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FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 5: Publicizing Contract Actions › Subpart 5.5

FAR 5.503 Procedures.

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 agencies buy paid advertisements, including who they may buy from and how invoices are handled. It matters to small businesses because contracting officers must give certain small business concerns maximum opportunity to take part in these purchases. It also sets rules on rates, proof of advertising, and payment paperwork.

Applies to: Contracting officers placing orders for paid advertisements

What it requires

  • Give small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, veteran-owned, HUBZone, and service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns maximum opportunity to participate in these acquisitions
  • Use the SF 1449 for paper solicitations, and to make awards or place orders unless the award/order is made by electronic commerce or by using the Governmentwide commercial purchase card for micropurchases
  • Ensure every invoice for advertising is accompanied by a copy of the advertisement or an affidavit of publication furnished by the publisher, radio or television station, or advertising agency concerned
  • Upon receipt of an invoice supported by proof of advertising, attach a copy of the written authority and submit the invoice for payment under agency procedures

Key terms: paid advertisements · SF 1449 · micropurchases · commercial rates · affidavit of publication

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

The text

(a) General. (1) Orders for paid advertisements may be placed directly with the media or through an advertising agency. Contracting officers shall give small, small disadvantaged, women-owned, veteran-owned, HUBZone, and service-disabled veteran-owned small business concerns maximum opportunity to participate in these acquisitions.

(2) The contracting officer shall use the SF 1449 for paper solicitations. The SF 1449 shall be used to make awards or place orders unless the award/order is made by using electronic commerce or by using the Governmentwide commercial purchase card for micropurchases.

(b) Rates. Advertisements may be paid for at rates not over the commercial rates charged private individuals, with the usual discounts (44 U.S.C. 3703).

(c) Proof of advertising. Every invoice for advertising shall be accompanied by a copy of the advertisement or an affidavit of publication furnished by the publisher, radio or television station, or advertising agency concerned (44 U.S.C. 3703). Paying offices shall retain the proof of advertising until the Government Accountability Office settles the paying office's account.

(d) Payment. Upon receipt of an invoice supported by proof of advertising, the contracting officer shall attach a copy of the written authority (see 5.502(a)) and submit the invoice for payment under agency procedures.

Sections it refers to

Sections that refer to it

  • 53.205-1 Paid advertisements.
  • 53.213 Simplified acquisition procedures (SF's 18, 30, 44, 1165, and 1449, and OF's 336, 347, and 348).

← 5.502 Authority. · 5.504 Use of advertising agencies. →

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 5.503 Procedures · SpendQuery