FAR 52.244-5 — Competition in Subcontracting

Contract clause · dated Aug 2024 · prescribed in FAR 44.204(c) · current through FAC 2026-01

In plain English

FAR 52.244-5, Competition in Subcontracting, is a contract clause prescribed at FAR 44.204(c), most recently dated Aug 2024. 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 44.204(c), insert the following clause:

Prescribing reference: FAR 44.204(c).

The official text, verbatim

FAR 52.244-5 · Aug 2024 current through FAC 2026-01 acquisition.gov eCFR (48 CFR)

As prescribed in 44.204(c), insert the following clause:

Competition in Subcontracting (Aug 2024)

  • (a) The Contractor shall select subcontractors (including suppliers) on a competitive basis to the maximum practical extent consistent with the objectives and requirements of the contract.

  • (b) If the Contractor is an approved mentor under the DoD Mentor-Protégé Program (10 U.S.C. 4902), the Contractor may award subcontracts under this contract on a noncompetitive basis to its protégés.

(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.