FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 52: Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses › Subpart 52.2
FAR 52.211-16 Variation in Quantity.
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 states that the government will not accept any variation in the quantity of items ordered unless the variation is caused by loading, shipping, packing, or manufacturing allowances, and only up to the limits set in paragraph (b). The contracting officer fills in the allowable percentage increase or decrease and specifies which quantities the percentages apply to.
Applies to: Contracts that include this clause, as prescribed in FAR 11.703(a).
Key terms: variation in quantity · loading · shipping · packing · manufacturing processes
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
As prescribed in 11.703(a), insert the following clause:
Variation in Quantity (APR 1984)
(a) A variation in the quantity of any item called for by this contract will not be accepted unless the variation has been caused by conditions of loading, shipping, or packing, or allowances in manufacturing processes, and then only to the extent, if any, specified in paragraph (b) below.
(b) The permissible variation shall be limited to:
__ Percent increase [Contracting Officer insert percentage]
__ Percent decrease [Contracting Officer insert percentage]
This increase or decrease shall apply to __ *
(End of clause)
*Contracting Officer shall insert in the blank the designation(s) to which the percentages apply, such as (1) the total contract quantity, (2) item 1 only, (3) each quantity specified in the delivery schedule, (4) the total item quantity for each destination, or (5) the total quantity of each item without regard to destination.
Sections it refers to
- 11.703 Contract clauses.
← 52.211-15 Defense Priority and Allocation Requirements. · 52.211-17 Delivery of Excess Quantities. →
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.