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FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 13: Simplified Acquisition Procedures

FAR 13.004 Legal effect of quotations.

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 that a quotation from a supplier is not an offer and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a contract. Instead, when the Government issues an order in response to a quotation, that order is an offer by the Government to buy supplies or services on specified terms. A binding contract only exists once the supplier accepts that offer.

Applies to: Government contracting officers and suppliers involved in simplified acquisition procedures using quotations.

Key terms: quotation · offer · acceptance · contract · order

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

The text

(a) A quotation is not an offer and, consequently, cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Therefore, issuance by the Government of an order in response to a supplier's quotation does not establish a contract. The order is an offer by the Government to the supplier to buy certain supplies or services upon specified terms and conditions. A contract is established when the supplier accepts the offer.

(b) When appropriate, the contracting officer may ask the supplier to indicate acceptance of an order by notification to the Government, preferably in writing, as defined at 2.101. In other circumstances, the supplier may indicate acceptance by furnishing the supplies or services ordered or by proceeding with the work to the point where substantial performance has occurred.

(c) If the Government issues an order resulting from a quotation, the Government may (by written notice to the supplier, at any time before acceptance occurs) withdraw, amend, or cancel its offer. (See 13.302-4 for procedures on termination or cancellation of purchase orders.)

Sections it refers to

  • 2.101 Definitions.
  • 13.302-4 Termination or cancellation of purchase orders.

← 13.003 Policy. · 13.005 List of laws inapplicable to contracts and subcontracts at or below the simplified acquisition threshold. →

Rule changes for FAR Part 13

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

FAR 13.004 Legal effect of quotations · SpendQuery