48 CFR § 43.102 - 43.102 Policy.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t48/s43.102"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "48 CFR § 43.102 - 43.102   Policy."
title_number: 48
title_name: "Federal Acquisition Regulations System"
section_number: "43.102"
section_name: "43.102   Policy."
chapter_number: 1
chapter_name: "FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION"
subchapter_number: "G"
subchapter_name: "CONTRACT MANAGEMENT"
part_number: "43"
part_name: "CONTRACT MODIFICATIONS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "41 U.S.C. 1121(b); 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 42386, Sept. 19, 1983, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "43"
---


# 43.102 43.102   Policy.

(a) Only contracting officers acting within the scope of their authority are empowered to execute contract modifications on behalf of the Government. Other Government personnel shall not—

(1) Execute contract modifications;

(2) Act in such a manner as to cause the contractor to believe that they have authority to bind the Government; or

(3) Direct or encourage the contractor to perform work that should be the subject of a contract modification.

(b) Contract modifications, including changes that could be issued unilaterally, shall be priced before their execution if this can be done without adversely affecting the interest of the Government. If a significant cost increase could result from a contract modification and time does not permit negotiation of a price, at least a ceiling price shall be negotiated unless impractical.

[48 FR 42386, Sept. 19, 1983, as amended at 61 FR 18915, Apr. 29, 1996; 61 FR 69298, Dec. 31, 1996; 74 FR 28431, June 15, 2009; 79 FR 24213, Apr. 29, 2014]