FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 52: Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses › Subpart 52.2
FAR 52.216-19 Order Limitations.
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 minimum and maximum order limits for a contract. The Government is not required to buy below the minimum, and the Contractor is not required to accept orders above the maximum unless the Contractor returns the order with written notice within a specified number of days. It matters because it defines when each party is obligated to buy or supply under the contract.
Applies to: Contractors with contracts that include this clause, as prescribed in FAR 16.506(b).
What it requires
- Honor any order exceeding the maximum order limitations unless the order is returned to the ordering office within the specified number of days after issuance with written notice stating the Contractor's intent not to ship and the reasons.
Key terms: Minimum order · Maximum order · Requirements contract · Ordering office · Written notice
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
As prescribed in 16.506(b), insert a clause substantially the same as follows:
Order Limitations (OCT 1995)
(a) Minimum order. When the Government requires supplies or services covered by this contract in an amount of less than ___ [insert dollar figure or quantity], the Government is not obligated to purchase, nor is the Contractor obligated to furnish, those supplies or services under the contract.
(b) Maximum order. The Contractor is not obligated to honor—
(1) Any order for a single item in excess of ___ [insert dollar figure or quantity];
(2) Any order for a combination of items in excess of ___ [insert dollar figure or quantity]; or
(3) A series of orders from the same ordering office within __ days that together call for quantities exceeding the limitation in subparagraph (1) or (2) above.
(c) If this is a requirements contract (i.e., includes the Requirements clause at subsection 52.216-21 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)), the Government is not required to order a part of any one requirement from the Contractor if that requirement exceeds the maximum-order limitations in paragraph (b) above.
(d) Notwithstanding paragraphs (b) and (c) above, the Contractor shall honor any order exceeding the maximum order limitations in paragraph (b), unless that order (or orders) is returned to the ordering office within __ days after issuance, with written notice stating the Contractor's intent not to ship the item (or items) called for and the reasons. Upon receiving this notice, the Government may acquire the supplies or services from another source.
(End of clause)
← 52.216-18 Ordering. · 52.216-20 Definite Quantity. →
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.