FAR 47.002—Applicability.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 47.002 tells Government personnel when the transportation policy and procedures in FAR part 47 apply. It is a broad applicability provision covering acquisition of supplies, acquisition of transportation and transportation-related services, transportation assistance and traffic management, administration of transportation contracts and other contracts involving transportation, and the making and administration of contracts paid with Government funds for transportation of supplies, transportation-related services, and transportation of contractor personnel and their personal belongings. In practice, this section is the gateway that determines when transportation-specific rules, clauses, and oversight must be used instead of relying only on general acquisition procedures. It matters because transportation requirements often involve specialized terms, routing, liability, scheduling, carrier practices, and payment issues that can affect cost, performance, and compliance. The section also makes clear that the rule is not limited to contracts whose main purpose is transportation; it can apply whenever transportation is part of the acquisition or contract administration activity. For contracting officers, transportation specialists, and program personnel, the practical significance is that they must identify transportation elements early and apply part 47 wherever the acquisition or administration touches those subjects.
Key Rules
Part 47 applies broadly
Government personnel must follow FAR part 47 whenever the listed activities are involved. The rule is not limited to a narrow class of transportation procurements; it reaches multiple acquisition and administration functions.
Covers supply acquisitions
When the Government acquires supplies, part 47 applies as relevant. This means transportation issues connected to getting supplies to the Government or to other destinations must be handled under the transportation rules.
Covers transportation services
The rule applies to acquisitions of transportation and transportation-related services. If the contract is for moving goods, people, or providing related logistics support, part 47 governs the applicable transportation procedures.
Includes traffic management
Transportation assistance and traffic management are expressly covered. Personnel handling routing, shipment control, carrier coordination, or similar traffic functions must use the transportation regulations in part 47.
Applies to contract administration
Administration of transportation contracts, transportation-related services, and other contracts involving transportation is covered. Even after award, transportation-specific requirements continue to apply during performance, oversight, and payment administration.
Covers Government-funded transportation payments
Part 47 applies to contracts paid from Government funds for transportation of supplies, transportation-related services, and transportation of contractor personnel and their personal belongings. This ensures transportation payment arrangements are managed under the proper rules.
Responsibilities
Government personnel concerned with acquisition
Identify when a procurement involves supplies, transportation, or transportation-related services and apply FAR part 47 as applicable.
Contracting Officers
Ensure solicitations, awards, and administration actions involving transportation matters follow the transportation rules in part 47 and incorporate the appropriate requirements into the contract.
Transportation specialists / traffic managers
Use part 47 procedures when arranging, managing, or overseeing transportation assistance, routing, shipment control, and related logistics functions.
Program and requiring activities
Recognize transportation elements in requirements early so the acquisition strategy and contract administration plan account for part 47 obligations.
Contract administrators
Apply part 47 during performance and payment administration for contracts involving transportation of supplies, transportation-related services, or contractor personnel and their belongings.
Practical Implications
This section is a trigger for transportation-specific compliance: if a contract touches transportation, personnel should check part 47 before proceeding under general acquisition rules alone.
A common pitfall is overlooking transportation elements in a broader supply or services contract; even if transportation is not the main purpose, part 47 may still apply.
Contracting officers should coordinate early with transportation or traffic management personnel to avoid using the wrong procedures, clauses, or payment methods.
Because the rule also covers contract administration, compliance does not end at award; shipment handling, routing, and payment actions may still require transportation-specific oversight.
For contractor personnel travel or shipment of personal belongings paid with Government funds, the transportation rules can affect how those costs are authorized, documented, and administered.
Official Regulatory Text
All Government personnel concerned with the following activities shall follow the regulations in part 47 as applicable: (a) Acquisition of supplies. (b) Acquisition of transportation and transportation-related services. (c) Transportation assistance and traffic management. (d) Administration of transportation contracts, transportation-related services, and other contracts that involve transportation. (e) The making and administration of contracts under which payments are made from Government funds for- (1) The transportation of supplies; (2) Transportation-related services; or (3) Transportation of contractor personnel and their personal belongings.