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48 CFR · Federal Acquisition Regulation and Defense supplement

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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.

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24 sections with “unsolicited proposal”

  • FAR 15.607 Criteria for acceptance and negotiation of an unsolicited proposal.
    (a) A favorable comprehensive evaluation of an unsolicited proposal does not, in itself, justify awarding a contract without providing for full and open competition. The agency point of contact shall return an unsolicited proposal to the of…
  • FAR 15.605 Content of unsolicited proposals.
    Unsolicited proposals should contain the following information to permit consideration in an objective and timely manner: (a) Basic information including— (1) Offeror's name and address and type of organization; e.g., profit, nonprofit, e…
  • FAR 15.603 General.
    (a) Unsolicited proposals allow unique and innovative ideas or approaches that have been developed outside the Government to be made available to Government agencies for use in accomplishment of their missions. Unsolicited proposals are off…
  • FAR 15.604 Agency points of contact.
    … contact with agency technical or other appropriate personnel before preparing a detailed unsolicited proposal or submitting proprietary information to the Government may save considerable time and effort for both parties (see 15.201). Agen…
  • FAR 15.609 Limited use of data.
    (a) An unsolicited proposal may include data that the offeror does not want disclosed to the public for any purpose or used by the Government except for evaluation purposes. If the offeror wishes to restrict the data, the title page must be…
  • FAR 2.101 Definitions.
    …ses to requests for quotations (simplified acquisition) are “quotations”, not offers. For unsolicited proposals, see subpart 15.6. Offeror means offeror or bidder. Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization means the Office of…
  • FAR 15.606 Agency procedures.
    …l establish procedures for controlling the receipt, evaluation, and timely disposition of unsolicited proposals consistent with the requirements of this subpart. The procedures shall include controls on the reproduction and disposition of p…
  • FAR 15.606-1 Receipt and initial review.
    …ive evaluation, the agency contact point shall determine if the proposal— (1) Is a valid unsolicited proposal, meeting the requirements of 15.603(c); (2) Is suitable for submission in response to an existing agency requirement (see 15.602…
  • FAR 15.606-2 Evaluation.
    …ons shall be coordinated by the agency contact point, who shall attach or imprint on each unsolicited proposal, circulated for evaluation, the legend required by 15.609(d). When performing a comprehensive evaluation of an unsolicited propos…
  • FAR 15.608 Prohibitions.
    (a) Government personnel shall not use any data, concept, idea, or other part of an unsolicited proposal as the basis, or part of the basis, for a solicitation or in negotiations with any other firm unless the offeror is notified of and agr…
  • FAR 27.404-2 Limited rights data and restricted computer software.
    …s data are expected to be delivered, use Alternate II. Where negotiations are based on an unsolicited proposal, the need for Alternate II of the clause at 52.227-14 should be addressed during negotiations or discussions, and if Alternate II…
  • DFARS 206.302-1 Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.
    …s for studies, analyses, or consulting services (see FAR subpart 37.2) on the basis of an unsolicited proposal without providing for full and open competition, unless— (1) The head of the contracting activity, or a designee no lower than c…
  • FAR 3.803 Exceptions.
    …eral action. (iv) Participating in technical discussions regarding the preparation of an unsolicited proposal prior to its official submission. (v) Making capability presentations prior to formal solicitation of any covered Federal action…
  • FAR 6.303-1 Requirements.
    …ations for a sole source contract, commence negotiations for a contract resulting from an unsolicited proposal, or award any other contract without providing for full and open competition unless the contracting officer— (1) Justifies, if r…
  • FAR 15.600 Scope of subpart.
    …procedures concerning the submission, receipt, evaluation, and acceptance or rejection of unsolicited proposals.
  • FAR 15.601 Definitions.
    …l services that are being offered for further development and that may be submitted as an unsolicited proposal. Contribution means a concept, suggestion, or idea presented to the Government for its use with no indication that the source in…
  • FAR 15.602 Policy.
    … topic areas publicized under those programs or techniques, the ideas may be submitted as unsolicited proposals.
  • FAR 23.202 Policy.
    …stablished by the Department of Energy and other agencies. (d) For procedures related to unsolicited proposals for energy savings performance contracts, see 15.603(e). (e) For more information see https://energy.gov/eere/femp/energy-savin…
  • FAR 35.007 Solicitations.
    …negotiate directly with the concern without competition. Also see subpart 15.6 concerning unsolicited proposals. (j) The Government may issue an exploratory request to determine the existence of ideas or prior work in a specific field of r…
  • FAR 52.203-12 Limitation on Payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions.
    …eral action; (iv) Participating in technical discussions regarding the preparation of an unsolicited proposal prior to its official submission; and (v) Making capability presentations prior to formal solicitation of any covered Federal ac…
  • FAR 5.202 Exceptions.
    …982 (Pub. L. 97-219); (8) The proposed contract action results from the acceptance of an unsolicited research proposal that demonstrates a unique and innovative concept (see 2.101) and publication of any notice complying with 5.207 would i…
  • FAR 3.104-3 Statutory and related prohibitions, restrictions, and requirements.
    …is any of the actions included as “seeking employment” in 5 CFR 2635.603(b). In addition, unsolicited communications from offerors regarding possible employment are considered contacts. (3) Agencies must retain reports of employment contac…
  • FAR 5.301 General.
    …d under paragraph (a)(1) of this section if— (1) The award results from acceptance of an unsolicited research proposal that demonstrates a unique and innovative research concept and publication of any notice would disclose the originality …
  • FAR 6.302-1 Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.
    …ces may be considered to be available from only one source if the source has submitted an unsolicited research proposal that: (A) Demonstrates a unique and innovative concept (see definition at 2.101), or, demonstrates a unique capability …

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.