FAR 14.201-9—Simplified contract format.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 14.201-9 explains when and how a contracting officer may use the simplified contract format instead of the uniform contract format for sealed bidding acquisitions. It applies only to firm-fixed-price and fixed-price with economic price adjustment contracts for supplies and services, and it gives the contracting officer flexibility in how the contract is organized while still recommending a standard structure to the maximum practical extent. The section specifically addresses use of Standard Form 1447 as the first page, what must go into the contract schedule for each line item, what clauses must be included, when a list of documents and attachments should be used, and how to handle representations, certifications, instructions, notices, and evaluation factors. It also explains that certain solicitation provisions do not have to be physically inserted into the awarded contract if they are retained in the file, and that award by acceptance of a bid on SF 1447 incorporates bidder representations and certifications into the contract even if not attached. In practice, this section is about streamlining contract preparation without losing required terms, bidder commitments, or evaluation criteria, and it helps contracting officers build a legally sufficient contract package while avoiding unnecessary duplication.
Key Rules
Limited use of simplified format
The simplified contract format may be used only for firm-fixed-price or fixed-price with economic price adjustment acquisitions of supplies and services. If used, it replaces the uniform contract format, but only within the scope allowed by the regulation.
SF 1447 as first page
Standard Form 1447, Solicitation/Contract, must be used as the first page of the solicitation. This anchors the simplified format and serves as the core document for both solicitation and award.
Required schedule content
The contract schedule should include key line-item information such as line item number, description, quantity and unit of issue, unit price and amount, packaging and marking, inspection and acceptance, quality assurance and reliability requirements, delivery or performance terms, FOB point, and any item-specific information like fund citations.
Required clauses only
The contracting officer must include the clauses required by the FAR and should add other clauses only when they are absolutely necessary for the particular acquisition. The simplified format is intended to avoid unnecessary clause bloat.
Attachments and documents as needed
A list of documents and attachments may be included if necessary. The format is flexible, but supporting documents should be organized clearly when they are needed to define the contract.
Representations and instructions
The solicitation must include the provisions requiring offeror representations, certifications, and other information, the instructions, conditions, and notices required by FAR 14.201-6, and any other instructions needed to guide offerors. Evaluation factors and significant subfactors for award must also be inserted.
File retention instead of physical inclusion
After award, the contracting officer does not have to physically include the representations, certifications, instructions, and evaluation factors in the contract document, but must keep them in the contract file. This preserves the record while keeping the contract package streamlined.
Bid acceptance incorporates statements
When award is made by acceptance of a bid on the award portion of SF 1447, the bidder’s representations, certifications, and other statements become part of the resulting contract even if they are not physically attached.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Decide whether the simplified contract format is appropriate for the acquisition; prepare SF 1447 as the first page; organize the schedule with all required line-item details; include all required clauses and only add extra clauses when truly necessary; insert required representations, certifications, instructions, notices, and evaluation factors into the solicitation; retain those provisions in the contract file after award if not physically included; and ensure the award portion of SF 1447 properly captures acceptance of the bid.
Offerors/Bidders
Review the solicitation provisions, provide required representations, certifications, and other requested information, and submit bids that reflect the evaluation factors and instructions stated in the solicitation. Their statements become part of the contract upon award by acceptance of bid.
Agency/Contract File Custodian
Maintain the contract file so that solicitation provisions, representations, certifications, instructions, notices, and evaluation factors are preserved even when they are not physically attached to the final contract document.
Practical Implications
This section is mainly a contract-assembly rule: it lets contracting officers simplify paperwork, but it does not let them omit required terms or evaluation criteria.
A common pitfall is overusing extra clauses or attachments; the regulation pushes officers to include only what is required or absolutely necessary.
Another risk is failing to keep solicitation provisions in the file after award when they are not physically attached to the contract, which can create recordkeeping and audit problems.
Contracting officers should make sure the schedule is complete and precise, because the simplified format relies heavily on the line-item schedule to define the requirement.
Bidders should understand that their bid submissions and certifications can become binding contract terms even if the supporting provisions are not stapled into the final award document.
Official Regulatory Text
Policy . For firm-fixed-price or fixed-price with economic price adjustment acquisitions of supplies and services, the contracting officer may use the simplified contract format in lieu of the uniform contract format (see 14.201-1 ). The contracting officer has flexibility in preparation and organization of the simplified contract format. However, the following format should be used to the maximum practical extent: (a) Solicitation/contract form . Standard Form (SF) 1447 , Solicitation/Contract, shall be used as the first page of the solicitation. (b) Contract schedule . Include the following for each line item: (1) Line item number. (2) Description of supplies or services, or data sufficient to identify the requirement. (3) Quantity and unit of issue. (4) Unit price and amount. (5) Packaging and marking requirements. (6) Inspection and acceptance, quality assurance, and reliability requirements. (7) Place of delivery, performance and delivery dates, period of performance, and f.o.b. point. (8) Other item-peculiar information as necessary ( e.g., individual fund citations). (c) Clauses . Include the clauses required by this regulation. Additional clauses shall be incorporated only when considered absolutely necessary to the particular acquisition. (d) List of documents and attachments . Include if necessary. (e) Representations and instructions- (1) Representations and certifications . Insert those solicitation provisions that require representations, certifications, or the submission of other information by offerors. (2) Instructions, conditions, and notices . Include the solicitation provisions required by 14.201-6 . Include any other information/instructions necessary to guide offerors. (3) Evaluation factors for award . Insert all evaluation factors and any significant subfactors for award. (4) Upon award, the contracting officer need not physically include the provisions in paragraphs (e)(1), (2), and (3) of this subsection in the resulting contract, but shall retain them in the contract file. Award by acceptance of a bid on the award portion of SF 1447 incorporates the representations, certifications, and other statements of bidders in the resultant contract even though not physically attached.