Amendment of invitation for bids
All changes or clarifications to an invitation for bids must be formally issued as amendments to ensure fair competition and adequate bidder notification.
Overview
FAR 14.208 outlines the procedures for amending an invitation for bids (IFB) in sealed bidding. When changes to the IFB—such as quantity, specifications, delivery schedules, or bid opening dates—are necessary, or if the original invitation is found to be defective or ambiguous, the contracting officer must issue an amendment using Standard Form 30. All recipients of the original IFB must receive the amendment before the bid opening, and it must also be displayed in the bid room. The regulation emphasizes that merely mentioning changes at a pre-bid conference does not substitute for a formal amendment. Contracting officers must also consider whether the bid opening date should be extended to allow bidders adequate time to respond to amendments. Additionally, any information provided to one prospective bidder that is necessary for bid preparation or could affect competition must be shared with all prospective bidders via an amendment. No contract award can be made unless all necessary amendments have been issued in time for bidders to consider them.