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Tool Name: AI-Powered FAR Navigator Tool by CLEATUS AI
Purpose: To simplify and accelerate the process of understanding the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) for government contractors.
Key Features:
- Provides AI-generated, plain-English summaries for all FAR clauses.
- Highlights relationships and dependencies between different FAR sections and clauses.
- Offers a searchable, browsable, and interactive interface for the entire FAR document.
- Includes a free-to-use search and navigation tool.
Target Audience: Small-to-mid-sized government contractors, proposal writers, and compliance officers who need to quickly understand FAR requirements.
Primary Benefit: Reduces the time and effort required to interpret complex legal and regulatory language, improving efficiency and compliance.

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Forms

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53.214 - Sealed bidding | FAR Navigator

53.214

Sealed bidding

FAR 53.214 mandates the use of specific standard and optional forms for each stage of the sealed bidding process to ensure consistency and compliance.

Overview

FAR 53.214 prescribes the specific forms required for use in sealed bidding contracts (excluding construction and architect-engineer services). It details which Standard Forms (SF) and Optional Forms (OF) must be used at various stages of the sealed bidding process, including solicitation, bid recording, contract award, amendments, and bid handling. The section references related FAR provisions for each form’s use and allows agencies to provide additional instructions for certain forms. This ensures uniformity and compliance in documentation throughout the sealed bidding process.

Key Rules

SF 26 (Award/Contract)
- Used for awarding sealed bid contracts for supplies or services when bids were solicited on SF 33; Block 18 is exclusive to sealed-bid procurements.
SF 30 (Amendment/Modification)
- Used to amend invitations for bids as required by FAR 14.208(a).
SF 33 (Solicitation, Offer and Award)
- Used for soliciting bids and awarding contracts unless SF 26 is used for the award.
SF 1447 (Solicitation/Contract)
- Used for simplified contract formats and may substitute for SF 26 or SF 33; agencies may issue further instructions.
SF 1409 & SF 1410 (Abstract of Offers)
- Used for recording bids as specified in FAR 14.403(a).
OF 17 (Offer Label)
- Provided with invitations for bids to aid in bid identification and handling.
OF 336 (Continuation Sheet)
- Used as a continuation sheet in solicitations as needed.

Responsibilities

Contracting Officers: Must use the prescribed forms at each stage of the sealed bidding process and follow related FAR citations for proper application.
Contractors: Should be familiar with the forms to ensure proper submission and handling of bids.
Agencies: May provide additional instructions for certain forms and must ensure compliance with form usage requirements.

Practical Implications

This section standardizes the documentation process for sealed bidding, reducing errors and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Contractors must use the correct forms to avoid bid rejection or administrative delays.
Common pitfalls include using the wrong form for a given stage or failing to follow agency-specific instructions.

Non-Architect-Engineer Services

Sealed Bidding Contracts

Services Contracts (Non-Construction)

Supplies Contracts

Provide OF 17 with each invitation for bids to facilitate bid identification and handling.

Record bids using SF 1409 and SF 1410 as specified in FAR 14.403(a).

Use OF 336 as a continuation sheet in solicitations as needed.

Use SF 1447 for simplified contract formats or as a substitute for SF 26 or SF 33, following agency instructions if provided.

Use SF 26 for awarding sealed bid contracts when bids were solicited on SF 33, ensuring Block 18 is used only for sealed-bid procurements.

Use SF 30 to amend invitations for bids as required by FAR 14.208(a).

Use SF 33 for soliciting bids and awarding contracts unless SF 26 is used for the award.

References done in this section

14.201-2Part I—The Schedule

14.201-9Simplified contract format

14.202-3Bid envelopes

14.408-1General

14.208Amendment of invitation for bids

14.403Recording of bids

53.2Prescription of Forms

53.214

Sealed bidding

FAR 53.214 mandates the use of specific standard and optional forms for each stage of the sealed bidding process to ensure consistency and compliance.

Overview

Key Rules

SF 26 (Award/Contract)
- Used for awarding sealed bid contracts for supplies or services when bids were solicited on SF 33; Block 18 is exclusive to sealed-bid procurements.
SF 30 (Amendment/Modification)
- Used to amend invitations for bids as required by FAR 14.208(a).
SF 33 (Solicitation, Offer and Award)
- Used for soliciting bids and awarding contracts unless SF 26 is used for the award.
SF 1447 (Solicitation/Contract)
- Used for simplified contract formats and may substitute for SF 26 or SF 33; agencies may issue further instructions.
SF 1409 & SF 1410 (Abstract of Offers)
- Used for recording bids as specified in FAR 14.403(a).
OF 17 (Offer Label)
- Provided with invitations for bids to aid in bid identification and handling.
OF 336 (Continuation Sheet)
- Used as a continuation sheet in solicitations as needed.

