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52.243-5Changes and Changed Conditions.

Researched by the BidStride Research Team

What This Clause Requires

FAR 52.243-5 — Changes and Changed Conditions.. 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

52.243-5 Changes and Changed Conditions. As prescribed in 43.205(e), insert the following clause: Changes and Changed Conditions (APR 1984) (a) The Contracting Officer may, in writing, order changes in the drawings and specifications within the general scope of the contract. (b) The Contractor shall promptly notify the Contracting Officer, in writing, of subsurface or latent physical conditions differing materially from those indicated in this contract or unknown unusual physical conditions at the site before proceeding with the work. (c) If changes under paragraph (a) or conditions under paragraph (b) increase or decrease the cost of, or time required for performing the work, the Contracting Officer shall make an equitable adjustment (see paragraph (d)) upon submittal of a proposal for adjustment (hereafter referred to as proposal) by the Contractor before final payment under the contract. (d) The Contracting Officer shall not make an equitable adjustment under paragraph (b) unless— (1) The Contractor has submitted and the Contracting Officer has received the required written notice; or (2) The Contracting Officer waives the requirement for the written notice. (e) Failure to agree to any adjustment shall be a dispute under the Disputes clause. (End of clause) [48 FR 42478, Sept. 19, 1983, as amended at 60 FR 34761, July 3, 1995]

Source: eCFR, 48 CFR 52.243-5 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-48/section-52.243-5)

Compliance Checklist

  • (b) The Contractor shall promptly notify the Contracting Officer, in writing, of subsurface or latent physical conditions differing materially from those indicated in this contract or unknown unusual physical conditions at the site before proceeding with the work.
  • (c) If changes under paragraph (a) or conditions under paragraph (b) increase or decrease the cost of, or time required for performing the work, the Contracting Officer shall make an equitable adjustment (see paragraph (d)) upon submittal of a proposal for adjustment (hereafter referred to as proposal) by the Contractor before final payment under the contract.
  • (d) The Contracting Officer shall not make an equitable adjustment under paragraph (b) unless— (1) The Contractor has submitted and the Contracting Officer has received the required written notice; or (2) The Contracting Officer waives the requirement for the written notice.
  • (e) Failure to agree to any adjustment shall be a dispute under the Disputes clause.

Flow-Down to Subcontractors

No flow-down required

This clause applies only to the prime contract and does not need to be flowed down to subcontractors.

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.