252.219-7004 — Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Test Program).
Researched by the BidStride Research Team
What This Clause Requires
DFARS 252.219-7004 — Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Test Program).. This clause is part of the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement and applies specifically to Department of Defense contracts.
Official Regulation Text
252.219-7004 Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Test Program). As prescribed in 219.708(b)(1)(B), use the following clause: Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Test Program) (DEC 2022) (a) Definitions. As used in this clause— Covered small business concern means a small business concern, veteran-owned small business concern, service-disabled veteran-owned small business concern, HUBZone small business concern, women-owned small business concern, or small disadvantaged business concern, as these terms are defined in FAR 2.101. Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System (eSRS) means the Governmentwide, electronic, web-based system for small business subcontracting program reporting. The eSRS is located at http://www.esrs.gov . Failure to make a good faith effort to comply with a comprehensive subcontracting plan means a willful or intentional failure to perform in accordance with the requirements of the Contractor's approved comprehensive subcontracting plan or willful or intentional action to frustrate the plan. Subcontract means any agreement (other than one involving an employer-employee relationship) entered into by a Federal Government prime Contractor or subcontractor calling for supplies or services required for performance of the contract or subcontract. (b) Test Program. The Contractor's comprehensive small business subcontracting plan and its successors, which are authorized by and approved under the Test Program of 15 U.S.C. 637 note, as amended, shall be included in and made a part of this contract. Upon expulsion from the Test Program or expiration of the Test Program, the Contractor shall negotiate an individual subcontracting plan for all future contracts that meet the requirements of 15 U.S.C. 637(d). (c) Eligibility requirements. To become and remain eligible to participate in the Test Program, a business concern is required to have furnished supplies or services (including construction) under at least three DoD contracts during the preceding fiscal
Compliance Checklist
- Subcontract means any agreement (other than one involving an employer-employee relationship) entered into by a Federal Government prime Contractor or subcontractor calling for supplies or services required for performance of the contract or subcontract.
- 637 note, as amended, shall be included in and made a part of this contract.
- Upon expulsion from the Test Program or expiration of the Test Program, the Contractor shall negotiate an individual subcontracting plan for all future contracts that meet the requirements of 15 U.S.C.
- To become and remain eligible to participate in the Test Program, a business concern is required to have furnished supplies or services (including construction) under at least three DoD contracts during the preceding fiscal year, having an aggregate value of at least $100 million.
- (1) The Contractor shall report semiannually for the 6-month periods ending March 31 and September 30, the information in paragraphs (d)(1)(i) through (v) of this section within 30 days after the end of the reporting period.
- (iii) Total number of subcontracts active under the Test Program that would have otherwise required a subcontracting plan.
- (2) The Contractor shall— (i) Ensure that subcontractors with subcontracting plans agree to submit an Individual Subcontract Report (ISR) and/or Summary Subcontract Report (SSR) using the Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System (eSRS).
- (ii) Provide its contract number, its unique entity identifier, and the email address of the Contractor's official responsible for acknowledging or rejecting the ISR to all first-tier subcontractors, who will be required to submit ISRs, so they can enter this information into the eSRS when submitting their reports.
- (iii) Require that each subcontractor with a subcontracting plan provide the prime contract number, its own unique entity identifier, and the email address of the subcontractor's official responsible for acknowledging or rejecting the ISRs to its subcontractors with subcontracting plans who will be required to submit ISRs.
- (3) The Contractor shall submit SSRs using eSRS at http://www.esrs.gov .
- The reports shall provide information on subcontract awards to small business concerns, veteran-owned small business concerns, service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns, HUBZone small business concerns, small disadvantaged business concerns, and women-owned small business concerns.
- Subcontract award data reported by prime contractors and subcontractors shall be limited to awards made to their immediate next-tier subcontractors.
- (iii) The report shall be submitted semiannually for the six months ending March 31 and the twelve months ending September 30.
- The failure of the Contractor or subcontractor to comply in good faith with the clause of this contract entitled “Utilization of Small Business Concerns,” or an approved plan required by this clause, shall be a material breach of the contract.
- (3) If, after consideration of all relevant information, the Contracting Officer determines that the Contractor failed to make a good faith effort to comply with the comprehensive subcontracting plan, the Contracting Officer will issue a final decision to the Contractor to that effect and require the Contractor to pay liquidated damages to the Government in the amount identified in the comprehensive subcontracting plan.
- (4) The Contractor shall have the right of appeal under the clause in this contract entitled “Disputes” from any final decision of the Contracting Officer.
- The Contractor shall include in subcontracts that offer subcontracting opportunities, are expected to exceed the applicable threshold specified in FAR 19.702(a) on the date of subcontract award, and are required to include the clause at FAR 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns, the clauses at— (1) FAR 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan, and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 252.219-7003, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (DoD Contracts)—Basic; (2) FAR 52.219-9, Small Business Subcontracting Plan, with its Alternate III, and DFARS 252.219-7003, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (DoD Contracts)—Alternate I, to allow for submission of SF 294s in lieu of ISRs; or (3) DFARS 252.219-7004, Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Test Program), in subcontracts with subcontractors that participate in the Test Program described in DFARS 219.702-70.
Flow-Down to Subcontractors
Flow-down required
This clause must be included in subcontracts with no subcontractors where the subcontractor will perform work covered by this clause. Typically appears in contract Section Section I.
Frequently Asked Questions
DFARS 252.219-7004 (Small Business Subcontracting Plan (Test Program).) is a Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement clause applicable to Department of Defense contracts.
DFARS 252.219-7004 is typically required in DoD contracts when the contracting officer determines it's applicable. Check Section I of your solicitation.
Flow-down requirements vary. Review the specific clause text for subcontractor applicability provisions.
This summary is for informational purposes only and reflects the BidStride Research Team's plain-English interpretation of the regulation. It is not legal advice and does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. Always consult the official Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) or Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) text and qualified legal counsel for compliance decisions.