Regulations last checked for updates: Sep 29, 2023

Title 48 - Federal Acquisition Regulations System last revised: Sep 26, 2023
Table of Contents

32.000 - 32.000 Scope of part.

32.001 - 32.001 Definitions.

32.002 - 32.002 Applicability of subparts.

32.003 - 32.003 Simplified acquisition procedures financing.

32.004 - 32.004 Contract performance in foreign countries.

32.005 - 32.005 Consideration for contract financing.

32.006 - 32.006 Reduction or suspension of contract payments upon finding of fraud.

32.006–1 - 32.006-1 General.

32.006–2 - 32.006-2 Definition.

32.006–3 - 32.006-3 Responsibilities.

32.006–4 - 32.006-4 Procedures.

32.006–5 - 32.006-5 Reporting.

32.007 - 32.007 Contract financing payments.

32.008 - 32.008 Notification of overpayment.

32.009 - 32.009 Providing accelerated payments to small business contractors and to prime contractors that subcontract with a small business concern.

32.009–1 - 32.009-1 General.

32.009–2 - 32.009-2 Contract clause.

Subpart 32.1 [32.100 - 32.114] - Subpart 32.1—Financing for Other Than a Commercial Purchase

Subpart 32.2 [32.200 - 32.207] - Subpart 32.2—Commercial Product and Commercial Service Purchase Financing

Subpart 32.3 [32.300 - 32.306] - Subpart 32.3—Loan Guarantees for Defense Production

Subpart 32.4 [32.400 - 32.412] - Subpart 32.4—Advance Payments for Other Than Commercial Acquisitions

Subpart 32.5 [32.500 - 32.504] - Subpart 32.5—Progress Payments Based on Costs

Subpart 32.6 [32.600 - 32.611] - Subpart 32.6—Contract Debts

Subpart 32.7 [32.700 - 32.706–3] - Subpart 32.7—Contract Funding

Subpart 32.8 [32.800 - 32.806] - Subpart 32.8—Assignment of Claims

Subpart 32.9 [32.900 - 32.909] - Subpart 32.9—Prompt Payment

Subpart 32.10 [32.1000 - 32.1010] - Subpart 32.10—Performance-Based Payments

Subpart 32.11 [32.1100 - 32.1110] - Subpart 32.11—Electronic Funds Transfer

32.000 - 32.000 Scope of part.

This part prescribes policies and procedures for contract financing and other payment matters. This part addresses—

(a) Payment methods, including partial payments and progress payments based on percentage or stage of completion;

(b) Loan guarantees, advance payments, and progress payments based on costs;

(c) Administration of debts to the Government arising out of contracts;

(d) Contract funding, including the use of contract clauses limiting costs or funds;

(e) Assignment of claims to aid in private financing;

(f) Selected payment clauses;

(g) Financing of purchases of commercial products and commercial services;

(h) Performance-based payments; and

(i) Electronic funds transfer payments.

[48 FR 42328, Sept. 19, 1983, as amended at 60 FR 49710, Sept. 26, 1995; 61 FR 45772, Aug. 29, 1996; 67 FR 13054, Mar. 20, 2002; 86 FR 61029, Nov. 4, 2021]
32.001 - 32.001 Definitions.

As used in this part—

Commercial interim payment means any payment that is not a commercial advance payment or a delivery payment. These payments are contract financing payments for prompt payment purposes (i.e., not subject to the interest penalty provisions of the Prompt Payment Act in accordance with subpart 32.9). A commercial interim payment is given to the contractor after some work has been done, whereas a commercial advance payment is given to the contractor when no work has been done.

Contract action means an action resulting in a contract, as defined in subpart 2.1, including actions for additional supplies or services outside the existing contract scope, but not including actions that are within the scope and under the terms of the existing contract, such as contract modifications issued pursuant to the Changes clause, or funding and other administrative changes.

Contract financing payment means an authorized Government disbursement of monies to a contractor prior to acceptance of supplies or services by the Government.

