In plain English
FAR 52.253-1, Computer Generated Forms, is a contract clause prescribed at FAR 53.111, most recently dated Jan 1991. 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 FAR 53.111 , insert the following clause:
Prescribing reference: FAR 53.111.
The official text, verbatim
As prescribed in FAR 53.111 , insert the following clause:
Computer Generated Forms (Jan 1991)
-
(a) Any data required to be submitted on a Standard or Optional Form prescribed by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) may be submitted on a computer generated version of the form, provided there is no change to the name, content, or sequence of the data elements on the form, and provided the form carries the Standard or Optional Form number and edition date.
-
(b) Unless prohibited by agency regulations, any data required to be submitted on an agency unique form prescribed by an agency supplement to the FAR may be submitted on a computer generated version of the form provided there is no change to the name, content, or sequence of the data elements on the form and provided the form carries the agency form number and edition date.
-
(c) If the Contractor submits a computer generated version of a form that is different than the required form, then the rights and obligations of the parties will be determined based on the content of the required form.
(End of clause)