FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 52: Solicitation Provisions and Contract Clauses › Subpart 52.2
FAR 52.234-4 Earned Value Management System.
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 the contractor to use an earned value management system (EVMS) that the Cognizant Federal Agency has determined complies with EIA-748 guidelines to manage the contract. If the system is not yet compliant at award, the contractor must apply its current system and take actions to meet milestones in an approved EVMS plan. The clause also covers government reviews, change approvals, and subcontractor flow-down.
Applies to: Contractors awarded contracts that include this clause, and specified subcontractors.
What it requires
- Use an EVMS determined compliant with EIA-748 guidelines by the Cognizant Federal Agency.
- Submit reports in accordance with contract requirements.
- If not compliant at award, apply the current system and take necessary actions to meet milestones in the approved EVMS plan.
- Provide access to pertinent records and data for Government surveillance.
Key terms: earned value management system (EVMS) · Cognizant Federal Agency (CFA) · EIA-748 · Integrated Baseline Review (IBR) · EVMS plan
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
As prescribed in 34.203(c), insert the following clause:
Earned Value Management System (NOV 2016)
(a) The Contractor shall use an earned value management system (EVMS) that has been determined by the Cognizant Federal Agency (CFA) to be compliant with the guidelines in Electronic Industries Alliance Standard 748 (EIA-748) (current version at the time of award) to manage this contract. If the Contractor's current EVMS has not been determined compliant at the time of award, see paragraph (b) of this clause. The Contractor shall submit reports in accordance with the requirements of this contract.
(b) If, at the time of award, the Contractor's EVM System has not been determined by the CFA as complying with EVMS guidelines or the Contractor does not have an existing cost/schedule control system that is compliant with the guidelines in EIA-748 (current version at time of award), the Contractor shall—
(1) Apply the current system to the contract; and
(2) Take necessary actions to meet the milestones in the Contractor's EVMS plan approved by the Contracting Officer.
(c) The Government will conduct an Integrated Baseline Review (IBR). If a pre-award IBR has not been conducted, a post award IBR shall be conducted as early as practicable after contract award.
(d) The Contracting Officer may require an IBR at—
(1) Exercise of significant options; or
(2) Incorporation of major modifications.
(e) Unless a waiver is granted by the CFA, Contractor proposed EVMS changes require approval of the CFA prior to implementation. The CFA will advise the Contractor of the acceptability of such changes within 30 calendar days after receipt of the notice of proposed changes from the Contractor. If the advance approval requirements are waived by the CFA, the Contractor shall disclose EVMS changes to the CFA at least 14 calendar days prior to the effective date of implementation.
(f) The Contractor shall provide access to all pertinent records and data requested by the Contracting Officer or an authorized representative as necessary to permit Government surveillance to ensure that the EVMS conforms, and continues to conform, with the performance criteria referenced in paragraph (a) of this clause.
(g) The Contractor shall require the subcontractors specified below to comply with the requirements of this clause: [Insert list of applicable subcontractors.]
(End of clause)
Sections it refers to
- 34.203 Solicitation provisions and contract clause.
← 52.234-3 Notice of Earned Value Management System—Postaward Integrated Baseline Review. · 52.235 [Reserved] →
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.