DFARS Part 253: Forms

In plain English

DFARS Part 253 identifies the forms used in DoD contracting and provides instructions for their use. It covers forms for interdepartmental purchase requests, preaward surveys, simplified acquisitions, and weighted guidelines. Contractors should be aware of these forms because they may encounter them during the acquisition process, especially when responding to solicitations or performing contracts.

Key rules

• Use DD Form 448 for Military Interdepartmental Purchase Requests and DD Form 448-2 for acceptance, following the procedures in PGI 253.208-1 and PGI 253.208-2. (253.208-1, 253.208-2)
• SF 1403 is used for preaward surveys of prospective contractors, evaluating factors such as technical capability, production capability, quality assurance capability, financial capability, and accounting system adequacy. (253.209-1)
• For simplified acquisition procedures, DoD uses DD Form 1155 instead of OF 347 and OF 336 instead of OF 348, following PGI 253.213(f). (253.213)
• DD Form 1155, Order for Supplies or Services, must be completed according to PGI 253.213-70. (253.213-70)
• DD Form 1547, Record of Weighted Guidelines Application, must be completed according to PGI 253.215-70. (253.215-70)
• DoD forms are available at the website https://www.esd.whs.mil/Directives/forms/. (253.303)

Who does what

In practice

• When bidding on DoD contracts, you may need to provide information for preaward surveys using SF 1403, so ensure your technical, production, quality, financial, and accounting capabilities are well-documented.
• If you receive a DD Form 1155 for a simplified acquisition, recognize it as the DoD equivalent of OF 347 and follow its instructions for order acceptance and performance.
• For cost-reimbursement or incentive contracts, be prepared for an accounting system review as part of the preaward survey process.

Common pitfalls

• Do not assume that standard OF forms are used in DoD acquisitions; DD Form 1155 and OF 336 replace OF 347 and OF 348 respectively.
• Do not ignore the PGI procedures referenced in DFARS Part 253; they contain essential instructions for completing and using the forms.
• Do not overlook the need for an adequate accounting system when bidding on cost-reimbursement or incentive contracts, as it is a key factor in the preaward survey.

Written by AI from this part's codified text (2026-10-04); cited sections are checked against the part. A guide, not legal advice: the regulation text, the solicitation and your contract rule.