(1) Contract financing payments include—

(i) Advance payments;

(ii) Performance-based payments;

(iii) Commercial advance and interim payments;

(iv) Progress payments based on cost under the clause at 52.232–16, Progress Payments;

(v) Progress payments based on a percentage or stage of completion (see 32.102(e)), except those made under the clause at 52.232–5, Payments Under Fixed-Price Construction Contracts, or the clause at 52.232–10, Payments Under Fixed-Price Architect-Engineer Contracts; and

(vi) Interim payments under a cost reimbursement contract, except for a cost reimbursement contract for services when Alternate I of the clause at 52.232–25, Prompt Payment, is used.

(2) Contract financing payments do not include—

(i) Invoice payments;

(ii) Payments for partial deliveries; or

(iii) Lease and rental payments.

Customary contract financing means that financing deemed by an agency to be available for routine use by contracting officers. Most customary contract financing arrangements should be usable by contracting officers without specific reviews or approvals by higher management.

Delivery payment means a payment for accepted supplies or services, including payments for accepted partial deliveries. Commercial financing payments are liquidated by deduction from these payments. Delivery payments are invoice payments for prompt payment purposes.

Designated billing office means the office or person (governmental or nongovernmental) designated in the contract where the contractor first submits invoices and contract financing requests. The contract might designate different offices to receive invoices and contract financing requests. The designated billing office might be—

(1) The Government disbursing office;

(2) The contract administration office;

(3) The office accepting the supplies delivered or services performed by the contractor;

(4) The contract audit office; or

(5) A nongovernmental agent.

Designated payment office means the office designated in the contract to make invoice payments or contract financing payments. Normally, this will be the Government disbursing office.

Due date means the date on which payment should be made.

Invoice payment means a Government disbursement of monies to a contractor under a contract or other authorization for supplies or services accepted by the Government.

(1) Invoice payments include—

(i) Payments for partial deliveries that have been accepted by the Government;

(ii) Final cost or fee payments where amounts owed have been settled between the Government and the contractor;

(iii) For purposes of subpart 32.9 only, all payments made under the clause at 52.232–5, Payments Under Fixed-Price Construction Contracts, and the clause at 52.232–10, Payments Under Fixed-Price Architect-Engineer Contracts; and

(iv) Interim payments under a cost-reimbursement contract for services when Alternate I of the clause at 52.232–25, Prompt Payment, is used.

(2) Invoice payments do not include contract financing payments.

Liquidate means to decrease a payment for an accepted supply item or service under a contract for the purpose of recouping financing payments previously paid to the contractor.

Unusual contract financing means any financing not deemed customary contract financing by the agency. Unusual contract financing is financing that is legal and proper under applicable laws, but that the agency has not authorized contracting officers to use without specific reviews or approvals by higher management.

[52 FR 30077, Aug. 12, 1987, as amended at 60 FR 49710, Sept. 26, 1995; 66 FR 2131, Jan. 10, 2001; 66 FR 65354, Dec. 18, 2001; 67 FR 13054, Mar. 20, 2002; 74 FR 28431, June 15, 2009]
32.002 - 32.002 Applicability of subparts.

(a) The following sections and subparts of this part are applicable to all purchases subject to part 32:

(1) Sections 32.000 through 32.009.

(2) Subpart 32.3, Loan Guarantees for Defense Production.

(3) Subpart 32.6, Contract Debts.

(4) Subpart 32.7, Contract Funding.

(5) Subpart 32.8, Assignment of Claims.

(6) Subpart 32.9, Prompt Payment.

(7) Subpart 32.11, Electronic Funds Transfer.

(b) Subpart 32.2, Commercial Product and Commercial Service Purchase Financing, is applicable only to purchases of commercial products and commercial services under authority of part 12.

(c) The following subparts of this part are applicable to all purchases made under any authority other than part 12:

(1) Subpart 32.1, Financing for Other Than a Commercial Purchase.

(2) Subpart 32.4, Advance Payments for Other Than Commercial Acquisitions .

(3) Subpart 32.5, Progress Payments Based on Costs.

(4) Subpart 32.10, Performance-Based Payments.

