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

FAR 14.402-3 Postponement of openings.

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 bid opening can be postponed, including after the scheduled opening time. It matters because it tells contractors that openings may be delayed for reasons like mail or communication delays beyond bidders' control, or emergencies that interrupt government processes, and it sets out how the new opening time is handled.

Applies to: Contracting officers and bidders in sealed bidding under FAR Part 14

What it requires

  • Publicly post an announcement of the postponement determination at the time it is made under (a)(1)
  • If practical before a formal amendment, communicate the determination to prospective bidders likely to attend the scheduled opening
  • Make a note on the abstract of bids or add to the file explaining the circumstances of the postponement under (a)(2)

Key terms: bid opening · postponement · late bids · amendment of the solicitation · abstract of bids

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

The text

(a) A bid opening may be postponed even after the time scheduled for bid opening (but otherwise in accordance with 14.208) and—

(1) The contracting officer has reason to believe that the bids of an important segment of bidders have been delayed in the mails, or in the communications system specified for transmission of bids, for causes beyond their control and without their fault or negligence (e.g., flood, fire, accident, weather conditions, strikes, or Government equipment blackout or malfunction when bids are due); or

(2) Emergency or unanticipated events interrupt normal governmental processes so that the conduct of bid openings as scheduled is impractical.

(b) At the time of a determination to postpone a bid opening under subparagraph (a)(1) above, an announcement of the determination shall be publicly posted. If practical before issuance of a formal amendment of the invitation, the determination shall be otherwise communicated to prospective bidders who are likely to attend the scheduled bid opening.

(c) In the case of paragraph (a)(2) of this section, and when urgent Government requirements preclude amendment of the solicitation as prescribed in 14.208, the time specified for opening of bids will be deemed to be extended to the same time of day specified in the solicitation on the first work day on which normal Government processes resume. In such cases, the time of actual bid opening shall be deemed to be the time set for bid opening for the purpose of determining “late bids” under 14.304. A note should be made on the abstract of bids or otherwise added to the file explaining the circumstances of the postponement.

Sections it refers to

  • 14.208 Amendment of invitation for bids.
  • 14.304 Submission, modification, and withdrawal of bids.

← 14.402-2 Classified bids. · 14.403 Recording 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 14.402-3 Postponement of openings · SpendQuery