FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 36: Construction and Architect-engineer Contracts › Subpart 36.1
FAR 36.102 Definitions.
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 defines key terms used in FAR Part 36, which covers construction and architect-engineer contracts. It clarifies what terms like design, design-build, and record drawings mean so contractors understand how the rules apply to their work.
Applies to: Contractors and offerors on construction and architect-engineer services contracts
Key terms: Design · Design-bid-build · Design-build · Firm · Plans and specifications
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
As used in this part—
Contract is intended to refer to a contract for construction or a contract for architect-engineer services, unless another meaning is clearly intended.
Design means defining the construction requirement (including the functional relationships and technical systems to be used, such as architectural, environmental, structural, electrical, mechanical, and fire protection), producing the technical specifications and drawings, and preparing the construction cost estimate.
Design-bid-build means the traditional delivery method where design and construction are sequential and contracted for separately with two contracts and two contractors.
Design-build means combining design and construction in a single contract with one contractor.
Firm in conjunction with architect-engineer services, means any individual, partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity permitted by law to practice the professions of architecture or engineering.
Plans and specifications means drawings, specifications, and other data for and preliminary to the construction.
Record drawings means drawings submitted by a contractor or subcontractor at any tier to show the construction of a particular structure or work as actually completed under the contract.
Two-phase design-build selection procedures is a selection method in which a limited number of offerors (normally five or fewer) is selected during Phase One to submit detailed proposals for Phase Two (see subpart 36.3).
Sections that refer to it
- 232.102 Description of contract financing methods.
← 36.101 Applicability. · 36.103 Methods of contracting. →
Rule changes for FAR Part 36
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul Parts 14, 28, 36, and 52 ↗ · proposed 2026-09-18 · comments due 2026-10-19
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Inflation Adjustment of Acquisition-Related Thresholds ↗ · final rule 2025-08-27 · effective 2025-10-01
- Federal Acquisition Regulation; Technical Amendments ↗ · final rule 2024-12-16 · effective 2025-01-03
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Inflation Adjustment of Acquisition-Related Thresholds ↗ · proposed 2024-11-29 · comments due 2025-01-28
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Prohibition on the Use of Reverse Auctions for Complex, Specialized, or Substantial Design and Construction Services ↗ · proposed 2024-08-29 · comments due 2024-10-28
- 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.