Federal glossary · Process
A Stop-Work Order (FAR 42.13) directs the contractor to halt work temporarily. Maximum 90 days. Government pays additional costs caused by the stop. Must be followed by termination, modification, or resumption.
Example: Respond to an RFI, RFP, or Sources Sought notice.
Reference record · Sources: Federal Acquisition Regulation · Verified Jul 2, 2026 · Covers definition, governing source
Stop-Work Order
Also known as
A Stop-Work Order (FAR 42.13) directs the contractor to halt work temporarily. Maximum 90 days. Government pays additional costs caused by the stop. Must be followed by termination, modification, or resumption.
(Stop-Work Order) is a process concept federal contractors and grant writers run into across solicitations, regulations, and award filings
Stop Work Order is a step or workflow in the federal-procurement lifecycle. For example: Example: Respond to an RFI, RFP, or Sources Sought notice. Knowing where Stop Work Order fits in the larger acquisition arc — from market research through award through performance — helps contractors time their engagement, identify the right contracting officials, and avoid showing up too late to influence the requirement. Many proposal failures trace back to misunderstanding when Stop Work Order occurs, who owns it, and what artifacts it produces. The related terms above name the adjacent process steps that most commonly precede or follow Stop Work Order, and tracking those transitions over time is one of the more reliable ways to build pipeline visibility ahead of formal solicitations.
Example: Respond to an RFI, RFP, or Sources Sought notice.
Meaning in practice
Stop Work Order is a step in a government workflow or procurement lifecycle.
Where you’ll see it
You will see it in NOFOs, solicitations, evaluation sections, award letters, and procedural instructions. Example: Example: Respond to an RFI, RFP, or Sources Sought notice..
Common confusion
People often confuse the document that describes the process with the process itself.
What to do next
Identify the deadline, owner, and artifacts the process produces before you move forward.
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Get notified when usage of Stop Work Order changes in contracts or guidance.
Search active federal contracts and solicitations related to Stop Work Order on Bureauify.
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