FAR 18.111—Oral requests for proposals.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 18.111 is a short cross-reference provision that addresses when an oral request for proposals may be used in an acquisition. It does not create a standalone solicitation method; instead, it points readers to FAR 15.203(f), which governs the limited circumstances under which a contracting officer may issue a request for proposals orally. In practice, this section matters because it confirms that oral RFPs are an authorized tool in certain situations, typically to support speed and flexibility when time is critical or when the acquisition context makes a written solicitation impracticable. The section is especially relevant in emergency, contingency, or other urgent acquisitions where the government may need to communicate requirements quickly while still preserving competition and a record of what was requested. Because the rule is only a cross-reference, users must look to FAR 15.203(f) for the actual conditions, documentation expectations, and procedural safeguards that apply.
Key Rules
Oral RFPs are authorized
The FAR recognizes that requests for proposals may be made orally in certain circumstances. This means an oral solicitation is not prohibited, but it is limited and must fit within the conditions established elsewhere in the FAR.
See FAR 15.203(f)
This section does not spell out the requirements itself; it directs the reader to FAR 15.203(f) for the governing rule. Any use of an oral RFP must therefore comply with the detailed standards in that provision.
Limited-use acquisition method
Oral requests for proposals are an exception to the normal expectation of a written solicitation. They are intended for situations where speed, urgency, or operational necessity makes an oral approach appropriate, while still maintaining fair competition to the extent practicable.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Determine whether the acquisition circumstances satisfy the conditions for an oral request for proposals under FAR 15.203(f), ensure the method is appropriate for the procurement, and follow any required procedural safeguards and documentation requirements.
Contractor/Offeror
Respond to the oral request as directed, seek clarification if the requirements are unclear, and understand that the oral communication is still part of the solicitation process and may affect proposal preparation and timing.
Agency
Ensure its acquisition personnel understand that oral RFPs are only permitted in limited circumstances and that the underlying procurement file supports the use of this method, including any urgency or operational basis for the approach.
Practical Implications
This section is mainly a gateway rule: it tells you oral RFPs can be used, but the real operational guidance is in FAR 15.203(f).
Contracting officers should not treat an oral request as a casual or informal communication; it is still a solicitation action and should be handled carefully to avoid disputes over what was requested.
Contractors should confirm the exact requirements, due dates, and submission expectations in writing as soon as possible, because oral communications can create misunderstandings.
A common pitfall is using an oral RFP without a clear regulatory basis or without enough documentation to show why the method was appropriate.
Because this is a cross-reference, users must read it together with the competition, solicitation, and recordkeeping rules that apply to the specific acquisition context.
Official Regulatory Text
Oral requests for proposals are authorized under certain conditions. (See 15.203 (f).)