Responsibilities

Contracting Officers: Must use the prescribed forms at each stage of the sealed bidding process and follow related FAR citations for proper application.
Contractors: Should be familiar with the forms to ensure proper submission and handling of bids.
Agencies: May provide additional instructions for certain forms and must ensure compliance with form usage requirements.

Practical Implications

This section standardizes the documentation process for sealed bidding, reducing errors and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Contractors must use the correct forms to avoid bid rejection or administrative delays.
Common pitfalls include using the wrong form for a given stage or failing to follow agency-specific instructions.

Non-Architect-Engineer Services

Sealed Bidding Contracts

Services Contracts (Non-Construction)

Supplies Contracts

Provide OF 17 with each invitation for bids to facilitate bid identification and handling.

Record bids using SF 1409 and SF 1410 as specified in FAR 14.403(a).

Use OF 336 as a continuation sheet in solicitations as needed.

Use SF 1447 for simplified contract formats or as a substitute for SF 26 or SF 33, following agency instructions if provided.

Use SF 26 for awarding sealed bid contracts when bids were solicited on SF 33, ensuring Block 18 is used only for sealed-bid procurements.

Use SF 30 to amend invitations for bids as required by FAR 14.208(a).

Use SF 33 for soliciting bids and awarding contracts unless SF 26 is used for the award.

References done in this section

14.201-2Part I—The Schedule

14.201-9Simplified contract format

14.202-3Bid envelopes

14.408-1General

14.208Amendment of invitation for bids

14.403Recording of bids

53.2Prescription of Forms

53.214

Sealed bidding

FAR 53.214 mandates the use of specific standard and optional forms for each stage of the sealed bidding process to ensure consistency and compliance.

Overview

Key Rules

SF 26 (Award/Contract)
- Used for awarding sealed bid contracts for supplies or services when bids were solicited on SF 33; Block 18 is exclusive to sealed-bid procurements.
SF 30 (Amendment/Modification)
- Used to amend invitations for bids as required by FAR 14.208(a).
SF 33 (Solicitation, Offer and Award)
- Used for soliciting bids and awarding contracts unless SF 26 is used for the award.
SF 1447 (Solicitation/Contract)
- Used for simplified contract formats and may substitute for SF 26 or SF 33; agencies may issue further instructions.
SF 1409 & SF 1410 (Abstract of Offers)
- Used for recording bids as specified in FAR 14.403(a).
OF 17 (Offer Label)
- Provided with invitations for bids to aid in bid identification and handling.
OF 336 (Continuation Sheet)
- Used as a continuation sheet in solicitations as needed.

Responsibilities

Contracting Officers: Must use the prescribed forms at each stage of the sealed bidding process and follow related FAR citations for proper application.
Contractors: Should be familiar with the forms to ensure proper submission and handling of bids.
Agencies: May provide additional instructions for certain forms and must ensure compliance with form usage requirements.

Practical Implications

This section standardizes the documentation process for sealed bidding, reducing errors and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Contractors must use the correct forms to avoid bid rejection or administrative delays.
Common pitfalls include using the wrong form for a given stage or failing to follow agency-specific instructions.

53.214

Sealed bidding

FAR 53.214 mandates the use of specific standard and optional forms for each stage of the sealed bidding process to ensure consistency and compliance.

Overview

Key Rules

SF 26 (Award/Contract)
- Used for awarding sealed bid contracts for supplies or services when bids were solicited on SF 33; Block 18 is exclusive to sealed-bid procurements.
SF 30 (Amendment/Modification)
- Used to amend invitations for bids as required by FAR 14.208(a).
SF 33 (Solicitation, Offer and Award)
- Used for soliciting bids and awarding contracts unless SF 26 is used for the award.
SF 1447 (Solicitation/Contract)
- Used for simplified contract formats and may substitute for SF 26 or SF 33; agencies may issue further instructions.
SF 1409 & SF 1410 (Abstract of Offers)
- Used for recording bids as specified in FAR 14.403(a).
OF 17 (Offer Label)
- Provided with invitations for bids to aid in bid identification and handling.
OF 336 (Continuation Sheet)
- Used as a continuation sheet in solicitations as needed.

