14.201-6
Solicitation provisions
FAR 14.201-6 mandates specific solicitation provisions for sealed bidding, requiring contracting officers to include and tailor clauses based on the acquisition's nature to ensure compliant and effective bid submissions.
Overview
FAR 14.201-6 outlines the required solicitation provisions that must be included in invitations for bids (IFBs) under sealed bidding procedures. It specifies which FAR clauses and provisions must be inserted in all IFBs, as well as those required only in certain circumstances, such as construction contracts, two-step sealed bidding, or when bid samples or descriptive literature are needed. The section provides detailed guidance to ensure that solicitations are complete, compliant, and tailored to the specific acquisition, helping both contracting officers and contractors understand the expectations for bid preparation, submission, and evaluation.
Key Rules
- Mandatory Provisions for All IFBs
- Provisions such as Amendments to Invitations for Bids (52.214-3) and False Statements in Bids (52.214-4) must be included in all IFBs.
- Conditional Provisions
- Additional provisions are required based on contract type (e.g., construction, two-step bidding), bid requirements (e.g., samples, descriptive literature), or solicitation format (e.g., uniform contract format).
- Special Circumstances
- Provisions for facsimile bids, offers in English or U.S. currency, and multiple awards are included only when applicable.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Must ensure all required provisions are included in IFBs, tailoring the solicitation to the acquisition's specifics and documenting any waivers or alternates used.
- Contractors: Must review all solicitation provisions to ensure compliance with bid preparation, submission, and evaluation requirements.
- Agencies: Oversee compliance with FAR requirements and ensure solicitations are properly constructed.
Practical Implications
- This section ensures consistency and legal sufficiency in sealed bidding solicitations, reducing the risk of protest or bid rejection due to missing or incorrect provisions. Contractors must pay close attention to the included provisions to avoid noncompliance, while contracting officers must carefully select and document the correct clauses for each acquisition.