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

FAR 14.402-1 Unclassified 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 how a bid opening officer must handle unclassified bids at the time set for opening. It matters because it sets the public opening, reading, recording, and safeguarding rules that protect the integrity of the bids.

Applies to: Bid opening officers and those present at unclassified bid openings

What it requires

  • Decide when the time set for opening bids has arrived and inform those present
  • Personally and publicly open all bids received before that time
  • If practical, read the bids aloud to those present
  • Have the bids recorded

Key terms: bid opening officer · unclassified bids · abstract of bids · original bid · duplicate bid

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

The text

(a) The bid opening officer shall decide when the time set for opening bids has arrived and shall inform those present of that decision. The officer shall then (1) personally and publicly open all bids received before that time, (2) if practical, read the bids aloud to the persons present, and (3) have the bids recorded. The original of each bid shall be carefully safeguarded, particularly until the abstract of bids required by 14.403 has been made and its accuracy verified.

(b) Performance of the procedure in paragraph (a) above may be delegated to an assistant, but the bid opening officer remains fully responsible for the actions of the assistant.

(c) Examination of bids by interested persons shall be permitted if it does not interfere unduly with the conduct of Government business. Original bids shall not be allowed to pass out of the hands of a Government official unless a duplicate bid is not available for public inspection. The original bid may be examined by the public only under the immediate supervision of a Government official and under conditions that preclude possibility of a substitution, addition, deletion, or alteration in the bid.

Sections it refers to

← 14.402 Opening of bids. · 14.402-2 Classified 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 14.402-1 Unclassified bids · SpendQuery