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FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 11: Describing Agency Needs › Subpart 11.4

FAR 11.403 Supplies or services.

The codified text (eCFR, as of 2026-10-02). Under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul ↗, agencies follow class deviations with new text for many parts while the formal rules go through the Federal Register: check the solicitation and your contract's clauses, which rule.

In plain English

This section explains how contracting officers may express delivery or performance schedules in contracts, such as by calendar dates or periods measured from contract award or receipt of notice. It also protects contractors from having their performance time shortened due to Government delay in giving notice of award, and sets rules for how award notices must be sent when the schedule depends on receipt.

Applies to: Contracting officers and contractors on supply or service contracts

What it requires

  • If the delivery schedule is based on the date of the contract, the contracting officer shall furnish the contract or award notice no later than the contract date.
  • If the schedule is based on the contractor's receipt of notice, the contracting officer shall send it by certified mail, return receipt requested, or another method providing evidence of receipt date.
  • In invitations for bids, if the schedule is based on the contract date and a bid offers delivery based on receipt, the contracting officer shall add 5 calendar days (or one working day if transmitted electronically) when evaluating the bid.

Key terms: delivery schedule · notice of award · certified mail, return receipt requested · working day · nonresponsive

Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.

The text

(a) The contracting officer may express contract delivery or performance schedules in terms of—

(1) Specific calendar dates;

(2) Specific periods from the date of the contract; i.e., from the date of award or acceptance by the Government, or from the date shown as the effective date of the contract;

(3) Specific periods from the date of receipt by the contractor of the notice of award or acceptance by the Government (including notice by receipt of contract document executed by the Government); or

(4) Specific time for delivery after receipt by the contractor of each individual order issued under the contract, as in indefinite delivery type contracts and GSA schedules.

(b) The time specified for contract performance should not be curtailed to the prejudice of the contractor because of delay by the Government in giving notice of award.

(c) If the delivery schedule is based on the date of the contract, the contracting officer shall mail or otherwise furnish to the contractor the contract, notice of award, acceptance of proposal, or other contract document not later than the date of the contract.

(d) If the delivery schedule is based on the date the contractor receives the notice of award, or if the delivery schedule is expressed in terms of specific calendar dates on the assumption that the notice of award will be received by a specified date, the contracting officer shall send the contract, notice of award, acceptance of proposal, or other contract document by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by any other method that will provide evidence of the date of receipt.

(e) In invitations for bids, if the delivery schedule is based on the date of the contract, and a bid offers delivery based on the date the contractor receives the contract or notice of award, the contracting officer shall evaluate the bid by adding 5 calendar days (as representing the normal time for arrival through ordinary mail). If the contract or notice of award will be transmitted electronically, (1) the solicitation shall so state; and (2) the contracting officer shall evaluate delivery schedule based on the date of contract receipt or notice of award, by adding one working day. (The term “working day” excludes weekends and U.S. Federal holidays.) If the offered delivery date computed with mailing or transmittal time is later than the delivery date required by the invitation for bids, the bid shall be considered nonresponsive and rejected. If award is made, the delivery date will be the number of days offered in the bid after the contractor actually receives the notice of award.

Sections that refer to it

  • 9.306 Solicitation requirements.

← 11.402 Factors to consider in establishing schedules. · 11.404 Contract clauses. →

Rule changes for FAR Part 11

Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.

FAR 11.403 Supplies or services · SpendQuery