52.247-60 Guaranteed Shipping Characteristics
Source: FAR 52.247-60 on acquisition.gov
Accurately providing guaranteed shipping characteristics is essential, as discrepancies can result in contract price reductions if actual transportation costs exceed those used for evaluation.
Overview
FAR 52.247-60, Guaranteed Shipping Characteristics, requires offerors to provide detailed shipping information for each part or component packed separately. This information is used by the Government to evaluate transportation costs as part of the overall offer evaluation process. If an offeror fails to provide sufficient shipping data, the Government will use the highest submitted costs or its own estimate for evaluation. If actual shipping costs exceed those used for evaluation due to inaccurate data, the contract price will be reduced accordingly. The clause also clarifies that these guaranteed characteristics are for evaluation and liability purposes only, not for setting actual shipping requirements.
Key Rules
- Offeror Submission of Shipping Data
- Offerors must complete a detailed shipping characteristics form for each separately packed item, including container type, configuration, size, weight, palletization, and transport details.
- Government Evaluation and Liability
- The Government uses this data to estimate transportation costs for offer evaluation. If actual shipping costs are higher due to inaccurate data, the contractor is liable for the difference, resulting in a contract price reduction.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Ensure the clause is included in applicable solicitations, evaluate offers based on submitted shipping data, and adjust contract price if actual shipping costs exceed evaluated costs.
- Contractors: Accurately complete and submit all required shipping characteristic information with their offers; accept liability for cost differences if actual shipping exceeds evaluated costs.
- Agencies: Oversee compliance, ensure proper evaluation, and enforce contract price adjustments as needed.
Practical Implications
This clause ensures fair and accurate evaluation of transportation costs in competitive procurements, incentivizing offerors to provide precise shipping data. Inaccurate or incomplete submissions can lead to unfavorable evaluation or post-award price reductions. Contractors should pay close attention to the details required and maintain accurate records to avoid financial penalties.
As prescribed in 47.305-16(b)(1), insert the following clause:
Guaranteed Shipping Characteristics (Aug 2025)
(a) The offeror is requested to complete paragraph (a)(1) of this clause, for each part or component which is packed or packaged separately. This information will be used to determine transportation costs for evaluation purposes. If the offeror does not furnish sufficient data in paragraph (a)(1) of this clause, to permit determination by the Government of the item shipping costs, evaluation will be based on the shipping characteristics submitted by the offeror whose offer produces the highest transportation costs or in the absence thereof, by the Contracting Officer’s best estimate of the actual transportation costs. If the item shipping costs, based on the actual shipping characteristics, exceed the item shipping costs used for evaluation purposes, the Contractor agrees that the contract price shall be reduced by an amount equal to the difference between the transportation costs actually incurred, and the costs which would have been incurred if the evaluated shipping characteristics had been accurate.
(1) To be completed by the offeror:
(i) Type of container: Wood Box □, Fiber Box □, Barrel □, Reel □, Drum □, Other (Specify) _____;
(ii) Shipping configuration: Knocked-down □, Set-up □, Nested □, Other (specify) _____;
(iii) Size of container: _____" (Length), x_____" (Width), x_____" (Height) = _____ Cubic Ft;
(iv) Number of items per container _____ each;
(v) Gross weight of container and contents _____ Lbs;
(vi) Palletized/skidded □ Yes, □ No;
(vii) Number of containers per pallet/skid _____;
(viii) Weight of empty pallet bottom/skid and sides _____ Lbs;
(ix) Size of pallet/skid and contents _____ Lbs Cube _____;
(x) Number of containers or pallets/skids per railcar _____ *
(A) Size of railcar _____
(B) Type of railcar _____
(xi) Number of containers or pallets/skids per trailer _____*
(A) Size of trailer _____ Ft
(B) Type of trailer _____
* Number of complete units (line item) to be shipped in carrier’s equipment.
(2) To be completed by the Government after evaluation but before contract award:
(i) Rate used in evaluation _____;
(ii) Tender/Tariff _____;
(iii) Item _____.
(b) The guaranteed shipping characteristics requested in paragraph (a)(1) of this clause do not establish actual transportation requirements, which are specified elsewhere in this solicitation. The guaranteed shipping characteristics will be used only for the purpose of evaluating offers and establishing any liability of the successful offeror for increased transportation costs resulting from actual shipping characteristics which differ from those used for evaluation in accordance with paragraph (a) of this clause.
(End of clause)