RFO
RFO Version Available
The Revolutionary FAR Overhaul has published a revised version of this clause. The RFO version supersedes the eCFR text below for contracts using the RFO model; see the RFO deviation for applicability.
View RFO version52.216-23 Execution and Commencement of Work. As prescribed in 16.603-4(b)(1), insert the following clause in solicitations and contracts when a letter contract is contemplated, except that it may be omitted from letter contracts awarded on SF 26: Execution and Commencement of Work (APR 1984) The Contractor shall indicate acceptance of this letter contract by signing three copies of the contract and returning them to the Contracting Officer not later than ___ [ insert date ]. Upon acceptance by both parties, the Contractor shall proceed with performance of the work, including purchase of necessary materials. (End of clause)
16.603-4(b)
(b) In addition, the contracting officer shall insert the following clauses in solicitations and contracts when a letter contract is contemplated:
(1) The clause at 52.216-23, Execution and Commencement of Work, except that this clause may be omitted from letter contracts awarded on SF 26;
(2) The clause at 52.216-24, Limitation of Government Liability, with dollar amounts completed in a manner consistent with 16.603-2(d); and
(3) The clause at 52.216-25, Contract Definitization, with its paragraph (b) completed in a manner consistent with 16.603-2(c). If at the time of entering into the letter contract, the contracting officer knows that the definitive contract will be based on adequate price competition or will otherwise meet the criteria of 15.403-1 for not requiring submission of certified cost or pricing data, the words "and certified cost or pricing data in accordance with FAR 15.408, Table 15-1 supporting its proposal" may be deleted from paragraph (a) of the clause. If the letter contract is being awarded on the basis of price competition, the contracting officer shall use the clause with its Alternate I.
(1) The clause at 52.216-23, Execution and Commencement of Work, except that this clause may be omitted from letter contracts awarded on SF 26;
(2) The clause at 52.216-24, Limitation of Government Liability, with dollar amounts completed in a manner consistent with 16.603-2(d); and
(3) The clause at 52.216-25, Contract Definitization, with its paragraph (b) completed in a manner consistent with 16.603-2(c). If at the time of entering into the letter contract, the contracting officer knows that the definitive contract will be based on adequate price competition or will otherwise meet the criteria of 15.403-1 for not requiring submission of certified cost or pricing data, the words "and certified cost or pricing data in accordance with FAR 15.408, Table 15-1 supporting its proposal" may be deleted from paragraph (a) of the clause. If the letter contract is being awarded on the basis of price competition, the contracting officer shall use the clause with its Alternate I.
DFARS Supplementary Guidance
216.603-4
(b)(2) See 217.7405
(a) for additional guidance regarding use of the clause at FAR 52.216-24, Limitation of Government Liability.
(3) Use the clause at 252.217-7027, Contract Definitization, in accordance with its prescription 217.7406 (b), instead of the clause at FAR 52.216-25, Contract Definitization.
(a) for additional guidance regarding use of the clause at FAR 52.216-24, Limitation of Government Liability.
(3) Use the clause at 252.217-7027, Contract Definitization, in accordance with its prescription 217.7406 (b), instead of the clause at FAR 52.216-25, Contract Definitization.
Prescription data sourced from eCFR as of 2026-06-10 03:16 UTC.
Cross-references within the prescription are not resolved automatically.
Regulatory Stack
The layers of regulation that govern this clause, from the FAR prescription through agency-specific supplements and any active deviations.
RFO
RFO Version
Overhauled clause text
The Revolutionary FAR Overhaul publishes a revised version of this clause. See the RFO Version tab for the controlling authority under the RFO model.
FAR
FAR Prescription
16.603-4(b)
(b) In addition, the contracting officer shall insert the following clauses in solicitations and contracts when a letter contract is contemplated:
(1) The clause at 52.216-23, Execution and Commencement of Work, except that this clause may be omitted from letter contracts awarded on SF 26;
(2) The clause at 52.216-24, Limitation of Government Liability, with dollar amounts completed in a manner consistent with 16.603-2(d); and
(3) The clause at 52.216-25, Contract Definitization, with its paragraph (b) completed in a manner consistent with 16.603-2(c). If at the time of entering into the letter contract, the contracting officer knows that the definitive contract will be based on adequate price competition or will otherwise meet the criteria of 15.403-1 for not requiring submission of certified cost or pricing data, the words "and certified cost or pricing data in accordance with FAR 15.408, Table 15-1 supporting its proposal" may be deleted from paragraph (a) of the clause. If the letter contract is being awarded on the basis of price competition, the contracting officer shall use the clause with its Alternate I.
