FAR 15.509—Forms.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 15.509 explains which contract award forms may be used for negotiated procurements when the Government and contractor will both sign a single award document. It specifically addresses Optional Form (OF) 307, Contract Award; Standard Form (SF) 26, Award/Contract; and SF 33, Solicitation, Offer and Award, and it also tells contracting officers what to do if they do not use one of those forms. The section’s purpose is to ensure the award document clearly reflects the agreement and the award in a format suitable for bilateral signature, while avoiding form-related errors that can create ambiguity or administrative problems. In practice, this means the contracting officer must choose an appropriate form for the award method, use SF 26 correctly by leaving block 18 unused in negotiated procurements, and include the OF 307 agreement-and-award language in any alternate award document. For contractors, the section matters because it affects how the final contract is executed, what document controls the award, and whether the signature process properly captures the parties’ agreement.
Key Rules
Approved award forms
OF 307, SF 26, and SF 33 may be used for negotiated contracts when a single document signed by both parties is appropriate. These forms are intended to serve as the formal award instrument in bilateral award situations.
SF 26 block 18 restriction
If SF 26 is used for a negotiated procurement, block 18 must not be used. This prevents misuse of the form in a way that could conflict with the negotiated award structure.
Alternate documents must include OF 307 language
If none of the listed forms are used, the award document must incorporate the agreement and award language from OF 307. This ensures the document still contains the necessary contractual language even when a custom or different form is used.
Single-document bilateral award
The section applies when the award is to be executed on one document with signatures from both parties. The form choice should support a clear, mutual execution of the negotiated contract.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Select an appropriate award form for the negotiated procurement, ensure SF 26 block 18 is not used when applicable, and include OF 307 agreement-and-award language if a different award document is used.
Contractor
Review and sign the award document when bilateral execution is required, and ensure the signed form accurately reflects the negotiated agreement and award terms.
Agency
Provide and use approved award forms or acceptable equivalent documentation procedures that support proper execution of negotiated contract awards.
Practical Implications
This section is mainly about document control: the wrong form or wrong block usage can create avoidable administrative errors in award execution.
Contracting officers should verify whether the award will be bilateral on a single document before choosing OF 307, SF 26, or SF 33.
If a custom award document is used, omitting the OF 307 agreement-and-award language is a common compliance mistake that can leave the award document incomplete.
For SF 26, the block 18 restriction is easy to miss and should be checked during final review before signature.
Contractors should confirm that the signed award document matches the negotiated terms, since the form used affects how the agreement is memorialized and enforced.
Official Regulatory Text
Optional Form (OF) 307, Contract Award, Standard Form (SF) 26 , Award/Contract, or SF 33 , Solicitation, Offer and Award, may be used to award negotiated contracts in which the signature of both parties on a single document is appropriate. Note however, if using the SF 26 for a negotiated procurement, block 18 is not to be used. If these forms are not used, the award document shall incorporate the agreement and award language from the OF 307.