FAR 49.502 Termination for convenience of the Government

Section Federal Acquisition Regulation

Facts

Citation
FAR 49.502
Type
Section
Last amended
72 FR 27364 Effective Jun 14, 2007
Proposed changes
1
Text as of
FAC 2026-01
Official text
acquisition.gov

Text from acquisition.gov. Federal Register history from the Federal Register's records of the rules that amended this section.

Text

(a) Fixed-price contracts that do not exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (short form)-

(1) General use. The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.249-1, Termination for Convenience of the Government (Fixed-Price) (Short Form), in solicitations and contracts when a fixed-price contract is contemplated and the contract amount is not expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, except-

(i) If use of the clause at 52.249-4, Termination for Convenience of the Government (Services) (Short Form) is appropriate,

(ii) In contracts for research and development work with an educational or nonprofit institution on a no-profit basis,

(iii) In contracts for architect-engineer services, or

(iv) If one of the clauses prescribed or cited at 49.505(a) or (c), is appropriate.

(2) Dismantling and demolition. If the contract is for dismantling, demolition, or removal of improvements, the contracting officer shall use the clause with its AlternateI.

(b) Fixed-price contracts that exceed the simplified acquisition threshold-

(1)

(i) General use. The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.249-2, Termination for Convenience of the Government (Fixed-Price), in solicitations and contracts when a fixed-price contract is contemplated and the contract amount is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold except in contracts for -

(A) Dismantling and demolition,

(B) Research and development work with an educational or nonprofit institution on a no-profit basis, or

(C) Architect-engineer services; it shall not be used if the clause at 52.249-4, Termination for Convenience of the Government (Services) (Short Form), is appropriate (see 49.502(c)), or one of the clauses prescribed or cited at 49.505(a) or (c), is appropriate.

(2) Construction. If the contract is for construction, the contracting officer shall use the clause with its AlternateI.

(i) Partial payments. If the contract is with an agency of the U.S. Government or with State, local, or foreign governments or their agencies, and if the contracting officer determines that the requirement to pay interest on excess partial payments is inappropriate, the contracting officer shall use the clause with its AlternateII. In such contracts for construction, the contracting officer shall use the clause with its AlternateIII.

(ii) Dismantling and demolition. The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.249-3, Termination for Convenience of the Government (Dismantling, Demolition, or Removal of Improvements) in solicitations and contracts for dismantling, demolition, or removal of improvements, when a fixed-price contract is contemplated and the contract amount is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. If the contract is with an agency of the U.S. Government or with State, local, or foreign governments or their agencies, and if the contracting officer determines that the requirement to pay interest on excess partial payments is inappropriate, the contracting officer shall use the clause with its AlternateI.

(c) Service contracts (short form). The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.249-4, Termination for Convenience of the Government (Services) (Short Form), in solicitations and contracts for services, regardless of value, when a fixed-price contract is contemplated and the contracting officer determines that because of the kind of services required, the successful offeror will not incur substantial charges in preparation for and in carrying out the contract, and would, if terminated for the convenience of the Government, limit termination settlement charges to services rendered before the date of termination. Examples of services where this clause may be appropriate are contracts for rental of unreserved parking space, laundry and dry cleaning, etc.

(d) Research and development contracts. The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.249-5, Termination for the Convenience of the Government (Educational and Other Nonprofit Institutions), in solicitations and contracts when either a fixed-price or cost-reimbursement contract is contemplated for research and development work with an educational or nonprofit institution on a nonprofit or no-fee basis.

(e) Subcontracts-

(1) General use. The prime contractor may find the clause at 52.249-1, Termination for Convenience of the Government (Fixed-Price) (Short Form), or at 52.249-2, Termination for Convenience of the Government (Fixed-Price), as appropriate, suitable for use in fixed-price subcontracts, except as noted in paragraph (e)(2) of this section; provided, that the relationship between the contractor and subcontractor is clearly indicated. Inapplicable conditions (e.g., paragraph (d)) in 52.249-2 should be deleted and the periods reduced for submitting the subcontractor’s termination settlement proposal (*e.g.,*6 months), and for requesting an equitable price adjustment (*e.g.,*45 days).

(2) Research and development. The prime contractor may find the clause at 52.249-5, Termination for the Convenience of the Government (Educational and Other Nonprofit Institutions), suitable for use in subcontracts placed with educational or nonprofit institutions on a no-profit or no-fee basis; provided, that the relationship between the contractor and subcontractor is clearly indicated. Inapplicable conditions (e.g., paragraph (h)) should be deleted, the period for submitting the subcontractor’s termination settlement proposal should be reduced (*e.g.,*6 months), the subcontract should be placed on a no-profit or no-fee basis, and the subcontract should incorporate or be negotiated on the basis of the cost principles in part 31 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

Federal Register history

Final rule Published Effective
Federal Acquisition Regulation; FAR Case 2004-025, Government Property 72 FR 27364 · FAC 2005-17
Federal Acquisition Regulation; FAR Case 2004-033, Inflation Adjustment of Acquisition-Related Thresholds 71 FR 57363 · FAC 2005-13

Proposed changes

Proposed rule Published Comments
Federal Acquisition Regulation: Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul Parts 3 and 49 91 FR 37698 · FAR Case 2026-007, Docket No. FAR-2026-0007, Sequence No. 1 Closed Jul 23, 2026No final rule found

Sections cited

  • FAR 52.249-1 Termination for Convenience of the Government (Fixed-Price) (Short Form)
  • FAR 52.249-4 Termination for Convenience of the Government (Services) (Short Form)
  • FAR 49.505(a) Other termination clauses
  • FAR 52.249-2 Termination for Convenience of the Government (Fixed-Price)
  • FAR 52.249-3 Termination for Convenience of the Government (Dismantling, Demolition, or Removal of Improvements)
  • FAR 52.249-5 Termination for Convenience of the Government (Educational and Other Nonprofit Institutions)
  • FAR Part 31 Contract Cost Principles and Procedures

Quick answers

What is FAR 49.502?

FAR 49.502 is a section of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, titled "Termination for convenience of the Government".

When was FAR 49.502 last changed?

The most recent final rule on record is "Federal Acquisition Regulation; FAR Case 2004-025, Government Property" (72 FR 27364), published May 15, 2007 and effective Jun 14, 2007.

Are changes to FAR 49.502 proposed?

One proposed change has no final rule yet.

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