FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 35: Research and Development Contracting
FAR 35.009 Subcontracting research and development effort.
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 says that because R&D contractors are chosen largely for their scientific and technical expertise, a contractor should not subcontract technical or scientific work without the contracting officer knowing in advance. During negotiation of a cost-reimbursement R&D contract, the contracting officer must obtain full information about the contractor's subcontracting plans for the experimental, research, or development effort. For fixed-price contracts, the contracting officer should evaluate that information and may seek an agreement protecting the Government's interests.
Applies to: Contractors performing research and development contracts
What it requires
- Do not subcontract technical or scientific work without the contracting officer's advance knowledge
Key terms: cost-reimbursement R&D contract · fixed-price contract · subcontracting · contracting officer · prior approval
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
Since the selection of R&D contractors is substantially based on the best scientific and technological sources, it is important that the contractor not subcontract technical or scientific work without the contracting officer's advance knowledge. During the negotiation of a cost-reimbursement R&D contract, the contracting officer shall obtain complete information concerning the contractor's plans for subcontracting any portion of the experimental, research, or development effort (see also 35.007(c)). Also when negotiating a fixed-price contract, the contracting officer should evaluate this information and may obtain an agreement that protects the Government's interests. The clause at 52.244-2, Subcontracts, prescribed for certain types of contracts at 44.204(a), requires the contracting officer's prior approval for the placement of certain subcontracts.
Sections that refer to it
- 35.007 Solicitations.
← 35.008 Evaluation for award. · 35.010 Scientific and technical reports. →
Rule changes for FAR Part 35
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul Parts 16, 17, and 35 ↗ · proposed 2026-09-18 · comments due 2026-10-19
Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.