FAR 52.236-11 — Use and Possession Prior to Completion

Contract clause · dated Apr 1984 · prescribed in FAR 36.511 · current through FAC 2026-01

In plain English

FAR 52.236-11, Use and Possession Prior to Completion, is a contract clause prescribed at FAR 36.511, most recently dated Apr 1984. 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 36.511 , insert the following clause:

Prescribing reference: FAR 36.511.

The official text, verbatim

FAR 52.236-11 · Apr 1984 current through FAC 2026-01 acquisition.gov eCFR (48 CFR)

As prescribed in 36.511 , insert the following clause:

Use and Possession Prior to Completion (Apr 1984)

  • (a) The Government shall have the right to take possession of or use any completed or partially completed part of the work. Before taking possession of or using any work, the Contracting Officer shall furnish the Contractor a list of items of work remaining to be performed or corrected on those portions of the work that the Government intends to take possession of or use. However, failure of the Contracting Officer to list any item of work shall not relieve the Contractor of responsibility for complying with the terms of the contract. The Government’s possession or use shall not be deemed an acceptance of any work under the contract.

  • (b) While the Government has such possession or use, the Contractor shall be relieved of the responsibility for the loss of or damage to the work resulting from the Government’s possession or use, notwithstanding the terms of the clause in this contract entitled "Permits and Responsibilities." If prior possession or use by the Government delays the progress of the work or causes additional expense to the Contractor, an equitable adjustment shall be made in the contract price or the time of completion, and the contract shall be modified in writing accordingly.

(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.