FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 26: Other Socioeconomic Programs › Subpart 26.5
FAR 26.504 Policy.
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 requires that, for contracts above the simplified acquisition threshold, an offeror (other than an individual) must agree to maintain a drug-free workplace to be considered a responsible source. It also requires individuals awarded any contract to agree not to engage in unlawful controlled substance activities while performing the contract. Contractors must implement specific actions, such as publishing a policy, conducting awareness programs, and notifying the contracting officer of employee drug convictions.
Applies to: Offerors (other than individuals) for contracts exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, and individuals awarded any contract
What it requires
- Publish a statement prohibiting unlawful controlled substance activities in the workplace and specifying actions for violations.
- Establish an ongoing drug-free awareness program covering dangers, policy, available programs, and penalties.
- Provide all employees engaged in contract performance with a copy of the statement.
- Notify employees in writing that as a condition of employment they must abide by the statement and report convictions in writing within 5 days.
Key terms: responsible source · simplified acquisition threshold · controlled substance · drug-free workplace · conviction
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
(a) No offeror other than an individual shall be considered a responsible source (see 9.104-1(g) and 19.602-1(a)(2)(i)) for a contract that exceeds the simplified acquisition threshold, unless it agrees that it will provide a drug-free workplace by—
(1) Publishing a statement notifying its employees that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance is prohibited in the contractor's workplace, and specifying the actions that will be taken against employees for violations of such prohibition;
(2) Establishing an ongoing drug-free awareness program to inform its employees about—
(i) The dangers of drug abuse in the workplace;
(ii) The contractor's policy of maintaining a drug-free workplace;
(iii) Any available drug counseling, rehabilitation, and employee assistance programs; and
(iv) The penalties that may be imposed upon employees for drug abuse violations occurring in the workplace;
(3) Providing all employees engaged in performance of the contract with a copy of the statement required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section;
(4) Notifying all employees in writing in the statement required by subparagraph (a)(1) of this section, that as a condition of employment on a covered contract, the employee will—
(i) Abide by the terms of the statement; and
(ii) Notify the employer in writing of the employee's conviction under a criminal drug statute for a violation occurring in the workplace no later than 5 days after such conviction;
(5) Notifying the contracting officer in writing within 10 days after receiving notice under subdivision (a)(4)(ii) of this section, from an employee or otherwise receiving actual notice of such conviction. The notice shall include the position title of the employee;
(6) Within 30 days after receiving notice under subparagraph (a)(4) of this section of a conviction, taking one of the following actions with respect to any employee who is convicted of a drug abuse violation occurring in the workplace:
(i) Taking appropriate personnel action against such employee, up to and including termination.
(ii) Requiring such employee to satisfactorily participate in a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program approved for such purposes by a Federal, State, or local health, law enforcement, or other appropriate agency.
(7) Making a good faith effort to maintain a drug-free workplace through implementation of subparagraphs (a)(1) through (a)(6) of this section.
(b) No individual shall be awarded a contract of any dollar value unless that individual agrees not to engage in the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance while performing the contract.
(c) For a contract of 30 days or more performance duration, the contractor shall comply with the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section within 30 days after contract award, unless the contracting officer agrees in writing that circumstances warrant a longer period of time to comply. Before granting such an extension, the contracting officer shall consider such factors as the number of contractor employees at the worksite, whether the contractor has or must develop a drug-free workplace program, and the number of contractor worksites. For contracts of less than 30 days performance duration, the contractor shall comply with the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section as soon as possible, but in any case, by a date prior to when performance is expected to be completed.
← 26.503 Definitions. · 26.505 Suspension of payments, termination of contract, and debarment and suspension actions. →
Rule changes for FAR Part 26
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul Parts 6, 7, 10, 18, 26, 37, and 41 ↗ · proposed 2026-06-23 · comments due 2026-07-23
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Inflation Adjustment of Acquisition-Related Thresholds ↗ · final rule 2025-08-27 · effective 2025-10-01
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Improving Consistency Between Procurement and Nonprocurement Procedures on Suspension and Debarment ↗ · final rule 2025-01-03 · effective 2025-01-17
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Inflation Adjustment of Acquisition-Related Thresholds ↗ · proposed 2024-11-29 · comments due 2025-01-28
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Sustainable Procurement ↗ · final rule 2024-04-22 · effective 2024-05-22
Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.