[60 FR 49710, Sept. 26, 1995, as amended at 61 FR 45772, Aug. 29, 1996; 78 FR 70479, Nov. 25, 2013; 86 FR 61029, Nov. 4, 2021]
32.003 - 32.003 Simplified acquisition procedures financing.

Unless agency regulations otherwise permit, contract financing shall not be provided for purchases made under the authority of part 13.

[60 FR 49710, Sept. 26, 1995]
32.004 - 32.004 Contract performance in foreign countries.

The enforceability of contract provisions for security of Government financing in a foreign jurisdiction is dependent upon local law and procedure. Prior to providing contract financing where foreign jurisdictions may become involved, the contracting officer shall ensure the Government's security is enforceable. This may require the provision of additional or different security than that normally provided for in the standard contract clauses.

[60 FR 49710, Sept. 26, 1995]
32.005 - 32.005 Consideration for contract financing.

(a) Requirement. When a contract financing clause is included at the inception of a contract, there shall be no separate consideration for the contract financing clause. The value of the contract financing to the contractor is expected to be reflected in either

(1) A bid or negotiated price that will be lower than such price would have been in the absence of the contract financing, or

(2) Contract terms and conditions, other than price, that are more beneficial to the Government than they would have been in the absence of the contract financing. Adequate new consideration is required for changes to, or the addition of, contract financing after award.

(b) Amount of new consideration. The contractor may provide new consideration by monetary or nonmonetary means, provided the value is adequate. The fair and reasonable consideration should approximate the amount by which the price would have been less had the contract financing terms been contained in the initial contract. In the absence of definite information on this point, the contracting officer should apply the following criteria in evaluating whether the proposed new consideration is adequate:

(1) The value to the contractor of the anticipated amount and duration of the contract financing at the imputed financial costs of the equivalent working capital.

(2) The estimated profit rate to be earned through contract performance.

(c) Interest. Except as provided in subpart 32.4, Advance Payments for Other Than Commercial Acquisitions, the contract shall not provide for any other type of specific charges, such as interest, for contract financing.

[60 FR 49710, Sept. 26, 1995, as amended at 86 FR 61029, Nov. 4, 2021]
32.006 - 32.006 Reduction or suspension of contract payments upon finding of fraud.
32.006–1 - 32.006-1 General.

(a) Under 10 U.S.C. 3806(j), the statutory authority implemented by this section is available to the Department of Defense and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; this statutory authority is not available to the United States Coast Guard. Under 41 U.S.C. 4506,this.

(b) 10 U.S.C. 3806(c)and 41 U.S.C. 4506 provide for a reduction or suspension of further payments to a contractor when the agency head determines there is substantial evidence that the contractor's request for advance, partial, or progress payments is based on fraud. This authority does not apply to commercial interim payments under subpart 32.2, or performance-based payments under subpart 32.10.

(c) The agency head may not delegate his or her responsibilities under these statutes below Level IV of the Executive Schedule.

(d) Authority to reduce or suspend payments under these statutes is in addition to other Government rights, remedies, and procedures.

(e) In accordance with these statutes, agency head determinations and decisions under this section may be made for an individual contract or any group of contracts affected by the fraud.

[60 FR 49728, Sept. 26, 1995, as amended at 72 FR 46363, Aug. 17, 2007; 79 FR 24211, Apr. 29, 2014, as amended at 87 FR 73899, Dec. 1, 2022]
32.006–2 - 32.006-2 Definition.

Remedy coordination official, as used in this section, means the person or entity in the agency who coordinates within that agency the administration of criminal, civil, administrative, and contractual remedies resulting from investigations of fraud or corruption related to procurement activities. (See 10 U.S.C. 3806(a) and 41 U.S.C. 4506(a).)

[60 FR 49729, Sept. 26, 1995, as amended at 66 FR 2132, Jan. 10, 2001; 72 FR 46363, Aug. 17, 2007; 79 FR 24211, Apr. 29, 2014; 87 FR 73899, Dec. 1, 2022]
32.006–3 - 32.006-3 Responsibilities.

(a) Agencies shall establish appropriate procedures to implement the policies and procedures of this section.

(b) Government personnel shall report suspected fraud related to advance, partial, or progress payments in accordance with agency regulations.

