FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 52: Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses › Subpart 52.2
FAR 52.204-20 Predecessor of Offeror.
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 provision requires an offeror to state whether it is a successor to a predecessor that held a Federal contract or grant within the last three years. If it is, the offeror must list the predecessor's CAGE code (or mark 'Unknown') and legal name. It matters because it discloses corporate lineage that could affect responsibility and past performance assessments.
Applies to: Offerors responding to solicitations that include this provision
What it requires
- Represent whether it is or is not a successor to a predecessor that held a Federal contract or grant within the last three years
- If it is a successor, enter the predecessor CAGE code or mark 'Unknown'
- If it is a successor, enter the predecessor legal name, not a 'doing business as' name
- If more than one predecessor, list them in reverse chronological order
Key terms: Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code · Predecessor · Successor · NATO CAGE (NCAGE) code
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
As prescribed in 4.1804(d), insert the following provision:
Predecessor of Offeror (AUG 2020)
(a) Definitions. As used in this provision—
Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code means—
(1) An identifier assigned to entities located in the United States or its outlying areas by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Branch to identify a commercial or government entity by unique location; or
(2) An identifier assigned by a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) to entities located outside the United States and its outlying areas that the DLA Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Branch records and maintains in the CAGE master file. This type of code is known as a NATO CAGE (NCAGE) code.
Predecessor means an entity that is replaced by a successor and includes any predecessors of the predecessor.
Successor means an entity that has replaced a predecessor by acquiring the assets and carrying out the affairs of the predecessor under a new name (often through acquisition or merger). The term “successor” does not include new offices/divisions of the same company or a company that only changes its name. The extent of the responsibility of the successor for the liabilities of the predecessor may vary, depending on State law and specific circumstances.
(b) The Offeror represents that it □ is or □ is not a successor to a predecessor that held a Federal contract or grant within the last three years.
(c) If the Offeror has indicated “is” in paragraph (b) of this provision, enter the following information for all predecessors that held a Federal contract or grant within the last three years (if more than one predecessor, list in reverse chronological order):
Predecessor CAGE code: ________ (or mark “Unknown”).
Predecessor legal name: ________.
(Do not use a “doing business as” name).
(End of provision)
Sections it refers to
- 4.1804 Solicitation provisions and contract clause.
← 52.204-19 Incorporation by Reference of Representations and Certifications. · 52.204-21 Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information Systems. →
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.