FAR 14—Sealed Bidding

Scope of part.

FAR 14.000 states the scope of FAR Part 14, which governs sealed bidding. It identifies the major subjects covered by the part: the basic requirements for using sealed bidding to buy supplies and services, including construction; what must be included in the solicitation or invitation for bids; how bids are submitted; how bids are opened, evaluated, and used to award contracts; and the special procedures for two-step sealed bidding. In practice, this section does not itself set out the detailed rules, but it tells contracting officers and contractors what to expect in the rest of Part 14 and when sealed bidding procedures apply. Its purpose is to organize the part and make clear that sealed bidding is a structured, formal procurement method with specific rules for competition, bid submission, public opening, and award. For agencies, it signals that compliance depends on following the detailed procedures in the later sections of Part 14. For contractors, it highlights that bids must be prepared and submitted exactly as required because sealed bidding is generally rigid and does not allow negotiation after bid opening.

Subpart 14.1

Subpart 14.2

Subpart 14.3

Subpart 14.4

Subpart 14.5