(1) The clause at 52.216-23, Execution and Commencement of Work, except that this clause may be omitted from letter contracts awarded on SF 26;
(2) The clause at 52.216-24, Limitation of Government Liability, with dollar amounts completed in a manner consistent with 16.603-2(d); and
(3) The clause at 52.216-25, Contract Definitization, with its paragraph (b) completed in a manner consistent with 16.603-2(c). If at the time of entering into the letter contract, the contracting officer knows that the definitive contract will be based on adequate price competition or will otherwise meet the criteria of 15.403-1 for not requiring submission of certified cost or pricing data, the words "and certified cost or pricing data in accordance with FAR 15.408, Table 15-1 supporting its proposal" may be deleted from paragraph (a) of the clause. If the letter contract is being awarded on the basis of price competition, the contracting officer shall use the clause with its Alternate I.
DFARS
DFARS Supplement (eCFR)
216.603-4
(b)(2) See 217.7405
(a) for additional guidance regarding use of the clause at FAR 52.216-24, Limitation of Government Liability.
(3) Use the clause at 252.217-7027, Contract Definitization, in accordance with its prescription 217.7406 (b), instead of the clause at FAR 52.216-25, Contract Definitization.
(a) for additional guidance regarding use of the clause at FAR 52.216-24, Limitation of Government Liability.
(3) Use the clause at 252.217-7027, Contract Definitization, in accordance with its prescription 217.7406 (b), instead of the clause at FAR 52.216-25, Contract Definitization.
Version History
Version history is sourced from the codified eCFR. Changes published only as class deviations or by the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul do not appear here until they are incorporated into the eCFR. For RFO-driven changes see the RFO Version tab and any active deviations cited above.
No version history available from eCFR.
RFO Version
Comparison of the codified eCFR text against the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul revision. Highlights show additions (green) and deletions (red, struck through).
Clause Text
Substantive changes. The RFO version differs materially from the eCFR text.
eCFR (codified)
RFO (implemented)
Unchanged
52.216-23 Execution and Commencement of Work.
eCFR (codified)
RFO (implemented)
1 added, 24 removed
As prescribed in 16.603-4(b)(1), insert the following clause in solicitations and contracts when a letter contract is contemplated, except that it may be omitted from letter contracts awarded on SF 26:
As prescribed in 16.603-4(b)(1), insert the following clause:
1 added, 1 removed
The Contractor shall indicate acceptance of this letter contract by signing three copies of the contract and returning them to the Contracting Officer not later than ___ [insert date]. Upon acceptance by both parties, the Contractor shall proceed with performance of the work, including purchase of necessary materials.
The Contractor shall indicate acceptance of this letter contract by signing three copies of the contract and returning them to the Contracting Officer not later than _______________ [insert date]. Upon acceptance by both parties, the Contractor shall proceed with performance of the work, including purchase of necessary materials.
Prescription
Substantive changes. The RFO prescription differs materially from the eCFR prescription.
eCFR (codified)
RFO (implemented)
Unchanged
52.216-23 Execution and Commencement of Work.: Prescription
eCFR (codified)
RFO (implemented)
21 removed
(b)
(b) In addition, the contracting officer shall insert the following clauses in solicitations and contracts when a letter contract is contemplated:
(b)
20 removed
(2)
(2) The clause at 52.216-24, Limitation of Government Liability, with dollar amounts completed in a manner consistent with 16.603-2(d); and
(2)
112 removed
(3)
(3) The clause at 52.216-25, Contract Definitization, with its paragraph (b) completed in a manner consistent with 16.603-2(c). If at the time of entering into the letter contract, the contracting officer knows that the definitive contract will be based on adequate price competition or will otherwise meet the criteria of 15.403-1 for not requiring submission of certified cost or pricing data, the words "and certified cost or pricing data in accordance with FAR 15.408, Table 15-1 supporting its proposal" may be deleted from paragraph (a) of the clause. If the letter contract is being awarded on the basis of price competition, the contracting officer shall use the clause with its Alternate I.
(3)
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