Overview
In the context of FAR 52.214 (Sealed Bidding), the designation "[Reserved]" serves as a structural placeholder indicating that a specific section, subsection, or clause number is currently inactive, has been deleted, or has been relocated elsewhere in the FAR. This allows the FAR to maintain a consistent numbering system for the surrounding active provisions, such as those governing bid amendments, submissions, and late arrivals.
Key Rules
- Structural Continuity: The primary rule for "[Reserved]" sections is to preserve the integrity of the FAR's numbering schema. By keeping the number but removing the text, the FAR ensures that cross-references in existing contracts and other regulatory parts (like FAR Part 14) do not become broken or obsolete.
- No Regulatory Authority: A section marked as "[Reserved]" carries no legal weight, imposes no obligations on contractors, and grants no authority to the Government. It is effectively a nullity for the purposes of contract performance or bid evaluation.
- Historical Deletion: Most reserved sections in the 52.214 series (such as 52.214-1, -2, or -8) previously contained active clauses that were removed during "Federal Acquisition Circular" updates to simplify the sealed bidding process or consolidate requirements into broader provisions.
- Placeholder for Future Use: While usually indicating a deletion, a reserved section can also be a "holding spot" for future regulations that the FAR Council intends to implement within a specific topical sequence.
Practical Implications
- Solicitation Review: Contractors should skip "[Reserved]" sections when reviewing an Invitation for Bids (IFB); there is no information to analyze and no "hidden" requirements associated with those specific numbers.
- Document Consistency: When drafting subcontracts or internal compliance matrices, professionals should mirror the FAR’s numbering—including the reserved designations—to ensure their documentation aligns perfectly with the standard federal numbering system used by Contracting Officers.