[60 FR 49729, Sept. 26, 1995]
32.006–4 - 32.006-4 Procedures.

(a) In any case in which an agency's remedy coordination official finds substantial evidence that a contractor's request for advance, partial, or progress payments under a contract awarded by that agency is based on fraud, the remedy coordination official shall recommend that the agency head reduce or suspend further payments to the contractor. The remedy coordination official shall submit to the agency head a written report setting forth the remedy coordination official's findings that support each recommendation.

(b) Upon receiving a recommendation from the remedy coordination official under paragraph (a) of this subsection, the agency head shall determine whether substantial evidence exists that the request for payment under a contract is based on fraud.

(c) If the agency head determines that substantial evidence exists, the agency head may reduce or suspend further payments to the contractor under the affected contract(s). Such reduction or suspension shall be reasonably commensurate with the anticipated loss to the Government resulting from the fraud.

(d) In determining whether to reduce or suspend further payment(s), as a minimum, the agency head shall consider—

(1) A recommendation from investigating officers that disclosure of the allegations of fraud to the contractor may compromise an ongoing investigation;

(2) The anticipated loss to the Government as a result of the fraud;

(3) The contractor's overall financial condition and ability to continue performance if payments are reduced or suspended;

(4) The contractor's essentiality to the national defense, or to the execution of the agency's official business; and

(5) Assessment of all documentation concerning the alleged fraud, including documentation submitted by the contractor in its response to the notice required by paragraph (e) of this subsection.

(e) Before making a decision to reduce or suspend further payments, the agency head shall, in accordance with agency procedures—

(1) Notify the contractor in writing of the action proposed by the remedy coordination official and the reasons therefor (such notice must be sufficiently specific to permit the contractor to collect and present evidence addressing the aforesaid reasons); and

(2) Provide the contractor an opportunity to submit information within a reasonable time, in response to the action proposed by the remedy coordination official.

(f) When more than one agency has contracts affected by the fraud, the agencies shall consider designating one agency as the lead agency for making the determination and decision.

(g) The agency shall retain in its files the written justification for each—

(1) Decision of the agency head whether to reduce or suspend further payments; and

(2) Recommendation received by an agency head in connection with such decision.

(h) Not later than 180 calendar days after the date of the reduction or suspension action, the remedy coordination official shall—

(1) Review the agency head's determination on which the reduction or suspension decision is based; and

(2) Transmit a recommendation to the agency head as to whether the reduction or suspension should continue.

[60 FR 49729, Sept. 26, 1995]
32.006–5 - 32.006-5 Reporting.

(a) In accordance with 41 U.S.C. 4506(h), the head of an agency, other than the Department of Defense, shall prepare a report for each fiscal year in which a recommendation has been received pursuant to 32.006–4(a). Reports within the Department of Defense shall be prepared in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 3806(h).

(b) In accordance with 41 U.S.C. 4506(h) and 10 U.S.C. 3806(h), each report shall contain—

(1) Each recommendation made by the remedy coordination official;

(2) The actions taken on the recommendation(s), with reasons for such actions; and

(3) An assessment of the effects of each action on the Government.

[60 FR 49729, Sept. 26, 1995, as amended at 79 FR 24211, Apr. 29, 2014; 87 FR 73899, Dec. 1, 2022]
32.007 - 32.007 Contract financing payments.

(a)(1) Unless otherwise prescribed in agency policies and procedures or otherwise specified in paragraph (b) of this section, the due date for making contract financing payments by the designated payment office is the 30th day after the designated billing office receives a proper contract financing request.

(2) If an audit or other review of a specific financing request is required to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the contract, the designated payment office is not compelled to make payment by the specified due date.

(3) Agency heads may prescribe shorter periods for payment based on contract pricing or administrative considerations. For example, a shorter period may be justified by an agency if the nature and extent of contract financing arrangements are integrated with agency contract pricing policies.

(4) Agency heads must not prescribe a period shorter than 7 days or longer than 30 days.

