52.247-53 Freight Classification Description
Source: FAR 52.247-53 on acquisition.gov
Offerors must provide a detailed commercial freight classification description for applicable supplies, but the government will determine and specify the final shipping classification for contract shipments.
Overview
FAR 52.247-53 requires offerors to provide a detailed freight classification description for supplies that are new to the supply system, nonstandard, or modified from previously shipped items, where different freight classifications may apply. This provision ensures the government receives accurate information about how supplies are typically shipped commercially, including details such as packing method, container material, unusual dimensions, and other relevant shipping conditions. The government uses this information to determine the most appropriate and advantageous freight classification for its own shipping needs, which may differ from the offeror's commercial classification. Offerors must understand that, for f.o.b. origin contracts, shipments will be made according to the government-specified classification, not necessarily the one provided by the offeror.
Key Rules
- Provision Inclusion
- Insert this provision in solicitations for supplies that are new, nonstandard, or modified, and where freight classification may vary.
- Offeror Disclosure Requirement
- Offerors must describe the commodity for freight classification purposes, including packing, container material, and any special shipping conditions.
- Government Determination
- The government will determine the final shipping classification, which may differ from the offeror's description.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Ensure the provision is included in applicable solicitations and use the information to determine the most advantageous freight classification.
- Contractors/Offerors: Accurately describe the commodity's freight classification and shipping details as used in commercial practice.
- Agencies: Oversee compliance and ensure proper classification is used for government shipments.
Practical Implications
- This clause helps the government avoid unnecessary shipping costs or complications by ensuring accurate freight classification.
- Contractors must be thorough and precise in their descriptions to avoid disputes or delays.
- Misclassification or incomplete information can lead to contract issues or increased costs for either party.
As prescribed in 47.305-9(b)(1), insert the following provision in solicitations when the supplies being acquired are new to the supply system, nonstandard, or modifications of previously shipped items, and different freight classifications may apply:
Freight Classification Description (Apr 1984)
Offerors are requested to indicate below the full Uniform Freight Classification (rail) description, or the National Motor Freight Classification description applicable to the supplies, the same as offeror uses for commercial shipment. This description should include the packing of the commodity (box, crate, bundle, loose, setup, knocked down, compressed, unwrapped, etc.), the container material (fiberboard, wooden, etc.), unusual shipping dimensions, and other conditions affecting traffic descriptions. The Government will use these descriptions as well as other information available to determine the classification description most appropriate and advantageous to the Government. Offeror understands that shipments on any f.o.b. origin contract awarded, as a result of this solicitation, will be made in conformity with the shipping classification description specified by the Government, which may be different from the classification description furnished below.
For Freight Classification Purposes, Offeror Describes This Commodity as ___________.
(End of clause)