FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 43: Contract Modifications › Subpart 43.1
FAR 43.101 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 43, including 'administrative change' and 'effective date.' It clarifies that an administrative change is a unilateral written change that does not affect the substantive rights of the parties, and it specifies how the effective date is determined for various types of contract modifications. Understanding these definitions helps contractors know when changes take effect and what constitutes a minor administrative change versus a substantive one.
Applies to: Contractors and contracting officers involved in contract modifications under FAR Part 43
Key terms: Administrative change · Effective date · Unilateral · Supplemental agreement · Termination for convenience
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
As used in this part—
Administrative change means a unilateral (see 43.103(b)) contract change, in writing, that does not affect the substantive rights of the parties (e.g., a change in the paying office or the appropriation data).
Effective date means—
(1) For a solicitation amendment, change order, or administrative change, the effective date shall be the issue date of the amendment, change order, or administrative change.
(2) For a supplemental agreement, the effective date shall be the date agreed upon by the contracting parties.
(3) For a modification issued as a confirming notice of termination for the convenience of the Government, the effective date of the confirming notice shall be the same as the effective date of the initial notice.
(4) For a modification converting a termination for default to a termination for the convenience of the Government, the effective date shall be the same as the effective date of the termination for default.
(5) For a modification confirming the termination contracting officer's previous letter determination of the amount due in settlement of a contract termination for convenience, the effective date shall be the same as the effective date of the previous letter determination.
Sections it refers to
- 43.103 Types of contract modifications.
← 43.000 Scope of part. · 43.102 Policy. →
Rule changes for FAR Part 43
- Federal Acquisition Regulation; Technical Amendments ↗ · final rule 2025-08-07 · effective 2025-08-07
Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.