FAR 15.210—Forms.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 15.210 explains that there are no mandatory prescribed forms for preparing solicitations under FAR Part 15, which covers contracting by negotiation. Instead, it identifies a small set of optional forms that a contracting officer may use at their discretion when issuing requests for proposals (RFPs), requests for information (RFIs), and amendments to negotiated solicitations. Specifically, it addresses Standard Form (SF) 33, Solicitation, Offer and Award; Optional Form (OF) 308, Solicitation and Offer-Negotiated Acquisition; SF 30, Amendment of Solicitation/Modification of Contract; Optional Form (OF) 309, Amendment of Solicitation; and Optional Form (OF) 17, Offer Label. The purpose of the section is to give contracting officers flexibility in how they package and issue negotiated acquisitions while preserving a common government-wide framework when a form is useful. In practice, this means the contracting officer can choose the form that best fits the acquisition, agency procedures, and administrative needs, but must still ensure the solicitation and any amendments are clear, complete, and properly issued. The section is mainly about form selection and administrative convenience, not about changing the substantive requirements for negotiated procurement.
Key Rules
No required prescribed forms
FAR Part 15 solicitations do not require the use of prescribed forms. The contracting officer may prepare the solicitation in another format as long as it meets the needs of the acquisition and complies with applicable procurement requirements.
SF 33 or OF 308 may be used for RFPs and RFIs
Standard Form 33 and Optional Form 308 are authorized, at the contracting officer’s discretion, for issuing requests for proposals and requests for information. The rule is permissive, not mandatory, so the CO chooses whether these forms are appropriate for the procurement.
SF 30 or OF 309 may amend solicitations
Standard Form 30 and Optional Form 309 may be used to amend solicitations for negotiated contracts. These forms provide a recognized method for making and documenting solicitation changes, but the contracting officer is not required to use them in every case.
OF 17 may accompany each RFP
Optional Form 17, Offer Label, may be furnished with each request for proposal. This is an administrative aid that can help identify and route offers, but it is optional and used only when helpful to the contracting office.
Contracting officer discretion controls
The section places the choice of form squarely with the contracting officer. The key requirement is not the form itself, but that the selected method supports a proper, clear, and administratively sound solicitation process.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Decide whether to use SF 33, OF 308, SF 30, OF 309, or OF 17 based on the acquisition’s needs and agency practice. Ensure the solicitation and any amendments are properly prepared, issued, and documented even when no prescribed form is used.
Agency
Provide internal procedures, templates, and guidance that support consistent use of optional forms where appropriate. Ensure personnel understand that these forms are discretionary and that alternative solicitation formats are permissible.
Contractor/Offeror
Review the solicitation package and any amendments regardless of the form used. Follow the instructions in the solicitation and submit proposals or responses in the format and by the deadline specified by the contracting officer.
Practical Implications
This section is mostly about administrative flexibility: contracting officers are not locked into one mandatory form for Part 15 solicitations.
A common pitfall is assuming a specific form is required when it is only optional; the real issue is whether the solicitation clearly states the government’s requirements and instructions.
When amending a solicitation, the chosen form should clearly identify what changed and avoid ambiguity about proposal deadlines, revised terms, or attachments.
OF 17 can help with offer handling, but it is not a substitute for clear proposal submission instructions or secure receipt procedures.
Contractors should focus on the content and deadlines in the solicitation package, not on whether the government used a particular form number.
Official Regulatory Text
Prescribed forms are not required to prepare solicitations described in this part. The following forms may be used at the discretion of the contracting officer: (a) Standard Form 33 , Solicitation, Offer and Award, and Optional Form 308 , Solicitation and Offer-Negotiated Acquisition, may be used to issue RFPs and RFIs. (b) Standard Form 30 , Amendment of Solicitation/ Modification of Contract, and Optional Form 309 , Amendment of Solicitation, may be used to amend solicitations of negotiated contracts. (c) Optional Form 17 , Offer Label, may be furnished with each request for proposal.