subcontract

sub- +‎ contract

subcontract (third-person singular simple present subcontracts, present participle subcontracting, simple past and past participle subcontracted)

1. (transitive, intransitive) To contract out portions of a larger contracted project.

• farm out, outsource

subcontract (plural subcontracts)

1. A portion of a contracted project that is contracted out in turn.
   • Cristina T. Chaplain, Defense Acquisitions: Additional Guidance Needed to Improve Visibility into the Structure and Management of Major Weapon System Subcontracts

     Once the prime contract has been awarded, “major” subcontractors typically remain the same over the life cycle of the program—from development to production—even if the subcontracts were originally competed.