Overview
This section prescribes the Standard Forms (SF) used by government agencies to conduct preaward surveys, which evaluate whether a prospective contractor has the necessary capacity, capability, and financial resources to perform a specific contract.
Key Rules
- Mandatory Forms: Establishes the specific forms required for preaward surveys as referenced in FAR Subpart 9.1 (Responsibility of Prospective Contractors).
- Survey Categories: Defines six distinct evaluation areas for responsibility determinations:
- SF 1403: General information and summary.
- SF 1404: Technical capabilities and equipment.
- SF 1405: Production capacity and scheduling.
- SF 1406: Quality assurance systems and standards.
- SF 1407: Financial capability and solvency.
- SF 1408: Adequacy of the contractor's accounting system.
- Accessibility: Authorizes the local reproduction of these forms and directs personnel to the GSA Forms Library for procurement.
Practical Implications
- Audit Readiness: Prospective contractors must be prepared to provide detailed documentation matching these forms if a Contracting Officer initiates a preaward survey to verify responsibility.
- Accounting System Compliance: The SF 1408 is a critical hurdle for companies seeking their first cost-reimbursement contract, as it serves as the standard checklist for determining if an accounting system is adequate for tracking contract costs.