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

FAR 52.243-4 Changes.

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 allows the Contracting Officer to make changes to the work within the general scope of the contract by written order. If a change increases or decreases the contractor's cost or time, the Contracting Officer must make an equitable adjustment and modify the contract in writing. The contractor must give written notice and assert its right to an adjustment within specified time limits.

Applies to: Contractors under contracts that include this clause

What it requires

  • Give the Contracting Officer written notice if treating an oral or written order as a change order, stating the date, circumstances, and source of the order and that the contractor regards it as a change order.
  • Assert the right to an adjustment within 30 days after receipt of a written change order or furnishing of written notice, by submitting a written statement describing the general nature and amount of the proposal, unless the period is extended by the Government.

Key terms: Contracting Officer · change order · equitable adjustment · written notice · final payment

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

The text

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

Changes (JUN 2007)

(a) The Contracting Officer may, at any time, without notice to the sureties, if any, by written order designated or indicated to be a change order, make changes in the work within the general scope of the contract, including changes—

(1) In the specifications (including drawings and designs);

(2) In the method or manner of performance of the work;

(3) In the Government-furnished property or services; or

(4) Directing acceleration in the performance of the work.

(b) Any other written or oral order (which, as used in this paragraph (b), includes direction, instruction, interpretation, or determination) from the Contracting Officer that causes a change shall be treated as a change order under this clause; provided, that the Contractor gives the Contracting Officer written notice stating (1) the date, circumstances, and source of the order and (2) that the Contractor regards the order as a change order.

(c) Except as provided in this clause, no order, statement, or conduct of the Contracting Officer shall be treated as a change under this clause or entitle the Contractor to an equitable adjustment.

(d) If any change under this clause causes an increase or decrease in the Contractor's cost of, or the time required for, the performance of any part of the work under this contract, whether or not changed by any such order, the Contracting Officer shall make an equitable adjustment and modify the contract in writing. However, except for an adjustment based on defective specifications, no adjustment for any change under paragraph (b) of this clause shall be made for any costs incurred more than 20 days before the Contractor gives written notice as required. In the case of defective specifications for which the Government is responsible, the equitable adjustment shall include any increased cost reasonably incurred by the Contractor in attempting to comply with the defective specifications.

(e) The Contractor must assert its right to an adjustment under this clause within 30 days after (1) receipt of a written change order under paragraph (a) of this clause or (2) the furnishing of a written notice under paragraph (b) of this clause, by submitting to the Contracting Officer a written statement describing the general nature and amount of proposal, unless this period is extended by the Government. The statement of proposal for adjustment may be included in the notice under paragraph (b) above.

(f) No proposal by the Contractor for an equitable adjustment shall be allowed if asserted after final payment under this contract.

(End of clause)

Sections it refers to

Sections that refer to it

← 52.243-3 Changes—Time-and-Materials or Labor-Hours. · 52.243-5 Changes and Changed Conditions. →

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 52.243-4 Changes · SpendQuery