In plain English
FAR 52.252-5, Authorized Deviations in Provisions, is a solicitation provision prescribed at FAR 52.107(e), most recently dated Nov 2020. 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
This is a solicitation provision — it applies to offerors when submitting an offer, not to contract performance, so subcontract flowdown is generally not the operative question for it.
Where it's prescribed
As prescribed in 52.107(e), insert the following provision in solicitations that include any FAR or supplemental provision with an authorized deviation. Whenever any FAR or supplemental provision is used with an authorized deviation, the contracting officer shall identify it by the same number, title, and date assigned to the provision when it is used without deviation, include regulation name for any supplemental provision, except that the contracting officer shall insert "(DEVIATION)" after the date of the provision.
Prescribing reference: FAR 52.107(e).
The official text, verbatim
As prescribed in 52.107(e), insert the following provision in solicitations that include any FAR or supplemental provision with an authorized deviation. Whenever any FAR or supplemental provision is used with an authorized deviation, the contracting officer shall identify it by the same number, title, and date assigned to the provision when it is used without deviation, include regulation name for any supplemental provision, except that the contracting officer shall insert "(DEVIATION)" after the date of the provision.
Authorized Deviations in Provisions (Nov 2020)
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(a) The use in this solicitation of any Federal Acquisition Regulation (48 CFR Chapter 1) provision with an authorized deviation is indicated by the addition of "(DEVIATION)" after the date of the provision.
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(b) The use in this solicitation of any ______________ [insert regulation name](48 CFR Chapter______) provision with an authorized deviation is indicated by the addition of "(DEVIATION)" after the name of the regulation.
(End of provision)