Low RiskFARGeneral

52.214-26Audit and Records—Sealed Bidding.

Researched by the BidStride Research Team

What This Clause Requires

FAR 52.214-26 — Audit and Records—Sealed Bidding.. This clause is part of the Federal Acquisition Regulation and may be included in government contracts as a solicitation provision or contract clause.

Official Regulation Text

52.214-26 Audit and Records—Sealed Bidding. As prescribed in 14.201-7(a)(1), insert the following clause: Audit and Records—Sealed Bidding (JUN 2020) (a) As used in this clause, records includes books, documents, accounting procedures and practices, and other data, regardless of type and regardless of whether such items are in written form, in the form of computer data, or in any other form. (b) Certified cost or pricing data. If the Contractor has been required to submit certified cost or pricing data in connection with the pricing of any modification to this contract, the Contracting Officer, or an authorized representative of the Contracting Officer, in order to evaluate the accuracy, completeness, and currency of the certified cost or pricing data, shall have the right to examine and audit all of the Contractor's records, including computations and projections, related to— (1) The proposal for the modification; (2) The discussions conducted on the proposal(s), including those related to negotiating; (3) Pricing of the modification; or (4) Performance of the modification. (c) Comptroller General. In the case of pricing any modification, the Comptroller General of the United States, or an authorized representative, shall have the same rights as specified in paragraph (b) of this clause and also the right to interview any current employee regarding such transactions. (d) Availability. The Contractor shall make available at its office at all reasonable times the materials described in paragraph (b) of this clause, for examination, audit, or reproduction, until 3 years after final payment under this contract, or for any other period specified in subpart 4.7 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). FAR Subpart 4.7, Contractor Records Retention, in effect on the data of this contract, is incorporated by reference in its entirety and made a part of this contract. (1) If this contract is completely or partially terminated, the records relating to the work terminated

Source: eCFR, 48 CFR 52.214-26 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-48/section-52.214-26)

Compliance Checklist

  • If the Contractor has been required to submit certified cost or pricing data in connection with the pricing of any modification to this contract, the Contracting Officer, or an authorized representative of the Contracting Officer, in order to evaluate the accuracy, completeness, and currency of the certified cost or pricing data, shall have the right to examine and audit all of the Contractor's records, including computations and projections, related to— (1) The proposal for the modification; (2) The discussions conducted on the proposal(s), including those related to negotiating; (3) Pricing of the modification; or (4) Performance of the modification.
  • In the case of pricing any modification, the Comptroller General of the United States, or an authorized representative, shall have the same rights as specified in paragraph (b) of this clause and also the right to interview any current employee regarding such transactions.
  • The Contractor shall make available at its office at all reasonable times the materials described in paragraph (b) of this clause, for examination, audit, or reproduction, until 3 years after final payment under this contract, or for any other period specified in subpart 4.7 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).
  • (1) If this contract is completely or partially terminated, the records relating to the work terminated shall be made available for 3 years after any resulting final termination settlement.
  • (2) Records pertaining to appeals under the Disputes clause or to litigation or the settlement of claims arising under or relating to the performance of this contract shall be made available until disposition of such appeals, litigation, or claims.
  • The Contractor shall insert a clause containing all the provisions of this clause, including this paragraph (e), in all subcontracts expected to exceed the threshold for submission of certified cost or pricing data in FAR 15.403-4(a)(1) on the date of subcontract award.
  • App.), or an authorized representative of either of the foregoing officials, shall have access to and the right to— (1) Examine any of the Contractor's or any subcontractors' records that pertain to, and involve transactions relating to, this contract or a subcontract hereunder; and (2) Interview any officer or employee regarding such transactions.
  • (e)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (e)(2), the Contractor shall insert a clause containing the provisions of this clause, including this paragraph (e), in all subcontracts.

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

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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.