Overview
This section defines the purpose of FAR Subpart 52.1, establishing the framework for how federal agencies must use, identify, and modify provisions and clauses within solicitations and contracts.
Key Rules
- Organizational Guidance: Provides the foundational instructions for navigating Part 52, including the numbering system, prescriptions, prefaces, and the FAR matrix.
- Procedural Standards: Dictates the specific procedures for incorporating clauses into documents, whether by reference or in full text.
- Customization Rules: Sets the parameters for identifying modified clauses and the proper application of "alternates."
- Traceability: Explains the derivation of provisions and clauses to ensure users understand their regulatory origins.
Practical Implications
- It serves as the "user manual" for contract specialists to ensure that legal requirements are correctly cited and formatted, reducing the risk of administrative errors in the solicitation process.
- For contractors, it provides the roadmap necessary to interpret clause numbering and understand how specific requirements have been modified for a particular procurement.