FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 43: Contract Modifications › Subpart 43.2
FAR 43.201 General.
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 that government contracts generally include a changes clause allowing the contracting officer to make unilateral changes within the contract's general scope, usually via a written change order on SF 30. It matters because a contractor must generally keep performing the contract as changed, with a limited exception for cost-reimbursement or incrementally funded contracts. It also allows change orders by electronic means in unusual or urgent circumstances if the message contains substantially the SF 30 information and the SF 30 is issued promptly.
Applies to: Government contracts containing a changes clause and the contractors performing them
What it requires
- Continue performance of the contract as changed, except in cost-reimbursement or incrementally funded contracts where the contractor is not obligated to continue performance or incur costs beyond the limits in the Limitation of Cost or Limitation of Funds clause
Key terms: changes clause · contracting officer · unilateral changes · general scope of the contract · SF 30
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
(a) Generally, Government contracts contain a changes clause that permits the contracting officer to make unilateral changes, in designated areas, within the general scope of the contract. These are accomplished by issuing written change orders on Standard Form 30, Amendment of Solicitation/Modification of Contract (SF 30), unless otherwise provided (see 43.301).
(b) The contractor must continue performance of the contract as changed, except that in cost-reimbursement or incrementally funded contracts the contractor is not obligated to continue performance or incur costs beyond the limits established in the Limitation of Cost or Limitation of Funds clause (see 32.706-2).
(c) The contracting officer may issue a change order by electronic means without a SF 30 under unusual or urgent circumstances, provided that the message contains substantially the information required by the SF 30 and immediate action is taken to issue the SF 30.
← 43.107 Contract clause. · 43.202 Authority to issue change orders. →
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.