47.305-9 Commodity description and freight classification
Source: FAR 47.305-9 on acquisition.gov
Accurate commodity descriptions and proper freight classifications in solicitations are essential for determining correct transportation charges and ensuring compliance with federal regulations.
Overview
FAR 47.305-9 outlines the requirements for describing commodities and determining freight classifications in government solicitations and contracts. The section ensures that proper freight rates are applied by requiring contracting officers to use official freight classification systems, provide detailed commodity and packing descriptions, and address special cases such as new or hazardous items. It also mandates coordination with transportation offices and the inclusion of specific solicitation provisions when necessary.
Key Rules
- Commodity and Packing Description
- Solicitations must include a complete description of the commodity and packing requirements to determine accurate transportation charges.
- Use of Official Freight Classifications
- Freight rates are based on the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) for carriers and Uniform Freight Classification (UFC) for rail; if classification is unclear, the transportation office must be consulted.
- Special Provisions for New or Nonstandard Items
- For new, nonstandard, or modified items, the provision at 52.247-53 must be included in solicitations, and the transportation officer should be alerted to potential negotiations for freight rates.
- Hazardous Materials
- Solicitations for explosives or dangerous supplies must include both the regular freight classification and the hazardous material description/class per 49 CFR 172.101.
- Information Sharing
- Freight classification information must be provided to the contract administration office.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Must ensure accurate commodity descriptions, use correct freight classifications, include required provisions, and coordinate with transportation and contract administration offices.
- Contractors: Must comply with solicitation requirements and provide necessary information for freight classification.
- Agencies: Oversee compliance and ensure proper coordination among contracting, transportation, and administration offices.
Practical Implications
- This section ensures fair and accurate transportation cost evaluation in government contracts, reducing risk of disputes and unexpected costs. Failure to provide correct descriptions or classifications can lead to delays, increased costs, or compliance issues, especially for hazardous or nonstandard items.
(a) Generally, the freight rate for supplies is based on the rating applicable to the freight classification description published in the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) (for carriers) and the Uniform Freight Classification (UFC) (for rail) filed with Federal and State regulatory bodies. Therefore, the contracting officer shall show in the solicitation a complete description of the commodity to be acquired and of packing requirements to determine proper transportation charges for the evaluation of offers. If supplies cannot be properly classified through reference to freight classification tariffs or if doubt exists, the contracting officer shall obtain the applicable freight classification from the transportation office. In some situations prospective contractors have established an official freight classification description that can be applied.
(b)
(1) When the supplies being acquired are new to the supply system, nonstandard, or modifications of previously shipped items, and different freight classifications may apply, the contracting officer shall insert in solicitations the provision at 52.247-53, Freight Classification Description.
(2) The contracting officer shall alert the transportation officer to the possibility of negotiations for appropriate freight classification ratings and reasonable transportation rates.
(c) The solicitation shall contain adequate descriptions of explosives and other dangerous supplies according to-
(1) The regular freight classification; and
(2) The hazardous material description and hazard class as shown in 49 CFR172.101.
(d) The contracting officer shall furnish the freight classification information developed in 47.305-9(a), (b), and (c) of this section to the contract administration office.