FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 52: Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses › Subpart 52.2

FAR 52.211-10 Commencement, Prosecution, and Completion of Work.

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 sets the timing rules for fixed-price construction contracts: when work must start, that it must be pursued diligently, and when it must be finished. It matters because missing these dates can put the contractor in default, and Alternate I explains how the completion date shifts if the notice to proceed arrives late.

Applies to: Fixed-price construction contracts (and, as adapted, orders under indefinite-delivery construction contracts)

What it requires

  • Commence work within the number of calendar days stated in the contract after receiving the notice to proceed
  • Prosecute the work diligently
  • Complete the entire work, including final cleanup of the premises, by the stated deadline

Key terms: notice to proceed · commence work · prosecute the work diligently · completion date · final cleanup

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

The text

As prescribed in 11.404(b), insert the following clause in solicitations and contracts when a fixed-price construction contract is contemplated. The clause may be changed to accommodate the issuance of orders under indefinite-delivery contracts for construction.

Commencement, Prosecution, and Completion of Work (APR 1984)

The Contractor shall be required to (a) commence work under this contract within __ [Contracting Officer insert number] calendar days after the date the Contractor receives the notice to proceed, (b) prosecute the work diligently, and (c) complete the entire work ready for use not later than __*. The time stated for completion shall include final cleanup of the premises.

(End of clause)

*The Contracting Officer shall specify either a number of days after the date the contractor receives the notice to proceed, or a calendar date.

Alternate I (APR 1984). If the completion date is expressed as a specific calendar date, computed on the basis of the contractor receiving the notice to proceed by a certain day, add the following paragraph to the basic clause:

The completion date is based on the assumption that the successful offeror will receive the notice to proceed by __ [Contracting Officer insert date]. The completion date will be extended by the number of calendar days after the above date that the Contractor receives the notice to proceed, except to the extent that the delay in issuance of the notice to proceed results from the failure of the Contractor to execute the contract and give the required performance and payment bonds within the time specified in the offer.

Sections it refers to

Sections that refer to it

← 52.211-9 Desired and Required Time of Delivery. · 52.211-11 Liquidated Damages—Supplies, Services, or Research and Development. →

Rule changes for FAR Part 52

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

FAR 52.211-10 Commencement, Prosecution, and Completion of Work · SpendQuery