52.219-14 — Limitations on Subcontracting.
Researched by the BidStride Research Team
What This Clause Requires
FAR 52.219-14 — Limitations on Subcontracting.. This clause is part of the Federal Acquisition Regulation and may be included in government contracts as a solicitation provision or contract clause.
Official Regulation Text
52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting. As prescribed in 19.507(e), insert the following clause: Limitations on Subcontracting (OCT 2022) (a) This clause does not apply to the unrestricted portion of a partial set-aside. (b) Definition. Similarly situated entity, as used in this clause, means a first-tier subcontractor, including an independent contractor, that— (1) Has the same small business program status as that which qualified the prime contractor for the award ( e.g., for a small business set-aside contract, any small business concern, without regard to its socioeconomic status); and (2) Is considered small for the size standard under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code the prime contractor assigned to the subcontract. (c) Applicability. This clause applies only to— (1) Contracts that have been set aside for any of the small business concerns identified in 19.000(a)(3); (2) Part or parts of a multiple-award contract that have been set aside for any of the small business concerns identified in 19.000(a)(3); (3) Contracts that have been awarded on a sole-source basis in accordance with subparts 19.8, 19.13, 19.14, and 19.15; (4) Orders expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold and that are— (i) Set aside for small business concerns under multiple-award contracts, as described in 8.405-5 and 16.505(b)(2)(i)(F); or (ii) Issued directly to small business concerns under multiple-award contracts as described in 19.504(c)(1)(ii); (5) Orders, regardless of dollar value, that are— (i) Set aside in accordance with subparts 19.8, 19.13, 19.14, or 19.15 under multiple-award contracts, as described in 8.405-5 and 16.505(b)(2)(i)(F); or (ii) Issued directly to concerns that qualify for the programs described in subparts 19.8, 19.13, 19.14, or 19.15 under multiple-award contracts, as described in 19.504(c)(1)(ii); and (6) Contracts using the HUBZone price evaluation preference to award to a HUBZone small business concern unless the co
Compliance Checklist
- An independent contractor shall be considered a subcontractor.
- When a contract includes both services and supplies, the 50 percent limitation shall apply only to the service portion of the contract; (2) Supplies (other than procurement from a nonmanufacturer of such supplies), it will not pay more than 50 percent of the amount paid by the Government for contract performance, excluding the cost of materials, to subcontractors that are not similarly situated entities.
- When a contract includes both supplies and services, the 50 percent limitation shall apply only to the supply portion of the contract; (3) General construction, it will not pay more than 85 percent of the amount paid by the Government for contract performance, excluding the cost of materials, to subcontractors that are not similarly situated entities.
- (f) The Contractor shall comply with the limitations on subcontracting as follows: (1) For contracts, in accordance with paragraphs (c)(1), (2), (3) and (6) of this clause— [ Contracting Officer check as appropriate.
- (1) In a joint venture comprised of a small business protégé and its mentor approved by the Small Business Administration, the small business protégé shall perform at least 40 percent of the work performed by the joint venture.
- Work performed by the small business protégé in the joint venture must be more than administrative functions.
- (2) In an 8(a) joint venture, the 8(a) participant(s) shall perform at least 40 percent of the work performed by the joint venture.
- Work performed by the 8(a) participants in the joint venture must be more than administrative functions.
Flow-Down to Subcontractors
Flow-down required
This clause must be included in subcontracts with no subcontractors where the subcontractor will perform work covered by this clause. Typically appears in contract Section Section I.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAR 52.219-14 (Limitations on Subcontracting.) is a federal acquisition regulation clause that may be included in government contracts. It falls under the small-business category.
FAR 52.219-14 is typically required when the contracting officer determines it's applicable to the specific procurement. Check the solicitation's Section I for included clauses.
Whether FAR 52.219-14 flows down depends on the specific clause language and contract type. Review the clause text for flow-down provisions.
This summary is for informational purposes only and reflects the BidStride Research Team's plain-English interpretation of the regulation. It is not legal advice and does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. Always consult the official Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) or Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) text and qualified legal counsel for compliance decisions.