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

FAR 52.219-17 Section 8(a) Award.

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 is used in 8(a) contracts where the Small Business Administration (SBA) subcontracts with an eligible small business to perform the contract. It outlines the SBA's responsibilities, such as delegating contract administration to the contracting agency and making payments directly to the subcontractor, and requires the subcontractor to perform all contract requirements on behalf of the SBA.

Applies to: 8(a) program participants (small businesses) awarded a contract under section 8(a) of the Small Business Act

What it requires

  • The subcontractor must fulfill and perform all requirements of the contract on behalf of the SBA.
  • The contracting agency must give advance notice to the SBA before terminating the subcontractor's right to proceed.
  • The SBA must notify the contracting officer if the owner(s) upon whom 8(a) eligibility was based plan to relinquish ownership or control.

Key terms: 8(a) · Small Business Administration (SBA) · subcontractor · offeror · novation agreements

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

The text

As prescribed in 19.811-3(c), insert the following clause:

Section 8(a) Award (OCT 2019)

(a) By execution of a contract, the Small Business Administration (SBA) agrees to the following:

(1) To furnish the supplies or services set forth in the contract according to the specifications and the terms and conditions by subcontracting with the Offeror who has been determined an eligible concern pursuant to the provisions of section 8(a) of the Small Business Act, as amended (15 U.S.C. 637(a)).

(2) Except for novation agreements, delegates to the ______ [insert name of contracting activity] the responsibility for administering the contract with complete authority to take any action on behalf of the Government under the terms and conditions of the contract; provided, however that the contracting agency shall give advance notice to the SBA before it issues a final notice terminating the right of the subcontractor to proceed with further performance, either in whole or in part, under the contract.

(3) That payments to be made under the contract will be made directly to the subcontractor by the contracting activity.

(4) To notify the [insert name of contracting agency] Contracting Officer immediately upon notification by the subcontractor that the owner or owners upon whom 8(a) eligibility was based plan to relinquish ownership or control of the concern.

(5) That the subcontractor awarded a subcontract hereunder shall have the right of appeal from decisions of the cognizant Contracting Officer under the “Disputes” clause of the subcontract.

(b) The offeror/subcontractor agrees and acknowledges that it will, for and on behalf of the SBA, fulfill and perform all of the requirements of the contract.

(End of clause)

Sections it refers to

Sections that refer to it

← 52.219-16 Liquidated Damages—Subcontracting Plan. · 52.219-18 Notification of Competition Limited to Eligible 8(a) Participants. →

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 52.219-17 Section 8(a) Award · SpendQuery