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FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 5: Publicizing Contract Actions › Subpart 5.3

FAR 5.303 Announcement of contract awards.

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 tells contracting officers to make information about contract awards over $5.5 million available in time for the agency to announce it by 5 p.m. Washington, DC time on the day of award, and it bars releasing that information earlier. It also lists certain awards that are excluded from this public announcement requirement and sets out what local announcements must include for awards above the simplified acquisition threshold.

Applies to: Contracting officers and agencies announcing contract awards

What it requires

  • Make information available on awards over $5.5 million in sufficient time for announcement by 5 p.m. Washington, DC time on the day of award
  • Do not release information on awards before the public release time of 5 p.m. Washington, DC time
  • When making local announcements for awards above the simplified acquisition threshold, include the specified information for sealed bidding or negotiation awards

Key terms: public announcement · local announcement · simplified acquisition threshold · sealed bidding · negotiation

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

The text

(a) Public announcement. Contracting officers shall make information available on awards over $5.5 million (unless another dollar amount is specified in agency acquisition regulations) in sufficient time for the agency concerned to announce it by 5 p.m. Washington, DC, time on the day of award. Agencies shall not release information on awards before the public release time of 5 p.m. Washington, DC time. Contracts excluded from this reporting requirement include—

(1) Those placed with the Small Business Administration under section 8(a) of the Small Business Act;

(2) Those placed with foreign firms when the place of delivery or performance is outside the United States and its outlying areas; and

(3) Those for which synopsis was exempted under 5.202(a)(1).

(b) Local announcement. Agencies may also release information on contract awards to the local press or other media. When local announcements are made for contract awards in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold, they shall include—

(1) For awards after sealed bidding, a statement that the contract was awarded after competition by sealed bidding, the number of offers solicited and received, and the basis for selection (e.g., the lowest responsible bidder); or

(2) For awards after negotiation, the information prescribed by 15.503(b), and after competitive negotiation (either price or design competition), a statement to this effect, and in general terms the basis for selection.

Sections it refers to

  • 5.202 Exceptions.
  • 15.503 Notifications to unsuccessful offerors.

← 5.302 Preparation and transmittal of synopses of awards. · 5.401 General. →

Rule changes for FAR Part 5

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

FAR 5.303 Announcement of contract awards · SpendQuery