Overview
FAR 53.106 provides authorization for contracting offices to request exceptions to the standard physical design and printing specifications of prescribed Standard Forms (SFs). This section outlines specific permissible variations for common forms to meet specialized administrative or mechanical requirements.
Key Rules
- Approval Process: Any request for special construction or printing must follow the exception procedures established in FAR 53.103.
- Permissible Variations:
- SF 18 (RFQ): May omit vertical lines, be produced as masters, or used in carbon interleaved sets.
- SFs 26, 30, 33, 1447, and 1442: Can be produced as die-cut stencils or reproducible masters for high-volume duplication.
- SF 44 (Purchase Order-Invoice-Voucher): Can include pre-printed serial numbers, office addresses, and specific paper weights/constructions.
- SF 1442 (Construction): Agencies may add specific wording, provided they do not alter the prescribed sequence or wording of the standard items.
Practical Implications
- Operational Flexibility: Allows agencies to adapt forms for use with specific technology, such as automated contract writing systems or legacy stencil-based printing.
- Standardization vs. Customization: While physical formats (like paper weight or carbon copies) can be adjusted for field use, the legal integrity of the form's content must remain intact to ensure consistency across the federal government.