36.210
Inspection of site and examination of data
FAR 36.210 ensures all construction offerors have equal opportunity to inspect the site and review relevant data, promoting fairness and transparency in the bidding process.
Overview
FAR 36.210 requires contracting officers to facilitate site inspections and data examinations for prospective offerors on construction contracts. The regulation ensures that all offerors have equal access to information about the work site and relevant data, such as boring samples, logs, and previous construction records. The contracting officer must assemble this data in a single location and notify offerors of the time and place for inspection. If self-inspection is not feasible, a designated individual must be assigned to assist. All significant site and utility information must be shared equally with all offerors, and a record of all site visitors and their affiliations must be maintained.
Key Rules
- Site Inspection Arrangements
- Contracting officers must arrange for offerors to inspect the work site and examine relevant data.
- Data Accessibility
- All pertinent data should be assembled in one place and made available for examination.
- Notification in Solicitation
- Solicitations must specify the time and place for site inspection and data review.
- Assistance for Offerors
- If self-inspection is not possible, a designated individual must be named to assist offerors.
- Equal Access to Information
- All significant site and utility information must be provided to all offerors in the same manner.
- Recordkeeping
- Maintain a record of all offerors’ representatives who inspect the site or data, including their affiliations.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Arrange site/data access, notify offerors, ensure equal information sharing, and keep records.
- Contractors: Attend inspections as scheduled, review all available data, and ensure their representatives are recorded.
- Agencies: Oversee compliance with procedures and maintain transparency in the solicitation process.
Practical Implications
- This section ensures a level playing field by providing all offerors with the same site and data access, reducing the risk of disputes or claims due to undisclosed conditions. It also formalizes the process for site visits and data review, helping prevent favoritism and ensuring transparency. Common pitfalls include failing to notify all offerors, not maintaining proper records, or providing incomplete data access.