FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 33: Protests, Disputes, and Appeals › Subpart 33.2
FAR 33.213 Obligation to continue performance.
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 explains that agencies may require a contractor to keep performing the contract in line with the contracting officer's decision while a claim is being finally resolved. It also distinguishes claims 'arising under' a contract from claims 'relating to' a contract, and notes that when the Disputes clause with Alternate I is used, the contracting officer should consider arranging financing for continued performance in disputes that relate to, but do not arise under, the contract.
Applies to: Contracts that include the Disputes clause at 52.233-1, including with Alternate I
What it requires
- Continue contract performance in accordance with the contracting officer's decision pending final resolution of a claim, if the agency requires it
Key terms: Disputes statute · claim arising under a contract · claim relating to a contract · Alternate I · 52.233-1, Disputes
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
(a) In general, before passage of the Disputes statute, the obligation to continue performance applied only to claims arising under a contract. However, the Disputes statute, at 41 U.S.C. 7103(g), authorizes agencies to require a contractor to continue contract performance in accordance with the contracting officer's decision pending a final resolution of any claim arising under, or relating to, the contract. (A claim arising under a contract is a claim that can be resolved under a contract clause, other than the clause at 52.233-1, Disputes, that provides for the relief sought by the claimant; however, relief for such claim can also be sought under the clause at 52.233-1. A claim relating to a contract is a claim that cannot be resolved under a contract clause other than the clause at 52.233-1.) This distinction is recognized by the clause with its Alternate I (see 33.215).
(b) In all contracts that include the clause at 52.233-1, Disputes, with its Alternate I, in the event of a dispute not arising under, but relating to, the contract, the contracting officer shall consider providing, through appropriate agency procedures, financing of the continued performance; provided, that the Government's interest is properly secured.
← 33.212 Contracting officer's duties upon appeal. · 33.214 Alternative dispute resolution (ADR). →
Rule changes for FAR Part 33
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul Parts 1, 2, 4, 33, 39, 40, and 53 ↗ · proposed 2026-06-23 · comments due 2026-07-23
- Federal Acquisition Regulation; Technical Amendments ↗ · final rule 2025-05-12 · effective 2025-06-11
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Controlled Unclassified Information ↗ · proposed 2025-01-15 · comments due 2025-03-17
- 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: Improving Consistency Between Procurement and Nonprocurement Procedures on Suspension and Debarment ↗ · proposed 2024-01-09 · comments due 2024-03-11
Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.