52.230-6 — Administration of Cost Accounting Standards.
Researched by the BidStride Research Team
What This Clause Requires
FAR 52.230-6 — Administration of Cost Accounting Standards.. 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
52.230-6 Administration of Cost Accounting Standards. As prescribed in 30.201-4(d)(1), insert the following clause: Administration of Cost Accounting Standards (JUN 2010) For the purpose of administering the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) requirements under this contract, the Contractor shall take the steps outlined in paragraphs (b) through (i) and (k) through (n) of this clause: (a) Definitions. As used in this clause— Affected CAS-covered contract or subcontract means a contract or subcontract subject to CAS rules and regulations for which a Contractor or subcontractor— (1) Used one cost accounting practice to estimate costs and a changed cost accounting practice to accumulate and report costs under the contract or subcontract; or (2) Used a noncompliant practice for purposes of estimating or accumulating and reporting costs under the contract or subcontract. Cognizant Federal agency official (CFAO) means the Contracting Officer assigned by the cognizant Federal agency to administer the CAS. Desirable change means a compliant change to a Contractor's established or disclosed cost accounting practices that the CFAO finds is desirable and not detrimental to the Government and is, therefore, not subject to the no increased cost prohibition provisions of CAS-covered contracts and subcontracts affected by the change. Fixed-price contracts and subcontracts means— (1) Fixed-price contracts and subcontracts described at FAR 16.202, 16.203, (except when price adjustments are based on actual costs of labor or material, described at 16.203-1(a)(2)), and 16.207; (2) Fixed-price incentive contracts and subcontracts where the price is not adjusted based on actual costs incurred (FAR Subpart 16.4); (3) Orders issued under indefinite-delivery contracts and subcontracts where final payment is not based on actual costs incurred (FAR Subpart 16.5); and (4) The fixed-hourly rate portion of time-and-materials and labor-hours contracts and subcontracts (FAR Subpart 16.6). Flexibly-pr
Compliance Checklist
- As prescribed in 30.201-4(d)(1), insert the following clause: Administration of Cost Accounting Standards (JUN 2010) For the purpose of administering the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) requirements under this contract, the Contractor shall take the steps outlined in paragraphs (b) through (i) and (k) through (n) of this clause: (a) Definitions.
- Required change means— (1) A change in cost accounting practice that a Contractor is required to make in order to comply with applicable Standards, modifications or interpretations thereto, that subsequently become applicable to existing CAS-covered contracts or subcontracts due to the receipt of another CAS-covered contract or subcontract; or (2) A prospective change to a disclosed or established cost accounting practice when the CFAO determines that the former practice was in compliance with applicable CAS and the change is necessary for the Contractor to remain in compliance.
- If a change in cost accounting practice is implemented without submitting the notice required by this paragraph, the CFAO may determine the change to be a failure to follow paragraph (a)(2) of the clause at FAR 52.230-2, Cost Accounting Standards; paragraph (a)(4) of the clause at FAR 52.230-3, Disclosure and Consistency of Cost Accounting Practices; paragraph (a)(4) of the clause at FAR 52.230-4, Disclosure and Consistency of Cost Accounting Practices—Foreign Concerns; or paragraph (a)(2) of the clause at FAR 52.230-5, Cost Accounting Standards—Educational Institution.
- (2) For any change in cost accounting practice not covered by (b)(1) of this clause that is required in accordance with paragraphs (a)(3) and (a)(4)(i) of the clause at FAR 52.230-2; or paragraphs (a)(3), (a)(4)(i), or (a)(4)(iv) of the clause at FAR 52.230-5; submit a description of the change to the CFAO not less than 60 days (or such other date as may be mutually agreed to by the CFAO and the Contractor) before implementation of the change.
- The Contractor may submit a detailed cost-impact (DCI) proposal in lieu of the requested GDM proposal provided the DCI proposal is in accordance with paragraph (e) or (h) of this clause; (2) A detailed cost-impact (DCI) proposal in accordance with paragraph (e) or (h) of this clause; (3) For any request for a desirable change that is based on the criteria in FAR 30.603-2(b)(3)(ii), the data necessary to demonstrate the required cost savings; and (4) For any request for a desirable change that is based on criteria other than that in FAR 30.603-2(b)(3)(ii), a GDM proposal and any other data necessary for the CFAO to determine if the change is a desirable change.