(b) For advance payments, loans, or other arrangements that do not involve recurrent submission of contract financing requests, the designated payment office will make payment in accordance with the applicable contract financing terms or as directed by the contracting officer.

(c) A proper contract financing request must comply with the terms and conditions specified by the contract. The contractor must correct any defects in requests submitted in the manner specified in the contract or as directed by the contracting officer.

(d) The designated billing office and designated payment office must annotate each contract financing request with the date their respective offices received the request.

(e) The Government will not pay an interest penalty to the contractor as a result of delayed contract financing payments.

[66 FR 65355, Dec. 18, 2001]
32.008 - 32.008 Notification of overpayment.

If the contractor notifies the contracting officer of a duplicate payment or that the Government has otherwise overpaid, the contracting officer shall follow the procedures at 32.604.

[73 FR 54002, Sept. 17, 2008]
32.009 - 32.009 Providing accelerated payments to small business contractors and to prime contractors that subcontract with a small business concern.
32.009–1 - 32.009-1 General.

(a)(1) Pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3903(a), agencies other than the Department of Defense (DoD) shall provide accelerated payments, to the fullest extent permitted by law, with a goal of 15 days after receipt of a proper invoice and all other required documentation, if a specific payment date is not established by contract, to—

(i) Small business contractors; and

(ii) Prime contractors that subcontract with a small business concern, if the prime contractor agrees to make payments to the small business subcontractor within 15 days of receiving the accelerated payment from the Government, after receipt of a proper invoice and all other required documentation from the small business subcontractor, to the maximum extent practicable, without any further consideration from or fees charged to the subcontractor.

(2) Pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 3801(b), DoD shall provide accelerated payments, to the fullest extent permitted by law, with a goal of 15 days after receipt of a proper invoice and all other required documentation, to—

(i) Small business contractors; and

(ii) Prime contractors that subcontract with a small business concern, if the prime contractor agrees to make payments to the small business subcontractor within 15 days of receiving the accelerated payment from the Government, after receipt of a proper invoice and all other required documentation from the small business subcontractor, to the maximum extent practicable, without any further consideration from or fees charged to the subcontractor.

(b) This acceleration does not provide any new rights under the Prompt Payment Act and does not affect the application of the Prompt Payment Act late payment interest provisions.

(c) Agencies may use the Governmentwide commercial purchase card as a method of payment (see 32.1108) to facilitate accelerated payment, to earn refunds, and to reduce invoice processing costs.

[88 FR 9733, Feb. 14, 2023]
32.009–2 - 32.009-2 Contract clause.

Insert clause 52.232–40, Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors, in all solicitations and contracts.

[78 FR 70479, Nov. 25, 2013]
Subpart 32.1 [32.100 - 32.114] - Subpart 32.1—Financing for Other Than a Commercial Purchase
Subpart 32.2 [32.200 - 32.207] - Subpart 32.2—Commercial Product and Commercial Service Purchase Financing
Subpart 32.3 [32.300 - 32.306] - Subpart 32.3—Loan Guarantees for Defense Production
Subpart 32.4 [32.400 - 32.412] - Subpart 32.4—Advance Payments for Other Than Commercial Acquisitions
Subpart 32.5 [32.500 - 32.504] - Subpart 32.5—Progress Payments Based on Costs
Subpart 32.6 [32.600 - 32.611] - Subpart 32.6—Contract Debts
Subpart 32.7 [32.700 - 32.706–3] - Subpart 32.7—Contract Funding
Subpart 32.8 [32.800 - 32.806] - Subpart 32.8—Assignment of Claims
Subpart 32.9 [32.900 - 32.909] - Subpart 32.9—Prompt Payment
Subpart 32.10 [32.1000 - 32.1010] - Subpart 32.10—Performance-Based Payments
Subpart 32.11 [32.1100 - 32.1110] - Subpart 32.11—Electronic Funds Transfer
authority: 40 U.S.C. 121(c); 10 U.S.C. chapter 4 and 10 U.S.C. chapter 137 legacy provisions (see 10 U.S.C. 3016); and 51 U.S.C. 20113.
source: 48 FR 42328, Sept. 19, 1983, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 48 CFR 32.001