FAR 52.216-18 — Ordering
This clause establishes who may place orders under an indefinite-delivery contract and the period during which ordering is authorized. It defines the mechanical boundary of your IDIQ vehicle.
- Clause
- FAR 52.216-18
- Applies to
- Indefinite-delivery contracts (IDIQ, requirements, definite-quantity)
- Flows down to subs
- Yes when subcontracts mirror ordering structure
- Primary risk
- Orders issued outside the authorized period
Key takeaways
- Read the clause as incorporated in your contract — tailoring and alternates change obligations.
- Flowdown obligations are your responsibility; a noncompliant subcontractor is your problem.
- Document compliance contemporaneously; after-the-fact reconstruction rarely satisfies auditors.
- When a clause is unclear, ask the contracting officer in writing before award, not after.
What the clause requires
Only designated government personnel may issue orders, and orders may be placed only during the period specified in the contract, though performance can extend beyond that period if the order itself allows it. Orders must be consistent with the scope of the underlying contract.
How to comply in practice
Track your ordering period expiration separately from the contract's overall period of performance, and confirm every order is placed by an authorized ordering officer before starting work.
Common mistakes
Contractors sometimes perform work directed by a program office contact who lacks ordering authority, or accept an order issued after the ordering period closed. Both create unauthorized commitment exposure.
FAQ
Can orders be placed after the ordering period ends?
No, orders must be placed within the ordering period stated in the contract, though performance can continue afterward.
Who can place an order?
Only personnel specifically authorized in the contract, typically identified as ordering officers.
Does the order need to match the contract scope?
Yes; out-of-scope orders risk being treated as improper sole-source actions.
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