SpendQueryBeta

FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 50: Extraordinary Contractual Actions and the Safety Act › Subpart 50.1

FAR 50.103-5 Processing cases.

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 outlines how contracting officers process contractor requests for adjustments or amendments without consideration under FAR Part 50. It requires thorough investigation of facts, coordination between agencies when multiple agencies are involved, and specific steps when additional funds or national defense essentiality are at issue. Contractors should understand that their requests will be scrutinized and may involve interagency coordination before a decision is made.

Applies to: Contracting officers and agencies handling contractor requests for adjustment or amendment without consideration under FAR Part 50.

What it requires

  • Contracting officer or authorized representative shall make a thorough investigation to establish facts necessary to decide the case.
  • Obtain facts and evidence, including signed statements and audits if necessary, from contractor and Government personnel.
  • Interested agencies should maintain liaison to determine whether joint action should be taken when matters involve more than one agency.
  • When additional funds are required from another agency, the contracting agency may not approve adjustment requests before receiving advice that funds will be available.

Key terms: contractor request · contracting officer · thorough investigation · signed statements of material facts · amendment without consideration

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

The text

(a) In response to a contractor request made in accordance with 50.103-3(a), the contracting officer or an authorized representative shall make a thorough investigation to establish the facts necessary to decide a given case. Facts and evidence, including signed statements of material facts within the knowledge of individuals when documentary evidence is lacking, and audits if considered necessary to establish financial or cost facts, shall be obtained from contractor and Government personnel.

(b) When a case involves matters of interest to more than one Government agency, the interested agencies should maintain liaison with each other to determine whether joint action should be taken.

(c) When additional funds are required from another agency, the contracting agency may not approve adjustment requests before receiving advice that the funds will be available. The request for this advice shall give the contractor's name, the contract number, the amount of proposed relief, a brief description of the contract, and the accounting classification or fund citation. If the other agency makes additional funds available, the agency considering the adjustment request shall be solely responsible for any action taken on the request.

(d) When essentiality to the national defense is an issue (50.103-2(a)(1)), agencies considering requests for amendment without consideration involving another agency shall obtain advice on the issue from the other agency before making the final decision. When this advice is received, the agency considering the request for amendment without consideration shall be responsible for taking whatever action is appropriate.

Sections it refers to

← 50.103-4 Facts and evidence. · 50.103-6 Disposition. →

Rule changes for FAR Part 50

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

FAR 50.103-5 Processing cases · SpendQuery