53.213 Simplified acquisition procedures (SF’s 18, 30, 44, 1165, 1449, and OF’s 336, 347, and 348)
Source: FAR 53.213 on acquisition.gov
FAR 53.213 mandates the use of specific forms for simplified acquisition procedures to ensure standardized and compliant procurement documentation.
Overview
FAR 53.213 prescribes the specific forms required for use in simplified acquisition procedures (SAP), orders under existing contracts or agreements, and orders from required sources of supplies and services. The section details which Standard Forms (SF) and Optional Forms (OF) must be used for various procurement actions, such as requesting quotations, modifying purchase orders, making purchases with imprest funds, and issuing orders under BPAs and basic ordering agreements. It also references related FAR sections that further specify the use of these forms.
Key Rules
- Use of SF 18 and SF 1449
- SF 18 is used to request quotations for price, cost, and delivery information; SF 1449 or other agency-approved forms may also be used for similar purposes.
- Use of SF 30
- SF 30 is used for modifying purchase orders under SAP.
- Use of SF 44
- SF 44 is used as a purchase order invoice voucher in simplified acquisitions.
- Use of SF 1165
- SF 1165 is used for imprest fund purchases.
- Use of OF 336
- OF 336 serves as a continuation sheet for solicitations and orders.
- Use of SF 1449, OF 347, and OF 348
- These forms are used for acquisitions under SAP, establishing and purchasing under BPAs, issuing orders under basic ordering agreements, and as otherwise specified in the FAR.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Must select and use the prescribed forms for each acquisition action as specified in the FAR and related sections.
- Contractors: Must respond to solicitations and orders using the forms provided by the government.
- Agencies: Ensure proper use and retention of prescribed forms and compliance with related FAR requirements.
Practical Implications
- This section ensures uniformity and compliance in documentation for simplified acquisitions, reducing administrative errors and streamlining procurement processes.
- Failure to use the correct forms can result in delays, compliance issues, or invalid procurement actions.
- Contracting professionals must be familiar with the prescribed forms and their appropriate use cases to maintain efficient and compliant acquisition operations.
The following forms are prescribed as stated in this section for use in simplified acquisition procedures, orders under existing contracts or agreements, and orders from required sources of supplies and services:
(a) https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/request-quotations" target="_blank"> SF 18 (Rev.6/95), Request for Quotations, or https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/solicitationcontractorder-commercial-items" target="_blank">SF 1449 (Rev. Nov 2021), Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial Products and Commercial Services. https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/request-quotations" target="_blank">SF 18 is prescribed for use in obtaining price, cost, delivery, and related information from suppliers as specified in 13.307(b). https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/solicitationcontractorder-commercial-items" target="_blank">SF 1449, as prescribed in 53.212, or other agency forms/automated formats, may also be used to obtain price, cost, delivery, and related information from suppliers as specified in 13.307(b).
(b) https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/amendment-solicitationmodification-contract" target="_blank"> SF 30 (Rev.11/2016), Amendment of Solicitation/ Modification of Contract. https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/amendment-solicitationmodification-contract" target="_blank">SF 30, prescribed in 53.243, may be used for modifying purchase orders, as specified in 13.307(c)(3).
(c) https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/us-government-purchase-order-invoice-voucher" target="_blank"> SF 44 (Rev.10/83), Purchase Order Invoice Voucher. https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/us-government-purchase-order-invoice-voucher" target="_blank">SF 44 is prescribed for use in simplified acquisition procedures, as specified in 13.306.
(d) https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/receipt-cash-subvoucher" target="_blank"> SF 1165 (6/83Ed.), Receipt for Cash-Subvoucher. https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/receipt-cash-subvoucher" target="_blank">SF 1165 (GAO) may be used for imprest fund purchases, as specified in 13.307(e).
(e) https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/continuation-sheet" target="_blank"> OF 336 (4/86Ed.), Continuation Sheet. https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/continuation-sheet" target="_blank">OF 336, prescribed in 53.214(h), may be used as a continuation sheet in solicitations, as specified in 13.307(c)(1).
(f) https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/solicitationcontractorder-commercial-items" target="_blank">SF 1449 (Rev. Nov 2021) Solicitation/Contract/Order for Commercial Products and Commercial Services prescribed in 53.212, https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/order-supplies-and-services-0" target="_blank">OF 347 (Rev.2/2012), Order for Supplies or Services, and https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/order-supplies-and-services-schedule-continuation" target="_blank">OF 348 (Rev.4/06), Order for Supplies or Services-Schedule Continuation. https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/solicitationcontractorder-commercial-items" target="_blank">SF 1449, OF’s https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/order-supplies-and-services-0" target="_blank">347 and https://www.gsa.gov/forms-library/order-supplies-and-services-schedule-continuation" target="_blank">348 (or approved agency forms/automated formats) may be used as follows:
(1) To accomplish acquisitions under simplified acquisition procedures, as specified in 13.307.
(2) To establish blanket purchase agreements (BPA’s), as specified in 13.303-2, and to make purchases under BPA’s, as specified in 13.303-5.
(3) To issue orders under basic ordering agreements, as specified in 16.703(d)(2)(i).
(4) As otherwise specified in this chapter (e.g., see 5.503(a)(2), 8.406-1, 36.701(b), and 51.102(e)(3)(ii)).