FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 14: Sealed Bidding › Subpart 14.2
FAR 14.209 Cancellation of invitations before opening.
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 when and how a contracting officer may cancel an invitation for bids before bid opening. Cancellation should happen only when it is clearly in the public interest, such as when the requirement no longer exists or changes would be so large that a new invitation is needed. It also sets out how bidders must be notified and how received bids must be handled.
Applies to: Contracting officers cancelling an invitation for bids before bid opening
What it requires
- Do not cancel an invitation unless cancellation is clearly in the public interest
- Return unopened bids to bidders when a non-electronic invitation is cancelled
- Send notice of cancellation to all prospective bidders to whom invitations were issued
- Post a general notice of cancellation electronically, not view received bids, and purge bids from primary and backup data storage systems when an electronic invitation is cancelled
Key terms: invitation for bids · cancellation · public interest · prospective bidders · resolicitation
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
(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).
← 14.208 Amendment of invitation for bids. · 14.210 Qualified products. →
Rule changes for FAR Part 14
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul Parts 14, 28, 36, and 52 ↗ · proposed 2026-09-18 · comments due 2026-10-19
Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.