FAR 52.242-17 — Government Delay of Work

Contract clause · dated Apr 1984 · prescribed in FAR 42.130 · current through FAC 2026-01

In plain English

FAR 52.242-17, Government Delay of Work, is a contract clause prescribed at FAR 42.130, 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 42.1305(c), insert the following clause:

Prescribing reference: FAR 42.130.

The official text, verbatim

FAR 52.242-17 · Apr 1984 current through FAC 2026-01 acquisition.gov eCFR (48 CFR)

As prescribed in 42.1305(c), insert the following clause:

Government Delay of Work (Apr 1984)

  • (a) If the performance of all or any part of the work of this contract is delayed or interrupted (1)by an act of the Contracting Officer in the administration of this contract that is not expressly or impliedly authorized by this contract, or (2)by a failure of the Contracting Officer to act within the time specified in this contract, or within a reasonable time if not specified, an adjustment (excluding profit) shall be made for any increase in the cost of performance of this contract caused by the delay or interruption and the contract shall be modified in writing accordingly. Adjustment shall also be made in the delivery or performance dates and any other contractual term or condition affected by the delay or interruption. However, no adjustment shall be made under this clause for any delay or interruption to the extent that performance would have been delayed or interrupted by any other cause, including the fault or negligence of the Contractor, or for which an adjustment is provided or excluded under any other term or condition of this contract.

  • (b) A claim under this clause shall not be allowed-

    • (1) For any costs incurred more than 20 days before the Contractor shall have notified the Contracting Officer in writing of the act or failure to act involved; and

    • (2) Unless the claim, in an amount stated, is asserted in writing as soon as practicable after the termination of the delay or interruption, but not later than the day of final payment under the contract.

(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.