Overview
This section mandates that Contracting Officers use the most recent versions of standard forms as prescribed in the FAR and hosted on the General Services Administration (GSA) website.
Key Rules
- Mandatory Use: Contracting officers "shall" use the current editions of forms, making this a binding requirement.
- Official Source: The authoritative locations for identifying current forms and their edition dates are FAR subpart 53.2 and the GSA forms library (https://www.gsa.gov/forms).
- Exceptions: Use of older or alternative editions is prohibited unless specifically authorized elsewhere within the regulation.
Practical Implications
- Compliance Checks: Contractors and government personnel must verify form edition dates against the GSA website to prevent administrative delays or the invalidation of procurement documents.
- Standardization: This rule ensures uniformity across federal agencies by preventing the use of obsolete terms or outdated legal clauses found in previous form versions.