Subpart 14.2 - Solicitation of Bids    **Parent topic:** Part 14 - Sealed Bidding14.201 Preparation of invitations for bids.    14.201-1 Uniform contract format.       (a) Contracting officers shall prepare invitations for bids and contracts using the uniform contract format outlined in Table 14-1 to the maximum practicable extent. The use of the format facilitates preparation of the solicitation and contract as well as reference to, and use of, those documents by bidders and contractors. It need not be used for acquisition of the following:                                                         (1) Construction (see part  36).                                                            (2) Shipbuilding (including design, construction, and conversion), ship overhaul, and ship repair.                                                            (3) Subsistence items.                                                            (4) Supplies or services requiring special contract forms prescribed elsewhere in this regulation that are inconsistent with the uniform contract format.                                                            (5) Firm-fixed-price or fixed-price with economic price adjustment acquisitions that use the simplified contract format (see 14.201-9).                                                                             (b) Information suitable for inclusion in invitations for bids under the uniform contract format shall also be included in invitations for bids not subject to that format if applicable.                                          (c) Solicitations to which the uniform contract format applies shall include PartsI, II, III, and IV. If any section of the uniform contract format does not apply, the contracting officer should so mark that section in the solicitation. Upon award, the contracting officer shall not physically include PartIV in the resulting contract, but shall retain it in the contract file. (See 14.201(c).) Award by acceptance of a bid on the award portion of Standard Form 33, Solicitation, Offer and Award (SF 33), Standard Form 26, Award/Contract (SF 26), or Standard Form 1447, Solicitation/Contract (SF 1447), incorporates Section K, Representations, certifications, and other statements of bidders, in the resultant contract even though not physically attached. The representations and certifications shall be incorporated by reference in the contract by using 52.204-19                   (see 4.1202(b)) or for acquisitions of commercial products and commercial services see 52.212-4(v).                                 Table 14-1 - Uniform Contract FormatSection                      TitlePartI-The ScheduleA                      Solicitation/contract formB                      Supplies or services and pricesC                      Description/specificationsD                      Packaging and markingE                      Inspection and acceptanceF                      Deliveries or performanceG                      Contract administration dataH                      Special contract requirementsPartII-Contract ClausesI                      Contract clausesPartIII-List of Documents, Exhibits, and OtherAttachmentsJ                      List of documents, exhibits, and other attachmentsPartIV-Representations and InstructionsK                      Representations, certifications, and other statements of biddersL                      Instructions, conditions, and notices to biddersM                      Evaluation factors for award14.201-2 Part I—The Schedule.       The contracting officer shall prepare the Schedule as follows:                                       (a)                    						            Section A, Solicitation/contract form.                                                         (1)                          								                Prepare the invitation for bids on SF 33, unless otherwise permitted by this regulation. The SF 33 is the first page of the solicitation and includes Section A of the uniform contract format. When the SF 1447 is used as the solicitation document, the information in subdivisions (a)(2)(i) and (a)(2)(iv) of this subsection shall be inserted in block9 of the SF 1447.                                                            (2)                          								                When the SF 33 or SF 1447 is not used, include the following on the first page of the invitation for bids:                                                                           (i)                                										                    Name, address, and location of issuing activity, including room and building where bids must be submitted.                                                                              (ii)                                										                    Invitation for bids number.                                                                              (iii)                                										                    Date of issuance.                                                                              (iv)                                										                    Time specified for receipt of bids.                                                                              (v)                                										                    Number of pages.                                                                              (vi)                                										                    Requisition or other purchase authority.                                                                              (vii)                                										                    Requirement for bidder to provide its name and complete address, including street, city, county, state, and ZIP code.                                                                              (viii)                                										                    A statement that bidders should include in the bid the address to which payment should be mailed, if that address is different from that of the bidder.                                                                                                                            (b)                   *Section B, Supplies or services and prices*. Include a brief description of the supplies or services; *e.g.*, line item number, national stock number/part number if applicable, title or name identifying the supplies or services, and quantities (see part  11). The SF 33 and the SF 1447 may be supplemented as necessary by the OptionalForm336 (OF 336), Continuation Sheet.                                          (c)                   *Section C, Description/specifications*. Include any description or specifications needed in addition to Section B to permit full and open competition (see part  11).                                          (d)                   *Section D, Packaging and marking.* Provide packaging, packing, preservation, and marking requirements, if any.                                          (e)                   *Section E, Inspection and acceptance*. Include inspection, acceptance, quality assurance, and reliability requirements (see part  46, Quality Assurance).                                          (f)                   *Section F, Deliveries or performance*. Specify the requirements for time, place, and method of delivery or performance (see subpart  11.4, Delivery or Performance Schedules).                                          (g)                   *Section G, Contract administration data*. Include any required accounting and appropriation data and any required contract administration information or instructions other than those on the solicitation form.                                          (h)                   *Section H, Special contract requirements*. Include a clear statement of any special contract requirements that are not included in Section I, Contract clauses, or in other sections of the uniform contract format.14.201-3 PartII-Contract clauses.       *Section I, Contract clauses*. The contracting officer shall include in this section the clauses required by law or by this regulation and any additional clauses expected to apply to any resulting contract, if these clauses are not required to be included in any other section of the uniform contract format.14.201-4 PartIII-Documents, exhibits, and other attachments.       *Section J, List of documents, exhibits, and other attachments.* The contracting officer shall list the title, date, and number of pages for each attached document.14.201-5 PartIV-Representations and instructions.       The contracting officer shall prepare the representations and instructions as follows:                                       (a)                   *Section K, Representations, certifications, and other statements of bidders*. Include in this section those solicitation provisions that require representations, certifications, or the submission of other information by bidders.                                          (b)                   *Section L, Instructions, conditions, and notices to bidders.* Insert in this section solicitation provisions and other information and instructions not required elsewhere to guide bidders. Invitations shall include the time and place for bid openings, and shall advise bidders that bids will be evaluated without discussions (see 52.214-10 and, for construction contracts, 52.214-19).                                          (c)                   *Section M, Evaluation factors for award*. Identify the price related factors other than the bid price that will be considered in evaluating bids and awarding the contract. See 14.201-8.14.201-6 Solicitation provisions.       (a)                    						            The provisions prescribed in this subsection apply to preparation and submission of bids in general. See other FAR parts for provisions and clauses related to specific acquisition requirements.                                          (b)                    						            Insert in all invitations for bids the provisions at-                                                         (1)                         52.214-3, Amendments to Invitations For Bids; and                                                            (2)                         52.214-4, False Statements in Bids.                                                                             (c)                    						            Insert the following provisions in invitations for bids:                                                         (1)                         52.214-5, Submission of Bids.                                                            (2)                         52.214-6, Explanation to Prospective Bidders.                                                            (3)                         52.214-7, Late Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals of Bids.                                                                             (d)                    						            [Reserved]                                          (e)                    						            Insert in all invitations for bids, except those for construction, the provisions at 52.214-10, Contract Award-Sealed Bidding.                                          (f)                    						            Insert in invitations for bids to which the uniform contract format applies, the provision at 52.214-12, Preparation of Bids.                                          (g)                    						            [Reserved]                                          (h)                    						            Insert the provision at 52.214-14, Place of Performance-Sealed Bidding, in invitations for bids except those in which the place of performance is specified by the government.                                          (i)                    						            Insert the provision at 52.214-15, Period for Acceptance of Bids, in invitations for bids (IFB’s) that are not issued on SF 33 or SF 1447 except IFB’s-                                                         (1)                          								                For construction work; or                                                            (2)                          								                In which the government specifies a minimum acceptance period.                                                                             (j)                    						            Insert the provision at 52.214-16, Minimum Bid Acceptance Period, in invitations for bids, except for construction, if the contracting officer determines that a minimum acceptance period must be specified.                                          (k)                    						            [Reserved]                                          (l)                    						            Insert the provision at 52.214-18, Preparation of Bids-Construction, in invitations for bids for construction work.                                          (m)                    						            Insert the provision at 52.214-19, Contract Award-Sealed Bidding-Construction, in all invitations for bids for construction work.                                          (n)                    						            [Reserved]                                          (o)                                                         (1)                          								                Insert the provision at 52.214-20, Bid Samples, in invitations for bids if bid samples are required.                                                            (2)                          								                If it appears that the conditions in 14.202-4(e)(1) will apply and the contracting officer anticipates granting waivers and-                                                                           (i)                                										                    If the nature of the required product does not necessitate limiting the grant of a waiver to a product produced at the same plant in which the product previously acquired or tested was produced, use the provision with its Alternate I; or                                                                              (ii)                                										                    If the nature of the required product necessitates limiting the grant of a waiver to a product produced at the same plant in which the product previously acquired or tested was produced, use the provision with its Alternate II.                                                                                                           (3)                          								                See 14.202-4(e)(2) regarding waiving the requirement for all bidders.                                                                             (p)                                                         (1)                          								                Insert the provision at 52.214-21, Descriptive Literature, in invitations for bids if-                                                                           (i)                                										                    Descriptive literature is required to evaluate the technical acceptability of an offered product; and                                                                              (ii)                                										                    The required information will not be readily available unless it is submitted by bidders.                                                                                                           (2)                          								                Use the basic clause with its Alternate I if the possibility exists that the contracting officer may waive the requirement for furnishing descriptive literature for a bidder offering a previously supplied product that meets specification requirements of the current solicitation.                                                            (3)                          								                See 14.202-5(d)(2) regarding waiving the requirement for all bidders.                                                                             (q)                    						            Insert the provision at 52.214-22, Evaluation of Bids for Multiple Awards, in invitations for bids if the contracting officer determines that multiple awards might be made if doing so is economically advantageous to the government.                                          (r)                    						            Insert the provision at 52.214-23, Late Submissions, Modifications, Revisions, and Withdrawals of Technical Proposals Under Two-Step Sealed Bidding, in solicitations for technical proposals in step one of two-step sealed bidding.                                          (s)                    						            Insert the provision at 52.214-24, Multiple Technical Proposals, in solicitations for technical proposals in step one of two-step sealed bidding if the contracting officer permits the submission of multiple technical proposals.                                          (t)                    						            Insert the provision at 52.214-25, Step Two of Two-Step Sealed Bidding, in invitations for bids issued under step two of two-step sealed bidding.                                          (u)                    						            [Reserved]                                          (v)                    						            Insert the provision at 52.214-31, Facsimile Bids, in solicitations if facsimile bids are authorized (see 14.202-7).                                          (w)                    						            Insert the provision at 52.214-34, Submission of Offers in the English Language, in solicitations that include any of the clauses prescribed in 25.1101 or 25.1102. It may be included in other solicitations when the contracting officer decides that it is necessary.                                          (x)                    						            Insert the provision at 52.214-35, Submission of Offers in U.S. Currency, in solicitations that include any of the clauses prescribed in 25.1101 or 25.1102, unless the contracting officer includes the clause at 52.225-17, Evaluation of Foreign Currency Offers, as prescribed in 25.1103(d). It may be included in other solicitations when the contracting officer decides that it is necessary.14.201-7 Contract clauses.       (a)                    						            When contracting by sealed bidding, the contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.214-26, Audit and Records-Sealed Bidding, in solicitations and contracts as follows:                                                         (1)                          								                Use the basic clause if-                                                                           (i)                                										                    The acquisition will not use funds appropriated or otherwise made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Pub. L. 111-5); and                                                                              (ii)                                										                    The contract amount is expected to exceed the threshold at 15.403-4(a)(1) for submission of certified cost or pricing data.                                                                                                           (2)                                                                           (i)                                										                    If the acquisition will use funds appropriated or otherwise made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, use the clause with its Alternate I in all solicitations and contracts.                                                                              (ii)                                                                                             (A)                                      												                        In the case of a bilateral contract modification that will use funds appropriated or otherwise made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the contracting officer shall specify applicability of Alternate I to that modification.                                                                                                (B)                                      												                        In the case of a task- or delivery-order contract in which not all orders will use funds appropriated or otherwise made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the contracting officer shall specify the task or delivery orders to which Alternate I applies.                                                                                                                                                                                       (b)                                                         (1)                          								                When contracting by sealed bidding, the contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.214-27, Price Reduction for Defective Certified Cost or Pricing Data-Modifications-Sealed Bidding, in solicitations and contracts if the contract amount is expected to exceed the threshold for submission of certified cost or pricing data at 15.403-4(a)(1).                                                            (2)                          								                In exceptional cases, the head of the contracting activity may waive the requirement for inclusion of the clause in a contract with a foreign government or agency of that government. The authorizations for the waiver and the reasons for granting it shall be in writing.                                                                             (c)                                                         (1)                          								                When contracting by sealed bidding, the contracting officer shall—                                                                           (i)                                										                    Insert the clause at 52.214-28, Subcontractor Certified Cost or Pricing Data—Modifications—Sealed Bidding, in solicitations and contracts if the contract amount is expected to exceed the threshold for submission of certified cost or pricing data at 15.403-4(a)(1); or                                                                              (ii)                                										                    Upon request of a contractor in connection with a prime contract entered into before July 1, 2018, the contracting officer shall modify the contract without requiring consideration to replace clause 52.214-28, Subcontractor Certified Cost or Pricing Data—Modifications—Sealed Bidding, with its Alternate I.                                                                                                           (2)                          								                In exceptional cases, the head of the contracting activity may waive the requirement for inclusion of the clause in a contract with a foreign government or agency of that government. The authorizations for the waiver and the reasons for granting it shall be in writing.                                                                             (d)                    						            When contracting by sealed bidding the contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.214-29, Order of Precedence-Sealed Bidding, in solicitations and contracts to which the uniform contract format applies.14.201-8 Price related factors.       The factors set forth in paragraphs (a) through (e) of this subsection may be applicable in evaluation of bids for award and shall be included in the solicitation when applicable. (See 14.201-5(c).)                                       (a)                    						            Foreseeable costs or delays to the Government resulting from such factors as differences in inspection, locations of supplies, and transportation. If bids are on an f.o.b. origin basis (see 47.303 and 47.305), transportation costs to the designated points shall be considered in determining the lowest cost to the Government.                                          (b)                    						            Changes made, or requested by the bidder, in any of the provisions of the invitation for bids, if the change does not constitute a ground for rejection under 14.404.                                          (c)                    						            Advantages or disadvantages to the Government that might result from making more than one award (see 14.201-6(q)). The contracting officer shall assume, for the purpose of making multiple awards, that $500 would be the administrative cost to the Government for issuing and administering each contract awarded under a solicitation. Individual awards shall be for the items or combinations of items that result in the lowest aggregate cost to the Government, including the assumed administrative costs.                                          (d)                    						            Federal, state, and local taxes (see part  29).                                          (e)                    						            Origin of supplies, and, if foreign, the application of the Buy American statute or any other prohibition on foreign purchases (see part  25).14.201-9 Simplified contract format.       *Policy*. For firm-fixed-price or fixed-price with economic price adjustment acquisitions of supplies and services, the contracting officer may use the simplified contract format in lieu of the uniform contract format (see 14.201-1). The contracting officer has flexibility in preparation and organization of the simplified contract format. However, the following format should be used to the maximum practical extent:                                       (a)                   *Solicitation/contract form*. Standard Form (SF) 1447, Solicitation/Contract, shall be used as the first page of the solicitation.                                          (b)                   *Contract schedule*. Include the following for each line item:                                                         (1)                          								                Line item number.                                                            (2)                          								                Description of supplies or services, or data sufficient to identify the requirement.                                                            (3)                          								                Quantity and unit of issue.                                                            (4)                          								                Unit price and amount.                                                            (5)                          								                Packaging and marking requirements.                                                            (6)                          								                Inspection and acceptance, quality assurance, and reliability requirements.                                                            (7)                          								                Place of delivery, performance and delivery dates, period of performance, and f.o.b. point.                                                            (8)                          								                Other item-peculiar information as necessary (*e.g.,* individual fund citations).                                                                             (c)                   *Clauses*. Include the clauses required by this regulation. Additional clauses shall be incorporated only when considered absolutely necessary to the particular acquisition.                                          (d)                   *List of documents and attachments*. Include if necessary.                                          (e)                    						            Representations and instructions-                                                         (1)                         *Representations and certifications*. Insert those solicitation provisions that require representations, certifications, or the submission of other information by offerors.                                                            (2)                         *Instructions, conditions, and notices*. Include the solicitation provisions required by 14.201-6. Include any other information/instructions necessary to guide offerors.                                                            (3)                         *Evaluation factors for award*. Insert all evaluation factors and any significant subfactors for award.                                                            (4)                          								                Upon award, the contracting officer need not physically include the provisions in paragraphs (e)(1), (2), and (3) of this subsection in the resulting contract, but shall retain them in the contract file. Award by acceptance of a bid on the award portion of SF 1447 incorporates the representations, certifications, and other statements of bidders in the resultant contract even though not physically attached.14.202 General rules for solicitation of bids.    14.202-1 Bidding time.       (a)                   *Policy*. A reasonable time for prospective bidders to prepare and submit bids shall be allowed in all invitations, consistent with the needs of the Government. (For construction contracts, see 36.213-3(a).) A bidding time (*i.e.,* the time between issuance of the solicitation and opening of bids) of at least 30 calendar days shall be provided, when synopsis is required by subpart  5.2.                                          (b)                   *Factors to be considered*. Because of unduly limited bidding time, some potential sources may be precluded from bidding and others may be forced to include amounts for contingencies that, with additional time, could be eliminated. To avoid unduly restricting competition or paying higher-than-necessary prices, consideration shall be given to such factors as the following in establishing a reasonable bidding time:                                                         (1)                          								                Degree of urgency;                                                            (2)                          								                Complexity of requirement;                                                            (3)                          								                Anticipated extent of subcontracting;                                                            (4)                          								                Whether use was made of presolicitation notices;                                                            (5)                          								                Geographic distribution of bidders; and                                                            (6)                          								                Normal transmittal time for both invitations and bids.14.202-2 [Reserved]14.202-3 Bid envelopes.       (a)                    						            Postage or envelopes bearing "Postage and Fees Paid" indicia shall not be distributed with the invitation for bids or otherwise supplied to prospective bidders.                                          (b)                    						            To provide for ready identification and proper handling of bids, Optional Form 17, Offer Label, may be furnished with each bid set. The form may be obtained from the General Services Administration (see 53.107).14.202-4 Bid samples.       (a)                    						            Policy.                                                         (1)                          								                Bidders shall not be required to furnish bid samples unless there are characteristics of the product that cannot be described adequately in the specification or purchase description.                                                            (2)                          								                Bid samples will be used only to determine the responsiveness of the bid and will not be used to determine a bidder’s ability to produce the required items.                                                            (3)                          								                Bid samples may be examined for any required characteristic, whether or not such characteristic is adequately described in the specification, if listed in accordance with paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this section.                                                            (4)                          								                Bids will be rejected as nonresponsive if the sample fails to conform to each of the characteristics listed in the invitation.                                                                             (b)                   *When to use*. The use of bid samples would be appropriate for products that must be suitable from the standpoint of balance, facility of use, general "feel," color, pattern, or other characteristics that cannot be described adequately in the specification. However, when more than a minor portion of the characteristics of the product cannot be adequately described in the specification, products should be acquired by two-step sealed bidding or negotiation, as appropriate.                                          (c)                   *Justification*. The reasons why acceptable products cannot be acquired without the submission of bid samples shall be set forth in the contract file, except where the submission is required by the formal specifications (Federal, Military, or other) applicable to the acquisition.                                          (d)                    						            Requirements for samples in invitations for bids.                                                         (1)                          								                Invitations for bids shall-                                                                           (i)                                										                    State the number and, if appropriate, the size of the samples to be submitted and otherwise fully describe the samples required; and                                                                              (ii)                                										                    List all the characteristics for which the samples will be examined.                                                                                                           (2)                          								                If bid samples are required, see 14.201-6(o).                                                                             (e)                    						            Waiver of requirement for bid samples.                                                         (1)                          								                The requirement for furnishing bid samples may be waived when a bidder offers a product previously or currently being contracted for or tested by the Government and found to comply with specification requirements conforming in every material respect with those in the current invitation for bids. When the requirement may be waived, see 14.201-6(o)(2).                                                            (2)                          								                Where samples required by a Federal, Military, or other formal specification are not considered necessary and a waiver of the sample requirements of the specification has been authorized, a statement shall be included in the invitation that notwithstanding the requirements of the specification, samples will not be required.                                                                             (f)                   *Unsolicited samples*. Bid samples furnished with a bid that are not required by the invitation generally will not be considered as qualifying the bid and will be disregarded. However, the bid sample will not be disregarded if it is clear from the bid or accompanying papers that the bidder’s intention was to qualify the bid. (See 14.404-2(d) if the qualification does not conform to the solicitation.)                                          (g)                    						            Handling bid samples.                                                         (1)                          								                Samples that are not destroyed in testing shall be returned to bidders at their request and expense, unless otherwise specified in the invitation.                                                            (2)                          								                Disposition instructions shall be requested from bidders and samples disposed of accordingly.                                                            (3)                          								                Samples ordinarily will be returned collect to the address from which received if disposition instructions are not received within 30 days. Small items may be returned by mail, postage prepaid.                                                            (4)                          								                Samples that are to be retained for inspection purposes in connection with deliveries shall be transmitted to the inspecting activity concerned, with instructions to retain the sample until completion of the contract or until disposition instructions are furnished.                                                            (5)                          								                Where samples are consumed or their usefulness is impaired by tests, they will be disposed of as scrap unless the bidder requests their return.14.202-5 Descriptive literature.       (a)                   *Policy*. Contracting officers must not require bidders to furnish descriptive literature unless it is needed before award to determine whether the products offered meet the specification and to establish exactly what the bidder proposes to furnish.                                          (b)                   *Justification*. The contracting officer must document in the contract file the reasons why product acceptability cannot be determined without the submission of descriptive literature, except when the contract specifications require submission.                                          (c)                    						            Requirements of invitation for bids.                                                         (1)                          								                The invitation must clearly state-                                                                           (i)                                										                    What descriptive literature the bidders must furnish;                                                                              (ii)                                										                    The purpose for requiring the literature;                                                                              (iii)                                										                    The extent of its consideration in the evaluation of bids; and                                                                              (iv)                                										                    The rules that will apply if a bidder fails to furnish the literature before bid opening or if the literature provided does not comply with the requirements of the invitation.                                                                                                           (2)                          								                If bidders must furnish descriptive literature, see 14.201-6(p).                                                                             (d)                    						            Waiver of requirement for descriptive literature.                                                         (1)                          								                The contracting officer may waive the requirement for descriptive literature if-                                                                           (i)                                										                    The bidder states in the bid that the product being offered is the same as a product previously or currently being furnished to the contracting activity; and                                                                              (ii)                                										                    The contracting officer determines that the product offered by the bidder complies with the specification requirements of the current invitation for bids. When the contracting officer waives the requirement, see 14.201-6(p)(2).                                                                                                           (2)                          								                When descriptive literature is not necessary and a waiver of literature requirements of a specification has been authorized, the contracting officer must include a statement in the invitation that, despite the requirements of the specifications, descriptive literature will not be required.                                                            (3)                          								                If the solicitation provides for a waiver, a bidder may submit a bid on the basis of either the descriptive literature furnished with the bid or a previously furnished product. If the bid is submitted on one basis, the bidder may not have it considered on the other basis after bids are opened.                                                                             (e)                   *Unsolicited descriptive literature*. If descriptive literature is furnished when it is not required by the invitation for bids, the procedures set forth in 14.202-4(f) must be followed.14.202-6 Final review of invitations for bids.       Each invitation for bids shall be thoroughly reviewed before issuance to detect and correct discrepancies or ambiguities that could limit competition or result in the receipt of nonresponsive bids. Contracting officers are responsible for the reviews.14.202-7 Facsimile bids.       (a)                    						            Unless prohibited or otherwise restricted by agency procedures, contracting officers may authorize facsimile bids (see 14.201-6(v)). In determining whether or not to authorize facsimile bids, the contracting officer shall consider factors such as-                                                         (1)                          								                Anticipated bid size and volume;                                                            (2)                          								                Urgency of the requirement;                                                            (3)                          								                Frequency of price changes;                                                            (4)                          								                Availability, reliability, speed, and capacity of the receiving facsimile equipment; and                                                            (5)                          								                Adequacy of administrative procedures and controls for receiving, identifying, recording, and safeguarding facsimile bids, and ensuring their timely delivery to the bids opening location.                                                                             (b)                    						            If facsimile bids are authorized, contracting officers may, after the date set for bid opening, request the apparently successful offeror to provide the complete, original signed bid.14.202-8 Electronic bids.       In accordance with subpart  4.5, contracting officers may authorize use of electronic commerce for submission of bids. If electronic bids are authorized, the solicitation shall specify the electronic commerce method(s) that bidders may use.14.203 Methods of soliciting bids.    14.203-1 Transmittal to prospective bidders.       Invitations for bids or presolicitation notices must be provided in accordance with 5.102. When a contracting office is located in the United States, any solicitation sent to a prospective bidder located outside the United States shall be sent by electronic data interchange or air mail if security classification permits.14.203-2 Dissemination of information concerning invitations for bids.       Procedures concerning display of invitations for bids in a public place, information releases to newspapers and trade journals, paid advertisements, and synopsizing through the Governmentwide point of entry (GPE) are set forth in 5.101 and subpart  5.2.14.203-3 Master solicitation.       The master solicitation is provided to potential sources who are requested to retain it for continued and repetitive use. Individual solicitations must reference the date of the current master solicitation and identify any changes. The contracting officer must-                                       (a)                    						            Make available copies of the master solicitation on request; and                                          (b)                    						            Provide the cognizant contract administration activity a current copy of the master solicitation.14.204 Records of invitations for bids and records of bids.       (a)                    						            Each contracting office shall retain a record of each invitation that it issues and each abstract or record of bids. Contracting officers shall review and utilize the information available in connection with subsequent acquisitions of the same or similar items.                                          (b)                    						            The file for each invitation shall show the distribution that was made and the date the invitation was issued. The names and addresses of prospective bidders who requested the invitation and were not included on the original solicitation list shall be added to the list and made a part of the record.14.205 Presolicitation notices.       