Overview
In the context of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), sections marked as "[Reserved]" (such as 52.215, 52.215-4, and 52.215-7) serve as structural placeholders. They indicate that a provision or clause has been deleted, moved, or is being held for future use to maintain the numerical integrity of the regulation.
Key Rules
- No Regulatory Content: These sections contain no active legal requirements, definitions, or instructions for either the government or the contractor.
- Preservation of Numbering: The "[Reserved]" designation ensures that subsequent sections (like FAR 52.215-5) do not need to be renumbered when a preceding section is removed, which prevents confusion in existing legal references and cross-references.
- Non-Applicability: Because there is no text, these sections cannot be incorporated into a solicitation or contract.
Practical Implications
- Solicitation Review: If a Government solicitation references a section marked as "[Reserved]," it is likely a clerical error or an outdated reference that requires clarification from the Contracting Officer.
- Regulatory History: For researchers and legal experts, a "[Reserved]" section often indicates that the previous content was superseded by newer regulations or moved to a different FAR part to better align with statutory changes.