Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information Systems
A contract clause under the Federal Acquisition Regulation, placed in Uniform Contract Format Section I (Contract clauses).
Removed and reserved by the RFO Part 4 model deviation; consolidated into new FAR Part 40 clause 52.240-93. Old 52.204 number is [Reserved].
Now carried by FAR 52.240-93.
52.204-21 is still in force at any agency that has not adopted the deviation, prescribed as described below. See the Part 40 security clauses for which agencies have adopted it and when.
Does 52.204-21 apply to your acquisition? ArcClause builds your full FAR and agency-supplement matrix, every row carrying the prescription behind it. Free, no login.
Build my matrix →When it applies
Required by 4.1903 when the contractor or any subcontractor may have Federal contract information residing in or transiting its information systems — true of nearly every contract except pure COTS buys.
Prescription
The FAR directs use of 52.204-21 at 4.1903 — read the prescribing section on acquisition.gov →.
Official text
The full, authoritative text of 52.204-21 is on acquisition.gov: View FAR 52.204-21 →
Frequently asked questions
Is FAR 52.204-21 still required?
Removed and reserved by the RFO Part 4 model deviation; consolidated into new FAR Part 40 clause 52.240-93. Old 52.204 number is [Reserved]. The requirement is now carried by FAR 52.240-93. It remains in force at any agency that has not adopted the deviation.
When does FAR 52.204-21 apply?
Required by 4.1903 when the contractor or any subcontractor may have Federal contract information residing in or transiting its information systems — true of nearly every contract except pure COTS buys.
Where is FAR 52.204-21 prescribed?
The FAR prescribes 52.204-21 at 4.1903. ArcClause selects it automatically when your acquisition triggers that prescription.
Is FAR 52.204-21 a solicitation provision or a contract clause?
52.204-21, Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information Systems, is a contract clause under the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
Is FAR 52.204-21 incorporated by reference or set out in full text?
52.204-21 is typically incorporated by reference in the contract.
Where can I read the official text of FAR 52.204-21?
The full, authoritative text of 52.204-21 is published on acquisition.gov.
How do I know which clauses apply to my acquisition?
ArcClause builds a complete FAR/DFARS clause matrix for your acquisition automatically — enter your parameters and it selects every applicable provision and clause, including 52.204-21 when triggered. It is free to use at https://www.aframesolutions.com/arcclause.
Which clauses does your solicitation need?
Answer a short wizard and ArcClause builds your full FAR & agency-supplement matrix, with the prescription behind every row, aware of both the legacy FAR and the FAR Overhaul deviations your agency has adopted. Get it emailed to you as Word & Excel. Free, no login.