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FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 14: Sealed Bidding › Subpart 14.3

FAR 14.301 Responsiveness of bids.

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 bid must comply in all material respects with the invitation for bids to be considered for award, which keeps bidders on equal footing and protects the sealed bidding system. It also addresses facsimile bids, bids on a bidder's own form or by letter, and electronic commerce bids, which are considered only if the solicitation permits them. For a contractor, this means a bid that does not follow the solicitation's terms and conditions may be rejected as nonresponsive.

Applies to: Bidders submitting bids under sealed bidding

What it requires

  • Ensure the bid complies in all material respects with the invitation for bids
  • Fill out, execute, and submit bids in accordance with the instructions in the invitation
  • If using your own bid form or a letter, accept all terms and conditions of the invitation and ensure award would result in a binding contract with terms and conditions that do not vary from the invitation

Key terms: responsiveness · invitation for bids · facsimile bids · electronic commerce · sealed bidding system

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

The text

(a) To be considered for award, a bid must comply in all material respects with the invitation for bids. Such compliance enables bidders to stand on an equal footing and maintain the integrity of the sealed bidding system.

(b) Facsimile bids shall not be considered unless permitted by the solicitation (see 14.202-7).

(c) Bids should be filled out, executed, and submitted in accordance with the instructions in the invitation. If a bidder uses its own bid form or a letter to submit a bid, the bid may be considered only if (1) the bidder accepts all the terms and conditions of the invitation and (2) award on the bid would result in a binding contract with terms and conditions that do not vary from the terms and conditions of the invitation.

(d) Bids submitted by electronic commerce shall be considered only if the electronic commerce method was specifically stipulated or permitted by the solicitation.

Sections it refers to

← 14.213-14.214 [Reserved] · 14.302 Bid submission. →

Rule changes for FAR Part 14

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

FAR 14.301 Responsiveness of bids · SpendQuery