3 require modification or the insertion by the

(3) Require modification or the insertion by the Government of fill-in material
(see
52.104
); or
(4) Require completion by the offeror or prospective contractor. This instruction
also applies to provisions completed as annual representations and certifications.
Any FAR provision or clause that can be accessed electronically by the offeror or
prospective contractor may be incorporated by reference in solicitations and/or contracts.
11. What are alternates? How are they cited?
From FAR 2.101:
“Alternate” means a substantive variation of a basic provision or clause prescribed
for use in a defined circumstance. It adds wording to, deletes wording from, or
substitutes specified wording for a portion of the basic provision or clause. The
alternate version of a provision or clause is the basic provision or clause as changed
by the addition, deletion, or substitution (see 52.105 (a)).
The FAR accommodates a major variation in a provision or clause by use of alternates.
For example, the clause at FAR 52.245-1, Government Property, has two forms — the basic
form and Alternate I. If the basic form is included in a contract, paragraph (h)(1) of the
clause states as follows:
Unless otherwise provided for in the contract, the Contractor shall not be liable for
loss, theft, damage or destruction to the Government property furnished or acquired
under this contract, except when any one of the following applies —…
However, if the contract contains FAR 52.245-1, Alternate I, paragraph (h)(1) now reads as
follows:
The Contractor assumes the risk of, and shall be responsible for, any loss, theft,
damage or destruction of Government property upon its delivery to the Contractor as
Government-furnished property. However, the Contractor is not responsible for
reasonable wear and tear to Government property or for Government property
properly consumed in performing this contract.
Guidance for the use of alternates is contained in the same place that the prescription for
the provision or clause is located. When an alternate is used, its date must be cited along
with the date of the basic provision or clause; e.g.,
52.209-3
First Article Approval —
Contractor Testing (Oct 1983) — Alternate I (Dec 1983). Under certain circumstances, a

CON 090 Module 3 Student Guide
181
Lsn 3 – Provisions & Clauses
provision or clause may be used with two or more alternates. In these circumstances, each of
the applicable alternates must be cited, whether incorporated by reference or in full text;
e.g.,
52.209-3
First Article Approval — Contractor Testing (Oct 1983) — Alternate I
(Dec 1983) and Alternate II (Feb 1984). However, under no circumstances may an alternate
to a specific provision or clause be applied to any other provision or clause.
Essentially, you are incorporating the basic clause by citing it and its date, then adding the
Alternate and its date. Whatever changes the Alternate makes will then be read into the
basic clause. Thus there is no confusion as to what terms apply.