FAR 52.216-19 — Order Limitations

Contract clause · dated Oct 1995 · prescribed in FAR 16.506(b) · current through FAC 2026-01

In plain English

FAR 52.216-19, Order Limitations, is a contract clause prescribed at FAR 16.506(b), most recently dated Oct 1995. The complete official text is reproduced below, verbatim, from GSA's published FAR source files.

Its text contains no sentence requiring insertion into subcontracts; see the flowdown section below for what that does and does not mean.

Does it flow down to subcontracts?

No flowdown mandate found in the clause text

We scanned the full clause text and found no sentence directing the contractor to insert this clause into subcontracts. That is a statement about the text, not legal advice: a prime contractor may still flow terms down contractually, an agency supplement (DFARS, VAAR, …) may add requirements, and clauses listed below (if any) may order this clause into subcontracts from the outside.

Where it's prescribed

As prescribed in 16.506(b), insert a clause substantially the same as follows:

Prescribing reference: FAR 16.506(b).

The official text, verbatim

FAR 52.216-19 · Oct 1995 current through FAC 2026-01 acquisition.gov eCFR (48 CFR)

As prescribed in 16.506(b), insert a clause substantially the same as follows:

Order Limitations (Oct 1995)

  • (a) Minimum order. When the Government requires supplies or services covered by this contract in an amount of less than _____________ [insert dollar figure or quantity], the Government is not obligated to purchase, nor is the Contractor obligated to furnish, those supplies or services under the contract.

  • (b) Maximum order. The Contractor is not obligated to honor-

    • (1) Any order for a single item in excess of _____________ [insert dollar figure or quantity];

    • (2) Any order for a combination of items in excess of ______________ [insert dollar figure or quantity]; or

    • (3) A series of orders from the same ordering office within _____________ days that together call for quantities exceeding the limitation in paragraph (b)(1) or (2) of this section.

  • (c) If this is a requirements contract (i.e., includes the Requirements clause at subsection 52.216-21 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)), the Government is not required to order a part of any one requirement from the Contractor if that requirement exceeds the maximum-order limitations in paragraph (b) of this section.

  • (d) Notwithstanding paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, the Contractor shall honor any order exceeding the maximum order limitations in paragraph (b), unless that order (or orders) is returned to the ordering office within _____ days after issuance, with written notice stating the Contractor’s intent not to ship the item (or items) called for and the reasons. Upon receiving this notice, the Government may acquire the supplies or services from another source.

(End of clause)

The text above is reproduced from GSA's published FAR source files (GSA/GSA-Acquisition-FAR @ da52ccb (2026-03-30)), retrieved 2026-07-17. The official publication at acquisition.gov / eCFR controls if they differ.