not be treated as a riding gang member for the purposes of section 8106 of title 46, if that individual is on a vessel for purposes other than engaging in the operation or maintenance of the vessel and is—
(i) One of the personnel who accompanies, supervises, guards, or maintains unit equipment aboard a ship, commonly referred to as supercargo personnel;
(ii) One of the force protection personnel of the vessel;
(iii) A specialized repair technician; or
(iv) An individual who is otherwise required by the Secretary of Defense or designee to be aboard the vessel.
(2) Any individual who is exempt under paragraph (c)(1) of this clause must pass a DoD background check before going aboard the vessel.
(i) The Contractor shall—
(A) Render all necessary assistance to U.S. Armed Forces personnel with respect to the identification and screening of exempted individuals. This will require, at a minimum, the Contractor to submit the name and other biographical information necessary to the Government official specified in the contract for the purposes of conducting a background check; and
(B) Deny access or immediately remove any individual(s) from the vessel deemed unsuitable for any reason by the Government agency conducting the background checks. The Contractor agrees to replace any such individual promptly and require such replacements to fully comply with all screening requirements.
(ii) The head of the contracting activity may waive this requirement if the individual possesses a valid U.S. Merchant Mariner's Document issued under 46 U.S.C. chapter 73, or a transportation security card issued under section 70105 of such title.
(3) An individual exempted under paragraph (c)(1) of this clause is not treated as a riding gang member and shall not be counted as an individual in addition to the crew for the purposes of 46 U.S.C. 3304.
(End of clause)
Sections it refers to
- 247.574 Solicitation provisions and contract clauses.
← 252.247-7026 Evaluation Preference for Use of Domestic Shipyards—Applicable to Acquisition of Carriage by Vessel for DoD Cargo in the Coastwise or Noncontiguous Trade. · 252.247-7028 Application for U.S. Government Shipping Documentation/Instructions. →
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.