FAR 15.606—Agency procedures.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 15.606 tells agencies how to set up the internal machinery for handling unsolicited proposals. It requires agencies to create procedures for receiving, evaluating, and disposing of unsolicited proposals in a timely way, and those procedures must be consistent with the rest of FAR Subpart 15.6. It also requires controls over copying, reproducing, and disposing of proposal material, with special attention to information the offeror marks as restricted from duplication, use, or disclosure. In addition, each agency must designate points of contact under FAR 15.604 to coordinate receipt and handling of these proposals. In practice, this section is about protecting proprietary information, avoiding lost or mishandled submissions, and ensuring unsolicited proposals are routed to the right people and processed consistently rather than informally or ad hoc.
Key Rules
Agency procedures required
Each agency must establish procedures for controlling the receipt, evaluation, and timely disposition of unsolicited proposals. These procedures must align with the requirements of FAR Subpart 15.6, so agencies cannot create local processes that conflict with the FAR.
Controls on proposal material
Agencies must include controls for reproducing and disposing of unsolicited proposal material. This is especially important for material the offeror identifies as subject to duplication, use, or disclosure restrictions.
Protect restricted data
When an offeror marks data as restricted, the agency must handle that information carefully and in accordance with the stated restrictions. The rule is intended to prevent unauthorized copying, use, or release of proprietary or sensitive proposal content.
Timely disposition
Agencies are expected to process unsolicited proposals without unnecessary delay. The requirement for timely disposition helps ensure proposals are either advanced, rejected, or otherwise resolved promptly.
Agency points of contact
Agencies must designate points of contact under FAR 15.604 to coordinate receipt and handling of unsolicited proposals. This creates a clear entry point for submitters and a central coordination mechanism inside the agency.
Responsibilities
Agency
Establish and maintain procedures for receiving, evaluating, and timely disposing of unsolicited proposals; ensure those procedures comply with FAR Subpart 15.6; and implement controls for copying, storing, and disposing of proposal materials, including restricted data.
Agency points of contact
Coordinate the receipt and handling of unsolicited proposals, helping route submissions to the proper officials and ensuring the agency’s procedures are followed.
Contracting officers and other agency personnel handling proposals
Follow the agency’s established procedures, protect restricted proposal information, avoid unauthorized reproduction or disclosure, and process proposals through the proper channels in a timely manner.
Offerors
Identify any data in the unsolicited proposal that is subject to duplication, use, or disclosure restrictions so the agency can apply the required controls.
Practical Implications
Agencies need a formal intake process, not an informal mailbox or ad hoc routing system, or proposals can be lost, delayed, or mishandled.
The biggest compliance risk is mishandling proprietary or restricted information through unnecessary copying, broad internal distribution, or poor disposal practices.
A designated point of contact helps prevent confusion about where to send unsolicited proposals and who is responsible for initial screening and coordination.
Contracting personnel should verify that local procedures match FAR Subpart 15.6 and that staff know how to treat restricted proposal data.
Offerors should clearly mark any restricted material; otherwise, the agency may not know which portions require special handling.
Official Regulatory Text
(a) Agencies shall 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 proposal material, particularly data identified by the offeror as subject to duplication, use, or disclosure restrictions. (b) Agencies shall establish agency points of contact (see 15.604 ) to coordinate the receipt and handling of unsolicited proposals.