# 48 CFR § 42.003: 42.003 Cognizant Federal agency

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-48-42.003

## Section

- **Citation:** 48 CFR § 42.003
- **Heading:** 42.003 Cognizant Federal agency
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 48—Federal Acquisition Regulations System > CHAPTER 1—FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION > SUBCHAPTER G—CONTRACT MANAGEMENT > PART 42—CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION AND AUDIT SERVICES

## Text

(a) For contractors other than educational institutions and nonprofit organizations, the cognizant Federal agency normally will be the agency with the largest dollar amount of negotiated contracts, including options. For educational institutions (defined as institutions of higher education in the OMB Uniform Guidance at 2 CFR part 200, subpart A, and 20 U.S.C. 1001) and nonprofit organizations (as defined in the OMB Uniform Guidance at 2 CFR part 200), the cognizant Federal agency for indirect costs is established according to the OMB Uniform Guidance at 2 CFR part 200, appendices III and IV, respectively.
(b) Once a Federal agency assumes cognizance for a contractor, it should remain cognizant for at least 5 years to ensure continuity and ease of administration. If, at the end of the 5-year period, another agency has the largest dollar amount of negotiated contracts, including options, the two agencies shall coordinate and determine which will assume cognizance. However, if circumstances warrant it and the affected agencies agree, cognizance may transfer prior to the expiration of the 5-year period.
[63 FR 9062, Feb. 23, 1998, as amended at 81 FR 45853, July 14, 2016]

## Nearby sections

- [48 CFR § 42.000 42.000 Scope of part.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-48-42.000.md)
- [48 CFR § 42.002 42.002 Interagency agreements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-48-42.002.md)
- [48 CFR § 42.003 42.003 Cognizant Federal agency.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-48-42.003.md)
- [48 CFR § 43.000 43.000 Scope of part.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-48-43.000.md)
- [48 CFR § 44.000 44.000 Scope of part.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-48-44.000.md)
- [48 CFR § 45.000 45.000 Scope of part.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-48-45.000.md)
- [48 CFR § 46.000 46.000 Scope of part.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-48-46.000.md)
- [48 CFR § 47.000 47.000 Scope of subpart.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-48-47.000.md)
- [48 CFR § 47.001 47.001 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-48-47.001.md)
- [48 CFR § 47.002 47.002 Applicability.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-48-47.002.md)
- [48 CFR § 48.000 48.000 Scope of part.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-48-48.000.md)
- [48 CFR § 48.001 48.001 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-48-48.001.md)
- [48 CFR § 49.000 49.000 Scope of part.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-48-49.000.md)
- [48 CFR § 49.002 49.002 Applicability.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-48-49.002.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-48-42.003. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.