FAR 52.219-11 — Special 8(a) Contract Conditions

Contract clause · dated Jan 2017 · prescribed in FAR 19.811-3(a) · current through FAC 2026-01

In plain English

FAR 52.219-11, Special 8(a) Contract Conditions, is a contract clause prescribed at FAR 19.811-3(a), most recently dated Jan 2017. 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 19.811-3(a), insert the following clause:

Prescribing reference: FAR 19.811-3(a).

The official text, verbatim

FAR 52.219-11 · Jan 2017 current through FAC 2026-01 acquisition.gov eCFR (48 CFR)

As prescribed in 19.811-3(a), insert the following clause:

Special 8(a) Contract Conditions (Jan 2017)

The Small Business Administration (SBA) agrees to the following:

  • (a) To furnish the supplies or services set forth in this contract according to the specifications and the terms and conditions hereof by subcontracting with an eligible concern pursuant to the provisions of section 8(a) of the Small Business Act, as amended (15 U.S.C. 637(a)).

  • (b) That in the event SBA does not award a subcontract for all or a part of the work hereunder, this contract may be terminated either in whole or in part without cost to either party.

  • (c) Except for novation agreements, delegate to the _________ [insert name of contracting agency] the responsibility for administering the subcontract to be awarded hereunder with complete authority to take any action on behalf of the Government under the terms and conditions of the subcontract; provided, however, that the _________ [insert name of contracting agency] shall give advance notice to the SBA before it issues a final notice terminating the right of a subcontractor to proceed with further performance, either in whole or in part, under the subcontract for default or for the convenience of the Government.

  • (d) That payments to be made under any subcontract awarded under this contract will be made directly to the subcontractor by the ___________ [insert name of contracting agency].

  • (e) That the subcontractor awarded a subcontract hereunder shall have the right of appeal from decisions of the Contracting Officer cognizable under the "Disputes" clause of said subcontract.

  • (f) To notify the _________ [insert name of contracting agency] Contracting Officer immediately upon notification by the subcontractor that the owner or owners upon whom 8(a) eligibility was based plan to relinquish ownership or control of the concern.

(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.