47.207-3 Description of shipment, origin, and destination
Source: FAR 47.207-3 on acquisition.gov
Contracting officers must provide complete and accurate shipment, origin, destination, and quantity details in transportation solicitations, including required clauses for exclusions and estimates.
Overview
FAR 47.207-3 outlines the requirements for contracting officers to provide detailed information in solicitations regarding the shipment, origin, destination, description, exclusions, and quantity of freight for transportation contracts. The regulation ensures that prospective offerors have all necessary details to accurately price and perform transportation services. It covers the need to specify exact or general locations for both origin and destination, provide inventories and freight classifications, clearly identify any excluded freight, and state actual or estimated quantities. The section also mandates the inclusion of specific clauses when exclusions or estimated quantities are involved.
Key Rules
- Origin and Destination Details
- Solicitations must include full details (name, address, city, state, ZIP) for single locations or describe boundaries and ZIP codes for multiple/indefinite locations.
- Freight Description
- Include an inventory for nonbulk items and a freight classification or clear description, with all necessary details (size, weight, hazardous material, etc.).
- Exclusion of Freight
- Clearly identify excluded freight types and insert the appropriate exclusion clause (52.247-7) when applicable.
- Quantity Specification
- State actual or estimated weights/quantities and include a schedule if over time; insert clause 52.247-8 if estimates are used.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Must provide comprehensive shipment details, identify exclusions, estimate quantities, and insert required clauses.
- Contractors: Must review and understand all shipment details, exclusions, and quantity estimates to prepare accurate offers.
- Agencies: Ensure solicitations are complete and compliant with FAR requirements for transportation contracts.
Practical Implications
- This section ensures transparency and accuracy in transportation solicitations, reducing misunderstandings and disputes.
- Contractors rely on this information to price and plan transportation services effectively.
- Common pitfalls include incomplete shipment details, failure to identify exclusions, or omitting required clauses, which can lead to contract issues or protests.
(a) Origin of shipments. The contracting officer shall include in solicitations full details regarding the location from which the freight is to be shipped. For example, if a single location is shown, furnish the shipper’s name, street address, city, State, and ZIP code. If several or indefinite locations are involved, as in the case of multiple shippers or drayage contracts, describe the area of origin including boundaries and ZIP codes.
(b) Destination of shipments. The contracting officer shall include full details regarding delivery points. For example, if a single delivery point is shown, furnish the consignee’s name, street address, city, State, and ZIP code. If several or indefinite delivery points are involved, describe the delivery area, including boundaries and ZIP codes.
(c) Description of the freight. The contracting officer shall include in solicitations-
(1) An inventory if the freight consists of nonbulk items; and
(2) The freight classification description, which should be obtained from the transportation office. If a freight classification description is not available, use a clear nontechnical description. Include additional details necessary to ensure that the prospective offerors have complete information about the freight; e.g., size, weight, hazardous material, whether packed for export, or unusual value.
(d) Exclusion of freight. The contracting officer shall-
(1) Clearly identify any freight or types of shipments that are subject to exclusion; e.g., bulk freight, hazardous commodities, or shipments under or over specified weights; and
(2) Insert a clause substantially the same as the clause at 52.247-7, Freight Excluded, when any commodities or types of shipments have been identified for exclusion.
(e) Quantity.
(1) The contracting officer shall state the actual weight of the freight or a reasonably accurate estimate. The following are examples:
(i) If the contract covers transportation services required over an extended period of time, include a schedule of actual or estimated tonnage or number of items to be transported per week, month, or other time period.
(ii) If the contract covers a group movement of household goods, give an estimate of the aggregate weights and the basis for determining the aggregate weight.
(2) The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.247-8, Estimated Weights or Quantities Not Guaranteed, when weights or quantities are estimates.