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

FAR 52.243-1 Changes—Fixed-Price.

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 lets the Contracting Officer order changes within the general scope of a fixed-price contract, such as changes to drawings, shipment methods, or delivery place. If a change increases or decreases your cost or performance time, the Contracting Officer must make an equitable adjustment to the price, schedule, or both. You must assert your right to an adjustment within 30 days of receiving the written order, though the Contracting Officer may accept a later proposal before final payment if the facts justify it.

Applies to: Fixed-price contracts that include this clause

What it requires

  • Assert your right to an adjustment within 30 days from receipt of the written change order.
  • Continue performing the contract as changed even if you disagree with the adjustment.
  • If your proposal includes costs for property made obsolete or excess by the change, follow the Contracting Officer's directions for disposing of that property.

Key terms: Contracting Officer · equitable adjustment · written order · general scope of this contract · Disputes clause

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

The text

As prescribed in 43.205(a)(1), insert the following clause. The 30-day period may be varied according to agency procedures.

Changes—Fixed-Price (AUG 1987)

(a) The Contracting Officer may at any time, by written order, and without notice to the sureties, if any, make changes within the general scope of this contract in any one or more of the following:

(2) Drawings, designs, or specifications when the supplies to be furnished are to be specially manufactured for the Government in accordance with the drawings, designs, or specifications.

(2) Method of shipment or packing.

(3) Place of delivery.

(b) If any such change causes an increase or decrease in the cost of, or the time required for, performance of any part of the work under this contract, whether or not changed by the order, the Contracting Officer shall make an equitable adjustment in the contract price, the delivery schedule, or both, and shall modify the contract.

(c) The Contractor must assert its right to an adjustment under this clause within 30 days from the date of receipt of the written order. However, if the Contracting Officer decides that the facts justify it, the Contracting Officer may receive and act upon a proposal submitted before final payment of the contract.

(d) If the Contractor's proposal includes the cost of property made obsolete or excess by the change, the Contracting Officer shall have the right to prescribe the manner of the disposition of the property.

(e) Failure to agree to any adjustment shall be a dispute under the Disputes clause. However, nothing in this clause shall excuse the Contractor from proceeding with the contract as changed.

(End of clause)

Alternate I (APR 1984). If the requirement is for services, other than architect-engineer or other professional services, and no supplies are to be furnished, substitute the following paragraph (a) for paragraph (a) of the basic clause:

(a) The Contracting Officer may at any time, by written order, and without notice to the sureties, if any, make changes within the general scope of this contract in any one or more of the following:

(1) Description of services to be performed.

(2) Time of performance (i.e., hours of the day, days of the week, etc.).

(3) Place of performance of the services.

Alternate II (APR 1984). If the requirement is for services (other than architect-engineer services, transportation, or research and development) and supplies are to be furnished, substitute the following paragraph (a) for paragraph (a) of the basic clause:

(a) The Contracting Officer may at any time, by written order, and without notice to the sureties, if any, make changes within the general scope of this contract in any one or more of the following:

(1) Description of services to be performed.

(2) Time of performance (i.e., hours of the day, days of the week, etc.).

(3) Place of performance of the services.

(4) Drawings, designs, or specifications when the supplies to be furnished are to be specially manufactured for the Government in accordance with the drawings, designs, or specifications.

(5) Method of shipment or packing of supplies.

(6) Place of delivery.

Alternate III (APR 1984). If the requirement is for architect-engineer or other professional services, substitute the following paragraph (a) for paragraph (a) of the basic clause and add the following paragraph (f):

(a) The Contracting Officer may at any time, by written order, and without notice to the sureties, if any, make changes within the general scope of this contract in the services to be performed.

(f) No services for which an additional cost or fee will be charged by the Contractor shall be furnished without the prior written authorization of the Contracting Officer.

Alternate IV (APR 1984). If the requirement is for transportation services, substitute the following paragraph (a) for paragraph (a) of the basic clause:

(a) The Contracting Officer may at any time, by written order, and without notice to the sureties, if any, make changes within the general scope of this contract in any one or more of the following:

(1) Specifications.

(2) Work or services.

(3) Place of origin.

(4) Place of delivery.

(5) Tonnage to be shipped.

(6) Amount of Government-furnished property.

Alternate V (APR 1984). If the requirement is for research and development and it is desired to include the clause, substitute the following subparagraphs (a)(1) and (a)(3) and paragraph (b) for subparagraphs (a)(1) and (a)(3) and paragraph (b) of the basic clause:

(a)(1) Drawings, designs, or specifications.

(3) Place of inspection, delivery, or acceptance.

(b) If any such change causes an increase or decrease in the cost of, or time required for, performing this contract, whether or not changed by the order, the Contracting Officer shall make an equitable adjustment in (1) the contract price, the time of performance, or both; and (2) other affected terms of the contract, and shall modify the contract accordingly.

Sections it refers to

Sections that refer to it

← 52.242-17 Government Delay of Work. · 52.243-2 Changes—Cost-Reimbursement. →

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 52.243-1 Changes—Fixed-Price · SpendQuery