52.247-13 Accessorial Services-Moving Contracts
Source: FAR 52.247-13 on acquisition.gov
Contractors must provide comprehensive packing, moving, and setup services—including all materials and cleanup—for government moves of household goods or office furniture.
Overview
FAR 52.247-13 outlines the required accessorial services for contractors handling moving contracts involving household goods or office furniture for the government. This clause mandates that contractors provide comprehensive packing, crating, padding, disassembly, reassembly, appliance servicing, unpacking, placement, and removal of packing materials to ensure the safe and efficient relocation of government property.
Key Rules
- Packing, Crating, and Padding
- Contractors must perform all necessary packing, crating, and padding to protect goods, supply all required containers and materials, and ensure these are clean and of suitable quality.
- Building Protection
- Contractors must provide protective materials for building interiors, including elevators, as needed during the move.
- Disassembly and Reassembly
- Contractors are responsible for disassembling property (e.g., beds, bookcases) and preparing appliances for shipment, as well as reassembling and servicing them at the new location.
- Unpacking and Placement
- Contractors must unpack/uncrate all moved property, place it as directed by the owner or representative, and remove all packing materials from the premises upon request.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Ensure this clause is included in applicable solicitations and contracts.
- Contractors: Fulfill all specified accessorial services, maintain quality standards, and coordinate with property owners or representatives.
- Agencies: Oversee contractor compliance and address any service deficiencies.
Practical Implications
This clause ensures government property is protected and efficiently relocated, minimizing damage and disruption. Contractors must be prepared to provide full-service moving support, and failure to comply can result in contract disputes or performance issues.
As prescribed in 47.207-5(c), insert a clause substantially as follows in solicitations and contracts for the transportation of household goods or office furniture:
Accessorial Services-Moving Contracts (Apr 1984)
(a) Packing and/or crating and padding. The Contractor shall-
(1) Perform all of the packing and/or crating and padding necessary for the protection of the goods to be trans-ported;
(2) Furnish packing containers, including, but not limited to, barrels, boxes, wardrobes, and cartons; all crating materials; and all padding materials and equipment;
(3) Furnish or cause to be furnished, when necessary, padding or other protective material for the interior of the buildings, including elevators, from and to which the property will be moved under this contract; and
(4) Ensure that all containers and materials are clean and of quality sufficient for protection of the goods.
(b) Disassembling and reassembling of property and servicing appliances. The disassembling of property;e.g., beds and sectional bookcases, and the preparing of appliances; e.g., washers, driers, and record players, for shipment shall be performed by the Contractor. The Contractor shall reassemble the property and service the appliances upon delivery at the new location.
(c) Unpacking and/or uncrating and placement of property. The Contractor shall unpack and/or uncrate all property that was packed and/or crated for movement under this contract. The Contractor shall also place the property in the new location as instructed by the owner of the property or authorized representative, and shall remove all packing and similar or related material from the premises as requested by the- owner.
(End of clause)