Low RiskFARGeneral

52.248-2Value Engineering—Architect-Engineer.

Researched by the BidStride Research Team

What This Clause Requires

FAR 52.248-2 — Value Engineering—Architect-Engineer.. 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

52.248-2 Value Engineering—Architect-Engineer. As prescribed in 48.201(f), insert the following clause: Value Engineering—Architect-Engineer (MAR 1990) (a) General. The Contractor shall (1) perform value engineering (VE) services and submit progress reports as specified in the Schedule; and (2) submit to the Contracting Officer any resulting value engineering proposals (VEP's). Value engineering activities shall be performed concurrently with, and without delay to, the schedule set forth in the contract. The services shall include VE evaluation and review and study of design documents immediately following completion of the 35 percent design state or at such stages as the Contracting Officer may direct. Each separately priced line item for VE services shall define specifically the scope of work to be accomplished and may include VE studies of items other than design documents. The Contractor shall be paid as the contract specifies for this effort, but shall not share in savings which may result from acceptance and use of VEP's by the Government. (b) Definitions. Life cycle cost, as used in this clause, is the sum of all costs over the useful life of a building, system or product. It includes the cost of design, construction, acquisition, operation, maintenance, and salvage (resale) value, if any. Value engineering, as used in this clause, means an organized effort to analyze the functions of systems, equipment, facilities, services, and supplies for the purpose of achieving the essential functions at the lowest life cycle cost consistent with required performance, reliability, quality, and safety. Value engineering proposal, as used in this clause, means, in connection with an A-E contract, a change proposal developed by employees of the Federal Government or contractor value engineering personnel under contract to an agency to provide value engineering services for the contract or program. (c) Submissions. After award of an architect-engineering contract the contra

Source: eCFR, 48 CFR 52.248-2 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-48/section-52.248-2)

Compliance Checklist

  • The Contractor shall (1) perform value engineering (VE) services and submit progress reports as specified in the Schedule; and (2) submit to the Contracting Officer any resulting value engineering proposals (VEP's).
  • Value engineering activities shall be performed concurrently with, and without delay to, the schedule set forth in the contract.
  • The services shall include VE evaluation and review and study of design documents immediately following completion of the 35 percent design state or at such stages as the Contracting Officer may direct.
  • Each separately priced line item for VE services shall define specifically the scope of work to be accomplished and may include VE studies of items other than design documents.
  • The Contractor shall be paid as the contract specifies for this effort, but shall not share in savings which may result from acceptance and use of VEP's by the Government.
  • Value engineering, as used in this clause, means an organized effort to analyze the functions of systems, equipment, facilities, services, and supplies for the purpose of achieving the essential functions at the lowest life cycle cost consistent with required performance, reliability, quality, and safety.
  • After award of an architect-engineering contract the contractor shall— (1) Provide the Government with a fee breakdown schedule for the VE services (such as criteria review, task team review, and bid package review) included in the contract schedule; (2) Submit, for approval by the Contracting Officer, a list of team members and their respective resumes representing the engineering disciplines required to complete the study effort, and evidence of the team leader's qualifications and engineering discipline.
  • Subsequent changes or substitutions to the approved VE team shall be submitted in writing to the Contracting Officer for approval; and (3) The team leader shall be responsible for prestudy work assembly and shall edit, reproduce, and sign the final report and each VEP.
  • All VEP's, even if submitted earlier as an individual submission, shall be contained in the final report.
  • As a minimum, the contractor shall include the following information in each VEP: (1) A description of the difference between the existing the proposed design, the comparative advantage and disadvantages of each, a justification when an item's function is being altered, the effect of the change on system or facility performance, and any pertinent objective test data.
  • (2) A list and analysis of design criteria or specifications that must be changed if the VEP is accepted.
  • Approved VEP's shall be implemented by bilateral modification to this contract.

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.