FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 52: Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses › Subpart 52.2
FAR 52.203-3 Gratuities.
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 clause allows the Government to terminate the contract if the Contractor, its agent, or another representative offered or gave a gratuity to a Government officer, official, or employee with the intent to obtain a contract or favorable treatment. If terminated, the Government can pursue breach of contract remedies and, for Department of Defense contracts, exemplary damages of 3 to 10 times the cost of the gratuities.
Applies to: Contractors, their agents, and representatives
Key terms: gratuity · terminated · exemplary damages · breach of the contract · Department of Defense
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
As prescribed in 3.202, insert the following clause:
Gratuities (APR 1984)
(a) The right of the Contractor to proceed may be terminated by written notice if, after notice and hearing, the agency head or a designee determines that the Contractor, its agent, or another representative—
(1) Offered or gave a gratuity (e.g., an entertainment or gift) to an officer, official, or employee of the Government; and
(2) Intended, by the gratuity, to obtain a contract or favorable treatment under a contract.
(b) The facts supporting this determination may be reviewed by any court having lawful jurisdiction.
(c) If this contract is terminated under paragraph (a) above, the Government is entitled—
(1) To pursue the same remedies as in a breach of the contract; and
(2) In addition to any other damages provided by law, to exemplary damages of not less than 3 nor more than 10 times the cost incurred by the Contractor in giving gratuities to the person concerned, as determined by the agency head or a designee. (This subparagraph (c)(2) is applicable only if this contract uses money appropriated to the Department of Defense.)
(d) The rights and remedies of the Government provided in this clause shall not be exclusive and are in addition to any other rights and remedies provided by law or under this contract.
(End of clause)
Sections it refers to
- 3.202 Contract clause.
Sections that refer to it
- 3.202 Contract clause.
- 212.301 Solicitation provisions and contract clauses for the acquisition of commercial products and commercial services.
- 227.7009-1 Required clauses.
- 237.7204 Format and clauses for educational service agreements.
- 252.227-7012 Patent License and Release Contract.
← 52.203-2 Certificate of Independent Price Determination. · 52.203-4 [Reserved] →
Rule changes for FAR Part 52
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Revolutionary FAR Overhaul Parts 8, 12, 13, 15, 38, 44, and 51 ↗ · proposed 2026-09-18 · comments due 2026-10-19
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul Parts 16, 17, and 35 ↗ · proposed 2026-09-18 · comments due 2026-10-19
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul Parts 9, 27, and 47 ↗ · proposed 2026-09-18 · comments due 2026-10-19
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul Parts 14, 28, 36, and 52 ↗ · proposed 2026-09-18 · comments due 2026-10-19
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul Parts 3 and 49 ↗ · proposed 2026-06-23 · comments due 2026-07-23
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul Parts 5, 24, and 29 ↗ · proposed 2026-06-23 · comments due 2026-07-23
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul Parts 6, 7, 10, 18, 26, 37, and 41 ↗ · proposed 2026-06-23 · comments due 2026-07-23
- 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
Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.