In lieu of initially forwarding complete bid sets, the contracting officer may send presolicitation notices to concerns. The notice shall-                                       (a)                    						            Specify the final date for receipt of requests for a complete bid set;                                          (b)                    						            Briefly describe the requirement and furnish other essential information to enable concerns to determine whether they have an interest in the invitation; and                                          (c)                    						            Normally not include drawings, plans, and specifications. The return date of the notice must be sufficiently in advance of the mailing date of the invitation for bids to permit an accurate estimate of the number of bid sets required. Bid sets shall be sent to concerns that request them in response to the notice.14.206 [Reserved]14.207 Pre-bid conference.       A pre-bid conference may be used, generally in a complex acquisition, as a means of briefing prospective bidders and explaining complicated specifications and requirements to them as early as possible after the invitation has been issued and before the bids are opened. It shall never be used as a substitute for amending a defective or ambiguous invitation. The conference shall be conducted in accordance with the procedure prescribed in 15.201.14.208 Amendment of invitation for bids.       (a)                    						            If it becomes necessary to make changes in quantity, specifications, delivery schedules, opening dates, etc., or to correct a defective or ambiguous invitation, such changes shall be accomplished by amendment of the invitation for bids using Standard Form 30, Amendment of Solicitation/ Modification of Contract. The fact that a change was mentioned at a pre-bid conference does not relieve the necessity for issuing an amendment. Amendments shall be sent, before the time for bid opening, to everyone to whom invitations have been furnished and shall be displayed in the bid room.                                          (b)                    						            Before amending an invitation for bids, the contracting officer shall consider the period of time remaining until bid opening and the need to extend this period.                                          (c)                    						            Any information given to a prospective bidder concerning an invitation for bids shall be furnished promptly to all other prospective bidders as an amendment to the invitation (1) if such information is necessary for bidders to submit bids or (2) if the lack of such information would be prejudicial to uninformed bidders. The information shall be furnished even though a pre-bid conference is held. No award shall be made on the invitation unless such amendment has been issued in sufficient time to permit all prospective bidders to consider such information in submitting or modifying their bids.14.209 Cancellation of invitations before opening.       (a)                    						            The cancellation of an invitation for bids usually involves a loss of time, effort, and money spent by the Government and bidders. Invitations should not be cancelled unless cancellation is clearly in the public interest; *e.g.*,                                                         (1)                          								                Where there is no longer a requirement for the supplies or services; or                                                            (2)                          								                Where amendments to the invitation would be of such magnitude that a new invitation is desirable.                                                                             (b)                    						            When an invitation issued other than electronically is cancelled, bids that have been received shall be returned unopened to the bidders and notice of cancellation shall be sent to all prospective bidders to whom invitations were issued. When an invitation issued electronically is cancelled, a general notice of cancellation shall be posted electronically, the bids received shall not be viewed, and the bids shall be purged from primary and backup data storage systems.                                          (c)                    						            The notice of cancellation shall-(1) identify the invitation for bids by number and short title or subject matter, (2) briefly explain the reason the invitation is being cancelled, and (3) where appropriate, assure prospective bidders that they will be given an opportunity to bid on any resolicitation of bids or any future requirements for the type of supplies or services involved. Cancellations shall be recorded in accordance with 14.403(d).14.210 Qualified products.       (See subpart  9.2.)14.211 Release of acquisition information.       (a)                   *Before solicitation*. Information concerning proposed acquisitions shall not be released outside the Government before solicitation except for presolicitation notices in accordance with 14.205 or 36.213-2, or long-range acquisition estimates in accordance with 5.404, or synopses in accordance with 5.201. Within the Government, such information shall be restricted to those having a legitimate interest. Releases of information shall be made (1)to all prospective bidders, and (2)as nearly as possible at the same time, so that one prospective bidder shall not be given unfair advantage over another. See 3.104 regarding requirements for proprietary and source selection information including access to and disclosure thereof.                                          (b)                   *After solicitation*. Discussions with prospective bidders regarding a solicitation shall be conducted and technical or other information shall be transmitted only by the contracting officer or superiors having contractual authority or by others specifically authorized. Such personnel shall not furnish any information to a prospective bidder that alone or together with other information may afford an advantage over others. However, general information that would not be prejudicial to other prospective bidders may be furnished upon request; *e.g.,* explanation of a particular contract clause or a particular condition of the schedule in the invitation for bids, and more specific information or clarifications may be furnished by amending the solicitation (see 14.208).14.212 Economic purchase quantities (supplies).       Contracting officers shall comply with the economic purchase quantity planning requirements for supplies in subpart  7.2. See 7.203 for instructions regarding use of the provision at 52.207-4, Economic Purchase Quantity-Supplies, and 7.204 for guidance on handling responses to that provision.