53.104
Overprinting
You may overprint standard and optional forms with uniform information like names and addresses without needing special approval, as long as the form's content and purpose remain unchanged.
Overview
FAR 53.104 addresses the practice of overprinting on standard and optional government forms used in contracting. It allows agencies and contractors to add uniform information—such as names and addresses—to these forms, provided that the added information does not alter the original content or purpose of the form. Importantly, no special approval is required to overprint these details, streamlining administrative processes and reducing unnecessary delays. This provision ensures that forms can be customized for efficiency while maintaining their integrity and compliance with federal requirements.
Key Rules
- Permissible Overprinting
- Standard and optional forms may be overprinted with uniform entries (e.g., names, addresses) as long as the form's purpose and content are not changed.
- No Exception Approval Needed
- Overprinting that meets these criteria does not require special approval or exception from authorities.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Ensure that any overprinting on forms does not alter the form's content or purpose.
- Contractors: Use overprinting only for uniform entries and avoid making unauthorized changes to forms.
- Agencies: Oversee that overprinting practices comply with this regulation and do not compromise form integrity.
Practical Implications
- This rule exists to facilitate administrative efficiency by allowing pre-filled or customized forms without bureaucratic hurdles.
- It impacts daily contracting by enabling faster processing and reducing manual entry errors.
- Common pitfalls include inadvertently altering the form's content or purpose, which is not permitted under this regulation.