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FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 4: Administrative and Information Matters › Subpart 4.1

FAR 4.102 Contractor's signature.

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 how a contract must be signed depending on whether the contractor is an individual, partnership, corporation, joint venture, or agent. It matters because the signature must match the contractor's legal form and the signer must have authority to bind the contractor, or the contract may not be properly executed.

Applies to: Contractors signing Government contracts, based on their legal form

What it requires

  • An individual doing business as a firm must sign and follow the signature with their typed, stamped, or printed name and the words ', an individual doing business as [firm name]'.
  • A partnership contract must be signed in the partnership name.
  • A corporation contract must be signed in the corporate name, followed by 'by' and the signature and title of the authorized person.
  • Each joint venture participant must sign in the manner prescribed for its type of participant.

Key terms: individual doing business as a firm · partnership · corporation · joint venturers · agent

Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.

The text

(a) Individuals. A contract with an individual shall be signed by that individual. A contract with an individual doing business as a firm shall be signed by that individual, and the signature shall be followed by the individual's typed, stamped, or printed name and the words “, an individual doing business as ______________________” [insert name of firm].

(b) Partnerships. A contract with a partnership shall be signed in the partnership name. Before signing for the Government, the contracting officer shall obtain a list of all partners and ensure that the individual(s) signing for the partnership have authority to bind the partnership.

(c) Corporations. A contract with a corporation shall be signed in the corporate name, followed by the word “by” and the signature and title of the person authorized to sign. The contracting officer shall ensure that the person signing for the corporation has authority to bind the corporation.

(d) Joint venturers. A contract with joint venturers may involve any combination of individuals, partnerships, or corporations. The contract shall be signed by each participant in the joint venture in the manner prescribed in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section for each type of participant. When a corporation is participating, the contracting officer shall verify that the corporation is authorized to participate in the joint venture.

(e) Agents. When an agent is to sign the contract, other than as stated in paragraphs (a) through (d) of this section, the agent's authorization to bind the principal must be established by evidence satisfactory to the contracting officer.

Sections that refer to it

  • 4.101 Contracting officer's signature.

← 4.101 Contracting officer's signature. · 4.103 Contract clause. →

Rule changes for FAR Part 4

Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.

FAR 4.102 Contractor's signature · SpendQuery