48 CFR · Federal Acquisition Regulation and Defense supplement

FAR and DFARS navigator

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.

Ask the FAR

Try: · · ·

Clear

8 sections with “descriptive literature”

  • FAR 14.202-5 Descriptive literature.
    (a) Policy. Contracting officers must not require bidders to furnish descriptive literature unless it is needed before award to determine whether the products offered meet the specification and to establish exactly what the bidder proposes …
  • FAR 52.214-21 Descriptive Literature.
    As prescribed in 14.201-6(p)(1), insert the following provision: Descriptive Literature (APR 2002) (a) Descriptive literature, as used in this provision, means information furnished by a bidder, such as cuts, illustrations, drawings, and …
  • FAR 14.404-4 Restrictions on disclosure of descriptive literature.
    When a bid is accompanied by descriptive literature (as defined in 2.101), and the bidder imposes a restriction that prevents the public disclosure of such literature, the restriction may render the bid nonresponsive. The restriction render…
  • DFARS 214.202-5 Descriptive literature.
    (c) Requirements of invitation for bids. When brand name or equal purchase descriptions are used, use of the provision at FAR 52.211-6, Brand Name or Equal, satisfies this requirement.
  • FAR 14.201-6 Solicitation provisions.
    …rding waiving the requirement for all bidders. (p)(1) Insert the provision at 52.214-21, Descriptive Literature, in invitations for bids if (i) descriptive literature is required to evaluate the technical acceptability of an offered produc…
  • FAR 52.211-6 Brand name or equal.
    …entify the item by— (i) Brand name, if any; and (ii) Make or model number; (3) Include descriptive literature such as illustrations, drawings, or a clear reference to previously furnished descriptive data or information available to the …
  • FAR 2.101 Definitions.
    …denced by the actual or estimated retirement and replacement practice of the contractor. Descriptive literature means information provided by an offeror, such as cuts, illustrations, drawings, and brochures, that shows a product's characte…
  • FAR 52.236-21 Specifications and Drawings for Construction.
    … details) of materials or equipment. It includes drawings, diagrams, layouts, schematics, descriptive literature, illustrations, schedules, performance and test data, and similar materials furnished by the contractor to explain in detail sp…

FAR (chapter 1)

DFARS (chapter 2, Defense)

Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Rule changes in progress: FAR, DFARS. Terms: glossary.