Overview
This section prescribes the specific Standard Forms (SF) and Optional Forms (OF) required for the solicitation, receipt of proposals, and award of negotiated contracts under FAR Part 15. It excludes acquisitions related to construction, architect-engineer services, and simplified acquisition procedures.
Key Rules
- SF 26 (Award/Contract): Used for negotiated contracts requiring bilateral signatures; however, Block 18 is expressly prohibited for use in negotiated procurements.
- SF 30 (Amendment of Solicitation/Modification of Contract): The standard form for amending Requests for Proposals (RFPs) or Requests for Information (RFIs).
- SF 33 (Solicitation, Offer and Award): A multipurpose form used for both the solicitation and the award phases; awards under an SF 33 solicitation may also be executed using OF 307 or SF 26.
- OF 308 & OF 309: These optional forms provide specific alternatives for the solicitation and amendment of negotiated acquisitions, with OF 307 serving as the corresponding award document for OF 308.
- Proposal Identification: OF 17 (Offer Label) is used to facilitate the physical identification and administrative handling of incoming proposals.
Practical Implications
- Contracting Officers must select the appropriate award form (SF 26, SF 33, or OF 307) based on whether the award is unilateral or requires bilateral signatures.
- Contractors should utilize the OF 17 label when provided in a solicitation to ensure their proposals are correctly routed and handled by the agency's mailroom or contracting office.