{"data":{"id":"us/48-cfr-42.1303","jurisdiction":"us","citation":"48 CFR 42.1303","heading":"42.1303 Stop-work orders.","body":"(a) Stop-work orders may be used, when appropriate, in any negotiated fixed-price or cost-reimbursement supply, research and development, or service contract if work stoppage may be required for reasons such as advancement in the state-of-the-art, production or engineering breakthroughs, or realignment of programs.\n(b) Generally, a stop-work order will be issued only if it is advisable to suspend work pending a decision by the Government and a supplemental agreement providing for the suspension is not feasible. Issuance of a stop-work order shall be approved at a level higher than the contracting officer. Stop-work orders shall not be used in place of a termination notice after a decision to terminate has been made.\n(c) Stop-work orders should include—\n(1) A description of the work to be suspended;\n(2) Instructions concerning the contractor's issuance of further orders for materials or services;\n(3) Guidance to the contractor on action to be taken on any subcontracts; and\n(4) Other suggestions to the contractor for minimizing costs.\n(d) Promptly after issuing the stop-work order, the contracting officer should discuss the stop-work order with the contractor and modify the order, if necessary, in light of the discussion.\n(e) As soon as feasible after a stop-work order is issued, but before its expiration, the contracting officer shall take appropriate action to—\n(1) Terminate the contract;\n(2) Cancel the stop-work order (any cancellation of a stop-work order shall be subject to the same approvals as were required for its issuance); or\n(3) Extend the period of the stop-work order if it is necessary and if the contractor agrees (any extension of the stop-work order shall be by a supplemental agreement).","path":["Title 48—Federal Acquisition Regulations System","CHAPTER 1—FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION","SUBCHAPTER G—CONTRACT MANAGEMENT","PART 42—CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION AND AUDIT SERVICES","Subpart 42.13—Suspension of Work, Stop-Work Orders, and Government Delay of Work"],"source_url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/api/versioner/v1/full/2026-08-25/title-48.xml","current_through":"2026-08-25","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T02:26:29Z","sha256":"85802d6ffd637d9c68d93405566214b1570453c811412531ce293735a7552dcc","source_id":"us-cfr","stale":true,"prev":"us/48-cfr-42.1302","next":"us/48-cfr-42.1304"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}