Overview
This section outlines the formal procedures for finalizing a contract award, specifying how the Contracting Officer (CO) must execute the document and when bilateral signatures are required. It ensures that the final contract accurately reflects the agreed-upon terms between the government and the offeror.
Key Rules
- Method of Award: The CO must award the contract by furnishing the executed contract or a formal notice of award to the successful offeror.
- Bilateral Signatures: If the final award document contains any information that differs from the offeror's latest signed proposal or written amendments, both the CO and the offeror must sign the document.
- Partial Awards: When awarding only a portion of the items solicited, the award notice must explicitly state that the government reserves the right to make subsequent awards for the remaining items within the proposal acceptance period.
- Form Requirements: If standard forms (OF 307, SF 26, or SF 33) are not used, the substitute document must incorporate specific acceptance and agreement language, signatures, and dates as mandated by the FAR.
Practical Implications
- Preventing Scope Creep: The requirement for bilateral signatures on modified awards protects contractors from "hidden" changes or terms inserted by the government that were not part of the final proposal revision.
- Flexibility in Procurement: Agencies can move forward with partial awards to meet immediate needs while maintaining the legal right to award remaining line items later without re-soliciting.