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FAR 52.243-5 — Changes and Changed Conditions

Contract clause · dated Apr 1984 · prescribed in FAR 43.205(e) · current through FAC 2026-01

In plain English

FAR 52.243-5, Changes and Changed Conditions, is a contract clause prescribed at FAR 43.205(e), 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 43.205(e), insert the following clause:

Prescribing reference: FAR 43.205(e).

The official text, verbatim

FAR 52.243-5 · Apr 1984 current through FAC 2026-01 acquisition.gov eCFR (48 CFR)

As prescribed in 43.205(e), insert the following clause:

Changes and Changed Conditions (Apr 1984)

  • (a) The Contracting Officer may, in writing, order changes in the drawings and specifications within the general scope of the contract.

  • (b) The Contractor shall promptly notify the Contracting Officer, in writing, of subsurface or latent physical conditions differing materially from those indicated in this contract or unknown unusual physical conditions at the site before proceeding with the work.

  • (c) If changes under paragraph (a) or conditions under paragraph (b) increase or decrease the cost of, or time required for performing the work, the Contracting Officer shall make an equitable adjustment (see paragraph (d)) upon submittal of a "proposal for adjustment" (hereafter referred to as proposal) by the Contractor before final payment under the contract.

  • (d) The Contracting Officer shall not make an equitable adjustment under paragraph (b) unless-

    • (1) The Contractor has submitted and the Contracting Officer has received the required written notice; or

    • (2) The Contracting Officer waives the requirement for the written notice.

  • (e) Failure to agree to any adjustment shall be a dispute under the Disputes clause.

(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.