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FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 14: Sealed Bidding › Subpart 14.4

FAR 14.401 Receipt and safeguarding 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 requires that all bids received before the time set for bid opening be kept secure and not opened or viewed, except in limited identification situations. It matters to contractors because it protects the confidentiality and integrity of their bids until the official opening, and requires return of bids if the invitation is cancelled.

Applies to: Government employees handling bids received under sealed bidding

What it requires

  • Keep all bids received before bid opening secure and unopened
  • Store bids in a locked bid box, safe, or secured restricted-access electronic bid box
  • Return bids to bidders if the invitation for bids is cancelled
  • Take necessary precautions to ensure the security of the bid box or safe

Key terms: bid box · bid opening · invitation for bids · bid samples · sealed bid

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

The text

(a) All bids (including modifications) received before the time set for the opening of bids shall be kept secure. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, the bids shall not be opened or viewed, and shall remain in a locked bid box, a safe, or in a secured, restricted-access electronic bid box. If an invitation for bids is cancelled, bids shall be returned to the bidders. Necessary precautions shall be taken to ensure the security of the bid box or safe. Before bid opening, information concerning the identity and number of bids received shall be made available only to Government employees. Such disclosure shall be only on a need to know basis. When bid samples are submitted, they shall be handled with sufficient care to prevent disclosure of characteristics before bid opening.

(b) Envelopes marked as bids but not identifying the bidder or the solicitation may be opened solely for the purpose of identification, and then only by an official designated for this purpose. If a sealed bid is opened by mistake (e.g., because it is not marked as being a bid), the envelope shall be signed by the opener, whose position shall also be written thereon, and delivered to the designated official. This official shall immediately write on the envelope (1) an explanation of the opening, (2) the date and time opened, and (3) the invitation for bids number, and shall sign the envelope. The official shall then immediately reseal the envelope.

Sections that refer to it

  • 3.104-4 Disclosure, protection, and marking of contractor bid or proposal information and source selection information.

← 14.400 Scope of subpart. · 14.402 Opening of bids. →

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 14.401 Receipt and safeguarding of bids · SpendQuery