Responsibilities

Contracting Officers: Must use the prescribed forms at each stage of the sealed bidding process and follow related FAR citations for proper application.
Contractors: Should be familiar with the forms to ensure proper submission and handling of bids.
Agencies: May provide additional instructions for certain forms and must ensure compliance with form usage requirements.

Practical Implications

This section standardizes the documentation process for sealed bidding, reducing errors and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Contractors must use the correct forms to avoid bid rejection or administrative delays.
Common pitfalls include using the wrong form for a given stage or failing to follow agency-specific instructions.

53.214

Sealed bidding

FAR 53.214 mandates the use of specific standard and optional forms for each stage of the sealed bidding process to ensure consistency and compliance.

Overview

Key Rules

SF 26 (Award/Contract)
- Used for awarding sealed bid contracts for supplies or services when bids were solicited on SF 33; Block 18 is exclusive to sealed-bid procurements.
SF 30 (Amendment/Modification)
- Used to amend invitations for bids as required by FAR 14.208(a).
SF 33 (Solicitation, Offer and Award)
- Used for soliciting bids and awarding contracts unless SF 26 is used for the award.
SF 1447 (Solicitation/Contract)
- Used for simplified contract formats and may substitute for SF 26 or SF 33; agencies may issue further instructions.
SF 1409 & SF 1410 (Abstract of Offers)
- Used for recording bids as specified in FAR 14.403(a).
OF 17 (Offer Label)
- Provided with invitations for bids to aid in bid identification and handling.
OF 336 (Continuation Sheet)
- Used as a continuation sheet in solicitations as needed.

Responsibilities

Contracting Officers: Must use the prescribed forms at each stage of the sealed bidding process and follow related FAR citations for proper application.
Contractors: Should be familiar with the forms to ensure proper submission and handling of bids.
Agencies: May provide additional instructions for certain forms and must ensure compliance with form usage requirements.

Practical Implications

This section standardizes the documentation process for sealed bidding, reducing errors and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Contractors must use the correct forms to avoid bid rejection or administrative delays.
Common pitfalls include using the wrong form for a given stage or failing to follow agency-specific instructions.

53.214

Sealed bidding

FAR 53.214 mandates the use of specific standard and optional forms for each stage of the sealed bidding process to ensure consistency and compliance.

Overview

Key Rules

SF 26 (Award/Contract)
- Used for awarding sealed bid contracts for supplies or services when bids were solicited on SF 33; Block 18 is exclusive to sealed-bid procurements.
SF 30 (Amendment/Modification)
- Used to amend invitations for bids as required by FAR 14.208(a).
SF 33 (Solicitation, Offer and Award)
- Used for soliciting bids and awarding contracts unless SF 26 is used for the award.
SF 1447 (Solicitation/Contract)
- Used for simplified contract formats and may substitute for SF 26 or SF 33; agencies may issue further instructions.
SF 1409 & SF 1410 (Abstract of Offers)
- Used for recording bids as specified in FAR 14.403(a).
OF 17 (Offer Label)
- Provided with invitations for bids to aid in bid identification and handling.
OF 336 (Continuation Sheet)
- Used as a continuation sheet in solicitations as needed.

Responsibilities

Contracting Officers: Must use the prescribed forms at each stage of the sealed bidding process and follow related FAR citations for proper application.
Contractors: Should be familiar with the forms to ensure proper submission and handling of bids.
Agencies: May provide additional instructions for certain forms and must ensure compliance with form usage requirements.

Practical Implications

This section standardizes the documentation process for sealed bidding, reducing errors and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Contractors must use the correct forms to avoid bid rejection or administrative delays.
Common pitfalls include using the wrong form for a given stage or failing to follow agency-specific instructions.

Features

Win more contracts with AI-powered tools and comprehensive market intelligence

Overview

Key Rules

Responsibilities

Practical Implications

Applicability

Compliance

Key Terms

Cross References

Other References

Overview

Key Rules

Responsibilities

Practical Implications

Applicability

Compliance

Key Terms

Cross References

Other References

Overview

Key Rules

Responsibilities

Practical Implications

Overview

Key Rules

Responsibilities

Practical Implications

Overview

Key Rules

Responsibilities

Practical Implications

Overview

Key Rules

Responsibilities

Practical Implications