FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 4: Administrative and Information Matters › Subpart 4.2
FAR 4.201 Procedures.
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 tells contracting officers how and when to distribute copies of contracts and modifications after they are signed. It matters to contractors because it sets the timeline and the offices that must receive the contract, which affects who has the official paperwork. The contracting officer must distribute copies within 10 working days after execution by all parties.
Applies to: Contracting officers distributing contracts or modifications
What it requires
- Distribute copies of contracts or modifications within 10 working days after execution by all parties
- Distribute simultaneously one signed copy or reproduction of the signed contract to the contractor and the paying office
- When a contract is assigned to another office for contract administration, provide that office one copy or reproduction of the signed contract and of each modification, and a copy of the contract distribution list showing offices that should receive copies of modifications and any changes to the lis
- Distribute one copy to each accounting and finance office (funding office) whose funds are cited in the contract
Key terms: contracting officer · modification · execution · contract administration · funding office
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
Contracting officers shall distribute copies of contracts or modifications within 10 working days after execution by all parties. As a minimum, the contracting officer shall—
(a) Distribute simultaneously one signed copy or reproduction of the signed contract to the contractor and the paying office;
(b) When a contract is assigned to another office for contract administration (see subpart 42.2), provide to that office—
(1) One copy or reproduction of the signed contract and of each modification; and
(2) A copy of the contract distribution list, showing those offices that should receive copies of modifications, and any changes to the list as they occur;
(c) Distribute one copy to each accounting and finance office (funding office) whose funds are cited in the contract;
(d) When the contract is not assigned for administration but contains a Cost Accounting Standards clause, provide one copy of the contract to the cognizant administrative contracting officer and mark the copy “FOR COST ACCOUNTING STANDARDS ADMINISTRATION ONLY” (see 30.601(b));
(e) Provide one copy of each contract or modification that requires audit service to the appropriate field audit office listed in the “Directory of Federal Contract Audit Offices” (see 42.103); and
(f) Provide copies of contracts and modifications to those organizations required to perform contract administration support functions (e.g., when manufacturing is performed at multiple sites, the contract administration office cognizant of each location).
← 4.103 Contract clause. · 4.202 Agency distribution requirements. →
Rule changes for FAR Part 4
- 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: Inflation Adjustment of Acquisition-Related Thresholds ↗ · final rule 2025-08-27 · effective 2025-10-01
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer Programs ↗ · proposed 2025-06-12
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Controlled Unclassified Information ↗ · proposed 2025-01-15 · comments due 2025-03-17
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Disclosure of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate-Related Financial Risk ↗ · proposed 2025-01-13
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Rerepresentation of Size and Socioeconomic Status ↗ · final rule 2025-01-03 · effective 2025-01-17
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Prohibition on Unmanned Aircraft Systems From Covered Foreign Entities ↗ · final rule 2024-12-30
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Inflation Adjustment of Acquisition-Related Thresholds ↗ · proposed 2024-11-29 · comments due 2025-01-28
Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.