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FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 42: Contract Administration and Audit Services › Subpart 42.5

FAR 42.505 Postaward subcontractor conferences.

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 addresses postaward conferences with subcontractors, stating that the prime contractor is generally responsible for conducting them. It also sets limits on Government representatives who attend, requiring them to respect the lack of privity with subcontractors and to route any changes through written direction from the contracting officer to the prime contractor.

Applies to: Prime contractors and Government representatives involved in postaward subcontractor conferences

What it requires

  • Government representatives must recognize the lack of privity of contract between the Government and subcontractors
  • Government representatives shall not take action that is inconsistent with or alters subcontracts
  • Government representatives shall ensure any changes in direction or commitment affecting the prime contract or contractor are made by written direction of the contracting officer to the prime contractor

Key terms: prime contractor · subaward conferences · privity of contract · subcontracts · contracting officer

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

The text

(a) The prime contractor is generally responsible for conducting postaward conferences with subcontractors. However, the prime contractor may invite Government representatives to a conference with subcontractors, or the Government may request that the prime contractor initiate a conference with subcontractors. The prime contractor should ensure that representatives from involved contract administration offices are invited.

(b) Government representatives (1) must recognize the lack of privity of contract between the Government and subcontractors, (2) shall not take action that is inconsistent with or alters subcontracts, and (3) shall ensure that any changes in direction or commitment affecting the prime contract or contractor resulting from a subcontractor conference are made by written direction of the contracting officer to the prime contractor in the same manner as described in 42.503-2.

Sections it refers to

  • 42.503-2 Postaward conference procedure.

← 42.504 Postaward letters. · 42.601 General. →

Rule changes for FAR Part 42

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

FAR 42.505 Postaward subcontractor conferences · SpendQuery