FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 47: Transportation › Subpart 47.1

FAR 47.103-1 General.

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 outlines the regulations and procedures for handling bills of lading, documentation, payment, and audit of transportation services acquired by the U.S. Government. It requires agencies to establish prepayment audit programs and specifies how paid freight bills and supporting documents must be forwarded for postpayment audit to the General Services Administration. Contractors, especially those under cost-reimbursement contracts, may need to ensure their transportation documents are properly submitted.

Applies to: Agencies and contractors involved in government transportation services

What it requires

  • Forward original copies of paid freight bills/invoices, bills of lading, passenger coupons, and supporting documents as soon as possible following the end of the month, in one package for postpayment audit to GSA.
  • Include documents for first-tier subcontractors under a cost-reimbursement contract; if not practicable, forward them separately.
  • Forward promptly any original transportation bills or other documents requested by GSA.
  • Ensure the name of the contracting agency is stamped or written on the face of the bill before sending it to GSA.

Key terms: bill of lading · prepayment audit · postpayment audit · cost-reimbursement contract · first-tier subcontractors

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

The text

(a)(1) Regulations and procedures governing the bill of lading, documentation, payment, and audit of transportation services acquired by the United States Government are prescribed in 41 CFR part 102-118, Transportation Payment and Audit.

(2) For DoD shipments, corresponding guidance is in DoD 4500.9-R, Defense Transportation Regulation, Part II.

(b) Under 31 U.S.C. 3726, all agencies are required to establish a prepayment audit program. For details on the establishment of a prepayment audit, see 41 CFR part 102-118.

(c) The agency designated in paragraph (a)(3) of the clause at 52.247-67 shall forward original copies of paid freight bills/invoices, bills of lading, passenger coupons, and supporting documents as soon as possible following the end of the month, in one package for postpayment audit to the General Services Administration, Transportation Audit Division (QMCA), Crystal Plaza 4, Room 300, 2200 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202.. The specified agency shall include the paid freight bills/invoices, bills of lading, passenger coupons, and supporting documents for first-tier subcontractors under a cost-reimbursement contract. If the inclusion of the paid freight bills/invoices, bills of lading, passenger coupons, and supporting documents for any subcontractor in the shipment is not practicable, the documents may be forwarded to GSA in a separate package.

(d) Any original transportation bills or other documents requested by GSA shall be forwarded promptly. The specified agency shall ensure that the name of the contracting agency is stamped or written on the face of the bill before sending it to GSA.

(e) A statement prepared in duplicate by the specified agency shall accompany each shipment of transportation documents. GSA will acknowledge receipt of the shipment by signing and returning the copy of the statement. The statement shall show—

(1) The name and address of the specified agency;

(2) The contract number, including any alpha-numeric prefix identifying the contracting office;

(3) The name and address of the contracting office;

(4) The total number of bills submitted with the statement; and

(5) A listing of the respective amounts paid or, in lieu of such listing, an adding machine tape of the amounts paid showing the Contractor's voucher or check numbers.

Sections it refers to

  • 52.247-67 Submission of Transportation Documents for Audit.

← 47.103 Transportation Payment and Audit Regulation. · 47.103-2 Contract clause. →

Rule changes for FAR Part 47

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

FAR 47.103-1 General · SpendQuery