FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 52: Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses › Subpart 52.2
FAR 52.226-7 Drug-Free Workplace.
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 requires most contractors to maintain a drug-free workplace by publishing a policy, running an awareness program, and acting on employee drug convictions. It matters because failing to comply can lead to suspended payments, termination for default, or debarment.
Applies to: Contractors other than individuals (and individuals have a separate, simpler obligation)
What it requires
- Publish a statement prohibiting unlawful controlled substance use in the workplace and specifying actions for violations.
- Establish an ongoing drug-free awareness program covering dangers, policy, available assistance, and penalties.
- Give all employees working on the contract a copy of the statement.
- Notify employees that they must abide by the statement and report any workplace drug conviction in writing within 5 days.
Key terms: Controlled substance · Conviction · Criminal drug statute · Drug-free workplace · Employee
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
As prescribed in 26.506, insert the following clause:
Drug-Free Workplace (MAY 2024)
(a) Definitions. As used in this clause—
Controlled substance means a controlled substance in schedules I through V of section 202 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812) and as further defined in regulation at 21 CFR 1308.11-1308.15.
Conviction means a finding of guilt (including a plea of nolo contendere) or imposition of sentence, or both, by any judicial body charged with the responsibility to determine violations of the Federal or State criminal drug statutes.
Criminal drug statute means a Federal or non-Federal criminal statute involving the manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession or use of any controlled substance.
Drug-free workplace means the site(s) for the performance of work done by the Contractor in connection with a specific contract where employees of the Contractor are prohibited from engaging in the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance.
Employee means an employee of a Contractor directly engaged in the performance of work under a Government contract. Directly engaged is defined to include all direct cost employees and any other Contractor employee who has other than a minimal impact or involvement in contract performance.
Individual means an offeror/contractor that has no more than one employee including the offeror/contractor.
(b) The Contractor, if other than an individual, shall—within 30 days after award (unless a longer period is agreed to in writing for contracts of 30 days or more performance duration); or as soon as possible for contracts of less than 30 days performance duration—
(1) Publish a statement notifying its employees that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance is prohibited in the contractor's workplace and specifying the actions that will be taken against employees for violations of such prohibition;
(2) Establish an ongoing drug-free awareness program to inform such employees about—
(i) The dangers of drug abuse in the workplace;
(ii) The contractor's policy of maintaining a drug-free workplace;
(iii) Any available drug counseling, rehabilitation, and employee assistance programs; and
(iv) The penalties that may be imposed upon employees for drug abuse violations occurring in the workplace.
(3) Provide all employees engaged in performance of the contract with a copy of the statement required by subparagraph (b)(1) of this clause;
(4) Notify such employees in writing in the statement required by subparagraph (b)(1) of this clause that, as a condition of continued employment on this contract, the employee will—
(i) Abide by the terms of the statement; and
(ii) Notify the employer in writing of the employee's conviction under a criminal drug statute for a violation occurring in the workplace no later than 5 days after such conviction.
(5) Notify the Contracting Officer in writing within 10 days after receiving notice under subdivision (b)(4)(ii) of this clause, from an employee or otherwise receiving actual notice of such conviction. The notice shall include the position title of the employee;
(6) Within 30 days after receiving notice under subdivision (b)(4)(ii) of this clause of a conviction, take one of the following actions with respect to any employee who is convicted of a drug abuse violation occurring in the workplace:
(i) Taking appropriate personnel action against such employee, up to and including termination; or
(ii) Require such employee to satisfactorily participate in a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program approved for such purposes by a Federal, State, or local health, law enforcement, or other appropriate agency; and
(7) Make a good faith effort to maintain a drug-free workplace through implementation of subparagraphs (b)(1) through (b)(6) of this clause.
(c) The Contractor, if an individual, agrees by award of the contract or acceptance of a purchase order, not to engage in the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance while performing this contract.
(d) In addition to other remedies available to the Government, the Contractor's failure to comply with the requirements of paragraph (b) or (c) of this clause may, pursuant to FAR 26.505, render the Contractor subject to suspension of contract payments, termination of the contract for default, and suspension or debarment.
(End of clause)
Sections it refers to
← 52.226-6 Promoting Excess Food Donation to Nonprofit Organizations. · 52.226-8 Encouraging Contractor Policies To Ban Text Messaging While Driving. →
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.