Part 47 Transportation
Source: FAR 47 on acquisition.gov
FAR Part 47 sets comprehensive requirements for managing transportation and related services in federal contracts, emphasizing compliance with statutory mandates and efficient, cost-effective movement of goods.
Overview
FAR Part 47 establishes the policies, procedures, and requirements for the acquisition and management of transportation and transportation-related services in federal contracting. It covers the movement of supplies, equipment, and personnel by various modes (land, air, ocean), and addresses the use of government and commercial transportation resources. The part is organized into subparts that address general transportation policies, contracts for transportation services, transportation in supply contracts, and specific requirements for air and ocean transportation using U.S.-flag carriers. The regulation ensures compliance with statutory requirements such as the Fly America Act and Cargo Preference Act, and provides guidance on rate tenders, insurance, documentation, and evaluation of transportation costs in contract awards.
Key Rules
- General Transportation Policies
- Establishes foundational policies for transportation in government contracts, including insurance and payment regulations.
- Contracts for Transportation Services
- Outlines procedures for planning, soliciting, awarding, and managing contracts specifically for transportation or related services.
- Transportation in Supply Contracts
- Details requirements for integrating transportation terms (e.g., FOB terms, delivery points) into supply contracts and evaluating transportation costs.
- Air and Ocean Transportation by U.S.-Flag Carriers
- Mandates the use of U.S.-flag carriers for air and ocean shipments when available, with exceptions and documentation requirements.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Ensure compliance with transportation policies, select appropriate contract clauses, and verify use of U.S.-flag carriers where required.
- Contractors: Adhere to specified transportation terms, provide required documentation, and comply with insurance and carrier requirements.
- Agencies: Oversee transportation activities, maintain records, and report as required by law and regulation.
Practical Implications
- FAR Part 47 exists to ensure efficient, cost-effective, and legally compliant transportation of government goods and personnel. It impacts daily contracting by requiring careful planning of shipping terms, carrier selection, and documentation. Common pitfalls include failure to use U.S.-flag carriers when required, improper documentation, and misunderstanding FOB terms, all of which can lead to compliance issues or increased costs.
47.102 Transportation insurance.
47.103 Transportation Payment and Audit Regulation.
47.104-1 Government rate tender procedures.
47.104-2 Fixed-price contracts.
47.104-3 Cost-reimbursement contracts.
47.104-5 Citation of Government rate tenders.
47.105 Transportation assistance.
Subpart 47.2 - Contracts for Transportation or for Transportation-Related Services
47.202 Presolicitation planning.
47.204 Single-movement contracts.
47.206 Preparation of solicitations and contracts.
47.207 Solicitation provisions, contract clauses, and special requirements.
47.207-1 Qualifications of offerors.
47.207-2 Duration of contract and time of performance.
47.207-3 Description of shipment, origin, and destination.
47.207-4 Determination of Weights.
47.207-5 Contractor responsibilities.
47.207-7 Liability and insurance.
47.207-8 Government responsibilities.
47.207-9 Annotation and distribution of shipping and billing documents.
47.207-10 Discrepancies incident to shipments.
47.207-11 Volume movements within the contiguous United States.
47.208 Report of shipment (REPSHIP).
Subpart 47.3 - Transportation in Supply Contracts
47.301-1 Responsibilities of contracting officers.
47.301-2 Participation of transportation officers.
47.301-3 Using the Defense Transportation System (DTS).
47.302 Place of delivery-f.o.b. point.
47.303 Standard delivery terms and contract clauses.
47.303-2 F.o.b. origin, contractor’s facility.
47.303-3 F.o.b. origin, freight allowed.
47.303-4 F.o.b. origin, freight prepaid.
47.303-5 F.o.b. origin, with differentials.
47.303-7 F.o.b. destination, within consignee’s premises.
47.303-8 F.a.s. vessel, port of shipment.
47.303-9 F.o.b. vessel, port of shipment.
47.303-10 F.o.b. inland carrier, point of exportation.
47.303-11 F.o.b. inland point, country of importation.
47.303-12 Ex dock, pier, or warehouse, port of importation.
47.303-13 C. & f. destination.
47.303-15 F.o.b. designated air carrier’s terminal, point of exportation.
47.303-16 F.o.b. designated air carrier’s terminal, point of importation.
47.303-17 Contractor-prepaid commercial bills of lading, small package shipments.
47.304 Determination of delivery terms.
47.304-2 Shipments within CONUS.
47.304-3 Shipments from CONUS for overseas delivery.
47.304-4 Shipments originating outside CONUS.
47.305 Solicitation provisions, contract clauses, and transportation factors.
47.305-1 Solicitation requirements.
47.305-2 Solicitations f.o.b. origin and f.o.b. destination-lowest overall cost.
47.305-3 F.o.b. origin solicitations.
47.305-4 F.o.b. destination solicitations.
47.305-6 Shipments to ports and air terminals.
47.305-7 Quantity analysis, direct delivery, and reduction of crosshauling and backhauling.
47.305-8 Consolidation of small shipments and the use of stopoff privileges.
47.305-9 Commodity description and freight classification.
47.305-10 Packing, marking, and consignment instructions.
47.305-11 Options in shipment and delivery.
47.305-12 Delivery of Government-furnished property.
47.305-13 Transit arrangements.
47.305-14 Mode of transportation.
47.305-15 Loading responsibilities of contractors.
47.305-16 Shipping characteristics.
47.305-17 Returnable cylinders.
47.306 Transportation factors in the evaluation of offers.
47.306-1 Transportation cost determinations.
47.306-2 Lowest overall transportation costs.
47.306-3 Adequacy of loading and unloading facilities.
Subpart 47.4 - Air Transportation by U.S.-Flag Carriers
47.403 Guidelines for implementation of the Fly America Act.
47.403-1 Availability and unavailability of U.S.-flag air carrier service.
47.403-2 Air transport agreements between the United States and foreign governments.
47.403-3 Disallowance of expenditures.
47.404 Air freight forwarders.
Subpart 47.5 - Ocean Transportation by U.S.-Flag Vessels
