FAR 46.314—Transportation contracts.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 46.314 tells contracting officers when to include the inspection clause at 52.246-14, Inspection of Transportation, in transportation-related solicitations and contracts. It covers freight transportation services by rail, motor carrier (including bus), domestic freight forwarders, and domestic water carriers, including local drayage and inland, coastwise, and intercoastal water service. It also identifies important exclusions: the clause is not used for domestic or international air carriers, international ocean carriers, freight services provided under bills of lading, or transportation negotiated at reduced rates under 49 U.S.C. 10721 or 13712. In practice, this section helps ensure the Government uses the correct inspection and acceptance framework for transportation services and avoids applying the wrong clause to transportation arrangements governed by different statutory or commercial rules. It is a cross-reference point to FAR Part 47, which addresses transportation policy and procedures more broadly.
Key Rules
Use clause for covered freight services
The contracting officer must insert FAR 52.246-14 in solicitations and contracts for freight transportation services by rail, motor carrier, domestic freight forwarder, and domestic water carrier. This includes local drayage and domestic water transportation such as inland, coastwise, and intercoastal service.
Do not use for air carriers
The clause must not be used for transportation services provided by domestic or international air carriers. Air transportation is excluded from this inspection clause requirement.
Do not use for international ocean carriers
The clause is also prohibited for transportation services provided by international ocean carriers. Those services are handled under different transportation rules and documentation practices.
Do not use for bill of lading freight
The clause does not apply to freight services provided under bills of lading. When transportation is arranged under a bill of lading, the inspection clause at 52.246-14 is not the proper clause to insert.
Do not use for reduced-rate agreements
The clause must not be used for freight services negotiated for reduced rates under 49 U.S.C. 10721 or 13712. These statutory rate arrangements are specifically excluded from this clause requirement.
Consult transportation policy in Part 47
FAR points users to Part 47 for transportation policy and procedures. Contracting officers should use this section together with Part 47 to determine the correct contracting method and clause set.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Determine whether the requirement is for covered freight transportation services and insert FAR 52.246-14 when applicable. Exclude the clause when the service falls into one of the listed exceptions, and coordinate the solicitation and contract structure with FAR Part 47.
Agency
Ensure transportation acquisitions are structured and reviewed so the correct clause and transportation procedures are used. Support contracting personnel in distinguishing covered freight services from excluded air, ocean, bill of lading, and reduced-rate arrangements.
Contractor
Understand whether the solicitation or contract includes the inspection of transportation clause and perform the transportation service in accordance with the contract terms. When the contract is based on an excluded transportation method or rate arrangement, follow the applicable transportation documentation and service requirements instead of assuming the inspection clause applies.
Practical Implications
This section is mainly a clause-selection rule: the key day-to-day task is deciding whether 52.246-14 belongs in the contract. Getting that wrong can create an inconsistent contract package or apply the wrong inspection framework to the transportation service.
A common pitfall is treating all transportation the same. Rail, motor, domestic freight forwarder, and domestic water services are covered, but air, international ocean, bill-of-lading freight, and reduced-rate statutory arrangements are not.
Contracting officers should verify the transportation mode and the legal basis for the rate or shipment arrangement before drafting the solicitation. The presence of a bill of lading or a special reduced-rate agreement is a strong signal that this clause should not be used.
Because the section points to FAR Part 47, users should not read it in isolation. Part 47 may affect how the transportation requirement is described, documented, and administered.
For contractors, the practical issue is understanding which inspection and acceptance terms govern the shipment. If the wrong clause is inserted, it can create disputes over service performance, documentation, or acceptance procedures.
Official Regulatory Text
The contracting officer shall insert the clause at 52.246-14 , Inspection of Transportation, in solicitations and contracts for freight transportation services (including local drayage) by rail, motor (including bus), domestic freight forwarder, and domestic water carriers (including inland, coastwise, and intercoastal). The contracting officer shall not use the clause for the acquisition of transportation services by domestic or international air carriers or by international ocean carriers, or to freight services provided under bills of lading or to those negotiated for reduced rates under 49 U.S.C. 10721 or 1 3712. (See part 47 , Transportation.)