- (d) For any change in cost accounting practice subject to paragraph (b)(1), (b)(2), or (b)(3) of this clause, the GDM proposal shall— (1) Calculate the cost impact in accordance with paragraph (f) of this clause; (2) Use one or more of the following methods to determine the increase or decrease in cost accumulations: (i) A representative sample of affected CAS-covered contracts and subcontracts.
- (e) For any change in cost accounting practice subject to paragraph (b)(1), (b)(2), or (b)(3) of this clause, the DCI proposal shall— (1) Show the calculation of the cost impact in accordance with paragraph (f) of this clause; (2) Show the estimated increase or decrease in cost accumulations for each affected CAS-covered contract and subcontract unless the CFAO and Contractor agree to include— (i) Only those affected CAS-covered contracts and subcontracts having an estimate to complete exceeding a specified amount; and (ii) An estimate of the total increase or decrease in cost accumulations for all affected CAS-covered contracts and subcontracts, using the results in paragraph (e)(2)(i) of this clause; (3) Use a format acceptable to the CFAO but, as a minimum, include the information in paragraph (d)(3) of this clause; and (4) When requested by the CFAO, identify all affected CAS-covered contracts and subcontracts.
- (f) For GDM and DCI proposals that are subject to the requirements of paragraph (d) or (e) of this clause, calculate the cost impact as follows: (1) The cost impact calculation shall include all affected CAS-covered contracts and subcontracts regardless of their status ( i.e.
- (3) For equitable adjustments for required or desirable changes— (i) Estimated increased cost accumulations are the basis for increasing contract prices, target prices and cost ceilings; and (ii) Estimated decreased cost accumulations are the basis for decreasing contract prices, target prices and cost ceilings.
- (i) For GDM and DCI proposals that are subject to the requirements of paragraph (g) or (h) of this clause, calculate the cost impact as follows: (1) The cost impact calculation shall include all affected CAS-covered contracts and subcontracts regardless of their status ( i.e.
- (j) If the Contractor does not submit the information required by paragraph (b) or (c) of this clause within the specified time, or any extension granted by the CFAO, the CFAO may take one or both of the following actions: (1) Withhold an amount not to exceed 10 percent of each subsequent amount payment to the Contractor's affected CAS-covered contracts, (up to the estimated general dollar magnitude of the cost impact), until such time as the Contractor provides the required information to the CFAO.
- (k) Agree to— (1) Contract modifications to reflect adjustments required in accordance with paragraph (a)(4)(ii) or (a)(5) of the clauses at FAR 52.230-2 and 52.230-5; or with paragraph (a)(3)(i) or (a)(4) of the clauses at FAR 52.230-3 and FAR 52.230-4; and (2) Repay the Government for any aggregate increased cost paid to the Contractor.
- (m) Notify the CFAO in writing of any adjustments required to subcontracts under this contract and agree to an adjustment to this contract price or estimated cost and fee.
- The Contractor shall— (1) Provide this notice within 30 days after the Contractor receives the proposed subcontract adjustments; and (2) Include a proposal for adjusting the higher-tier subcontract or the contract appropriately.
- (n) For subcontracts containing the clause or substance of the clause at FAR 52.230-2, FAR 52.230-3, FAR 52.230-4, or FAR 52.230-5, require the subcontractor to comply with all Standards in effect on the date of award or of final agreement on price, as shown on the subcontractor's signed Certificate of Current Cost or Pricing Data, whichever is earlier.
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
FAR 52.230-6 (Administration of Cost Accounting Standards.) is a federal acquisition regulation clause that may be included in government contracts. It falls under the cost-accounting category.
FAR 52.230-6 is typically required when the contracting officer determines it's applicable to the specific procurement. Check the solicitation's Section I for included clauses.
Whether FAR 52.230-6 flows down depends on the specific clause language and contract type. Review the clause text for flow-down 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.