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

FAR 52.211-18 Variation in Estimated 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 applies when a fixed-price construction contract includes unit-priced items with estimated quantities. If the actual quantity differs by more than 15 percent above or below the estimate, either party can demand an equitable adjustment to the contract price based on cost changes caused solely by that variation. The contractor may also request a time extension in writing if the variation increases the time needed to complete the work.

Applies to: Fixed-price construction contracts with estimated unit-priced items

What it requires

  • Submit any written request for a time extension to the Contracting Officer within 10 days from the beginning of the delay, or within a further period granted by the Contracting Officer before final settlement.

Key terms: unit-priced item · estimated quantity · equitable adjustment · Contracting Officer · extension of time

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

The text

As prescribed in 11.703(c), insert the following clause in solicitations and contracts when a fixed-price construction contract is contemplated that authorizes a variation in the estimated quantity of unit-priced items:

Variation in Estimated Quantity (APR 1984)

If the quantity of a unit-priced item in this contract is an estimated quantity and the actual quantity of the unit-priced item varies more than 15 percent above or below the estimated quantity, an equitable adjustment in the contract price shall be made upon demand of either party. The equitable adjustment shall be based upon any increase or decrease in costs due solely to the variation above 115 percent or below 85 percent of the estimated quantity. If the quantity variation is such as to cause an increase in the time necessary for completion, the Contractor may request, in writing, an extension of time, to be received by the Contracting Officer within 10 days from the beginning of the delay, or within such further period as may be granted by the Contracting Officer before the date of final settlement of the contract. Upon the receipt of a written request for an extension, the Contracting Officer shall ascertain the facts and make an adjustment for extending the completion date as, in the judgement of the Contracting Officer, is justified.

(End of clause)

Sections it refers to

Sections that refer to it

← 52.211-17 Delivery of Excess Quantities. · 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Products and Commercial Services. →

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 52.211-18 Variation in Estimated Quantity · SpendQuery