48 CFR § 31.201-4 - 31.201-4 Determining allocability.
---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t48/s31.201-4"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "48 CFR § 31.201-4 - 31.201-4 Determining allocability."
title_number: 48
title_name: "Federal Acquisition Regulations System"
section_number: "31.201-4"
section_name: "31.201-4 Determining allocability."
chapter_number: 1
chapter_name: "FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION"
subchapter_number: "E"
subchapter_name: "GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS"
part_number: "31"
part_name: "CONTRACT COST PRINCIPLES AND PROCEDURES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
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."
regulatory_source: "48 FR 42301, Sept. 19, 1983, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "31"
---
# 31.201-4 31.201-4 Determining allocability.
A cost is allocable if it is assignable or chargeable to one or more cost objectives on the basis of relative benefits received or other equitable relationship. Subject to the foregoing, a cost is allocable to a Government contract if it—
(a) Is incurred specifically for the contract;
(b) Benefits both the contract and other work, and can be distributed to them in reasonable proportion to the benefits received; or
(c) Is necessary to the overall operation of the business, although a direct relationship to any particular cost objective cannot be shown.