FAR 47.200—Scope of subpart.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 47.200 defines the scope of FAR Subpart 47.2, which sets the procedures for acquiring transportation services and related logistics support by sealed bid or negotiated contract. It covers freight transportation by rail, motor, domestic water, and freight forwarders, as well as transportation-related services such as stevedoring, storage, packing, marking, and ocean freight forwarding. The section also explains important exclusions, including air carriers, international ocean carriers, transportation acquired by bills of lading, certain household goods moves priced under specific statutory rates, and acquisitions at or below the simplified acquisition threshold. It further identifies situations where the subpart may still be used with modifications, including freight from air and international ocean carriers and passenger transportation from any carrier or mode. In addition, it addresses household goods transportation for government-funded relocations and points users to special rules for DoD and for commuted rate schedules under the Federal Travel Regulation. In practice, this section is the gateway for deciding whether the FAR transportation acquisition procedures apply, which acquisition method is appropriate, and whether another regulatory framework controls the purchase.
Key Rules
Subpart covers freight and related services
This subpart applies to acquiring freight transportation by sealed bid or negotiated contract from rail, motor, domestic water carriers, and freight forwarders. It also covers transportation-related services such as stevedoring, storage, packing, marking, and ocean freight forwarding.
Air and international ocean excluded
As a general rule, the subpart does not apply to freight transportation from domestic or international air carriers or from international ocean carriers. Those acquisitions are governed instead by FAR Subparts 47.4 and 47.5, unless the procedures are used with appropriate modifications under paragraph (c).
Bills of lading are outside scope
Freight transportation acquired by bills of lading is excluded from this subpart. If the agency is using a bill of lading arrangement rather than a contract under this subpart, these procedures do not control.
Household goods rate exceptions
Household goods moves are generally covered when they are for persons relocated at Government expense, but the subpart does not apply when the move is acquired under commuted rate schedules in the Federal Travel Regulation, by DoD under the Defense Transportation Regulation, or under 49 U.S.C. 10721 and 13712 rates.
Small purchases are excluded
Contracts at or below the simplified acquisition threshold are outside the scope of this subpart. For those buys, the agency uses the applicable simplified acquisition procedures rather than the transportation-specific procedures here.
Modified use is allowed
With appropriate modifications, the procedures in this subpart may be applied to freight transportation from air and international ocean carriers, and to passenger transportation from any carrier or mode. This gives agencies flexibility, but only if the procedures are adapted to fit the different transportation context.
DoD has extra guidance
For Department of Defense acquisitions of freight and passenger transportation, additional guidance is found in the Defense Transportation Regulation. DoD users must check that regulation alongside the FAR.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Determine whether the planned transportation acquisition falls within FAR Subpart 47.2 or is excluded by another rule. Select the proper acquisition method, apply any required modifications, and ensure the correct regulatory framework is used for household goods, passenger transportation, air, ocean, bill of lading, or simplified acquisition threshold buys.
Agency Transportation/Logistics Personnel
Identify the mode of transportation, the type of service needed, and any special statutory or regulatory authority that applies. Provide the contracting officer with accurate information so the correct procedures, rate structure, and governing regulation are used.
DoD Acquisition Personnel
Follow the Defense Transportation Regulation for DoD freight and passenger transportation acquisitions and use FAR Subpart 47.2 only as supplemented or modified by DoD-specific guidance.
Contractor/Carrier
Understand which procurement framework governs the solicitation or agreement, including whether the acquisition is under this subpart, another FAR subpart, a bill of lading arrangement, or a statutory rate regime. Provide services and pricing consistent with the applicable transportation authority.
Travel/Relocation Officials
For government-funded household goods moves, ensure the acquisition method matches the applicable travel or relocation authority, including commuted rate schedules, DoD rules, or statutory rates where relevant.
Practical Implications
The first practical question is always whether Subpart 47.2 applies at all; the mode of transport and the acquisition vehicle matter more than the label on the requirement. Misclassifying an air, ocean, bill of lading, or simplified acquisition buy can lead to using the wrong procedures and invalidating the procurement approach.
Household goods moves are a common trap because they may be covered, but only if they are not being acquired under one of the listed exceptions. Contracting teams should confirm whether the move is under commuted rates, DoD rules, or statutory rates before applying this subpart.
If the agency is buying passenger transportation, this section allows use of these procedures only with appropriate modifications, so users should not assume the freight rules apply unchanged. The acquisition file should explain what was modified and why.
DoD users need to check the Defense Transportation Regulation early, not after the solicitation is drafted, because it may impose additional or different requirements. Failing to coordinate FAR and DoD guidance can create compliance gaps.
Because the subpart excludes contracts at or below the simplified acquisition threshold, small transportation buys should be routed through the correct simplified acquisition process rather than forced into transportation-specific contracting procedures.
Official Regulatory Text
(a) This subpart prescribes procedures for the acquisition by sealed bid or negotiated contracts of- (1) Freight transportation (including local drayage) from rail, motor (including bus), domestic water (including inland, coastwise, and intercoastal) carriers, and from freight forwarders; and (2) Transportation-related services including but not limited to stevedoring, storage, packing, marking, and ocean freight forwarding. (b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, this subpart does not apply to- (1) The acquisition of freight transportation from- (i) Domestic or international air carriers; and (ii) International ocean carriers (see subparts 47.4 and 47.5 ); (2) Freight transportation acquired by bills of lading; (3) Household goods for which rates are negotiated under 49 U.S.C. 10721 and 13712 . (These statutes do not apply in intrastate moves); or (4) Contracts at or below the simplified acquisition threshold. (c) With appropriate modifications, the procedures in this subpart may be applied to the acquisition of freight transportation from the carriers listed in paragraph (b)(1) of this section and passenger transportation from any carrier or mode. (d) The procedures in this subpart are applicable to the transportation of household goods of persons being relocated at Government expense except when acquired- (1) Under the commuted rate schedules as required in the Federal Travel Regulation (41 CFR Chapter 302); (2) By DoD under the DoD 4500.9-R, Defense Transportation Regulation; or (3) Under 49 U.S.C. 10721 and 13712 rates. (These statutes do not apply in intrastate moves.) (e) Additional guidance for DoD acquisition of freight and passenger transportation is in the Defense Transportation Regulation.