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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.
52.232-9 Limitation on Withholding of Payments.
As prescribed in 32.111(b)(2), insert a clause substantially as follows, appropriately modified with respect to payment due dates in accordance with agency regulations, in solicitations and contracts when a supply contract, service contract, time-and-materials contract, labor-hour contract, or research and development contract is contemplated that includes two or more terms authorizing the temporary withholding of amounts otherwise payable to the contractor for supplies delivered or services performed:
Limitation on Withholding of Payments (APR 1984)
If more than one clause or Schedule term of this contract authorizes the temporary withholding of amounts otherwise payable to the Contractor for supplies delivered or services performed, the total of the amounts withheld at any one time shall not exceed the greatest amount that may be withheld under any one clause or Schedule term at that time;
provided,
that this limitation shall not apply to—
(a) Withholdings pursuant to any clause relating to wages or hours of employees;
(b) Withholdings not specifically provided for by this contract;
(c) The recovery of overpayments; and
(d) Any other withholding for which the Contracting Officer determines that this limitation is inappropriate.
(End of clause)
[48 FR 42478, Sept. 19, 1983, as amended at 70 FR 43581, July 27, 2005]
32.111(b)
(b) The contracting officer shall insert the following clauses, appropriately modified with respect to payment due dates in accordance with agency regulations:
(1) The clause at 52.232-8, Discounts for Prompt Payment, in solicitations and contracts when a fixed-price supply contract or fixed-price service contract is contemplated.
(2) A clause, substantially the same as the clause at 52.232-9, Limitation on Withholding of Payments, in solicitations and contracts when a supply contract, research and development contract, service contract, time-and-materials contract, or labor-hour contract is contemplated that includes two or more terms authorizing the temporary withholding of amounts otherwise payable to the contractor for supplies delivered or services performed.
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.
RFORFO VersionOverhauled 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.
(b) The contracting officer shall insert the following clauses, appropriately modified with respect to payment due dates in accordance with agency regulations:
(1) The clause at 52.232-8, Discounts for Prompt Payment, in solicitations and contracts when a fixed-price supply contract or fixed-price service contract is contemplated.
(2) A clause, substantially the same as the clause at 52.232-9, Limitation on Withholding of Payments, in solicitations and contracts when a supply contract, research and development contract, service contract, time-and-materials contract, or labor-hour contract is contemplated that includes two or more terms authorizing the temporary withholding of amounts otherwise payable to the contractor for supplies delivered or services performed.
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
52.232-9 Limitation on Withholding of Payments.
eCFR (codified)
RFO (implemented)
2 added, 61 removed
As prescribed in 32.111(b)(2), insert a clause substantially as follows, appropriately modified with respect to payment due dates in accordance with agency regulations, in solicitations and contracts when a supply contract, service contract, time-and-materials contract, labor-hour contract, or research and development contract is contemplated that includes two or more terms authorizing the temporary withholding of amounts otherwise payable to the contractor for supplies delivered or services performed:
As prescribed in 32.111(b)(2), insert the following clause:
Limitation on Withholding of Payments (APR 1984)
Limitation on Withholding of Payments (Apr 1984)
If more than one clause or Schedule term of this contract authorizes the temporary withholding of amounts otherwise payable to the Contractor for supplies delivered or services performed, the total of the amounts withheld at any one time shall not exceed the greatest amount that may be withheld under any one clause or Schedule term at that time;
provided,
that this limitation shall not apply to—
If more than one clause or Schedule term of this contract authorizes the temporary withholding of amounts otherwise payable to the Contractor for supplies delivered or services performed, the total of the amounts withheld at any one time shall not exceed the greatest amount that may be withheld under any one clause or Schedule term at that time; provided , that this limitation shall not apply to-
(a)
(a) Withholdings pursuant to any clause relating to wages or hours of employees;
(a)
(a) Withholdings pursuant to any clause relating to wages or hours of employees;
(b)
(b) Withholdings not specifically provided for by this contract;
(b)
(b) Withholdings not specifically provided for by this contract;
(c)
(c) The recovery of overpayments; and
(c)
(c) The recovery of overpayments; and
(d)
(d) Any other withholding for which the Contracting Officer determines that this limitation is inappropriate.
(d)
(d) Any other withholding for which the Contracting Officer determines that this limitation is inappropriate.
(End of clause)
(End of clause)
15 removed
[48 FR 42478, Sept. 19, 1983, as amended at 70 FR 43581, July 27, 2005]
Prescription
Substantive changes. The RFO prescription differs materially from the eCFR prescription.
eCFR (codified)
RFO (implemented)
Unchanged
52.232-9 Limitation on Withholding of Payments.: Prescription
eCFR (codified)
RFO (implemented)
22 removed
(b)
(b) The contracting officer shall insert the following clauses, appropriately modified with respect to payment due dates in accordance with agency regulations:
(b)
24 removed
(1)
(1) The clause at 52.232-8, Discounts for Prompt Payment, in solicitations and contracts when a fixed-price supply contract or fixed-price service contract is contemplated.
(1)
(2)
(2) A clause, substantially the same as the clause at 52.232-9, Limitation on Withholding of Payments, in solicitations and contracts when a supply contract, research and development contract, service contract, time-and-materials contract, or labor-hour contract is contemplated that includes two or more terms authorizing the temporary withholding of amounts otherwise payable to the contractor for supplies delivered or services performed.
(2)
(2) A clause, substantially the same as the clause at 52.232-9, Limitation on Withholding of Payments, in solicitations and contracts when a supply contract, research and development contract, service contract, time-and-materials contract, or labor-hour contract is contemplated that includes two or more terms authorizing the temporary withholding of amounts otherwise payable to the contractor for supplies delivered or services performed.