FAR 47.301-2—Participation of transportation officers.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 47.301-2 addresses the role of agency transportation officers in the acquisition process. It requires transportation officers to participate in both the solicitation and evaluation of offers so that transportation-related considerations are built into the buying decision from the start. The section specifically identifies the factors that must be considered, including transportation costs, transit arrangements, time in transit, and port capabilities. It also requires transportation officers to provide traffic management assistance throughout the acquisition cycle, with a cross-reference to FAR 47.105 on transportation assistance. In practical terms, this section exists to prevent agencies from awarding contracts based only on price or technical merit while overlooking logistics realities that can materially affect total cost, delivery performance, and mission success. It helps ensure solicitations and resulting contracts are advantageous to the Government by integrating transportation expertise into planning, competition, evaluation, and execution.
Key Rules
Transportation input is required
Agency transportation officers must participate in the solicitation and evaluation of offers. Their involvement is not optional; it is intended to ensure transportation issues are considered before award decisions are made.
Consider key logistics factors
Solicitations and evaluations must account for transportation costs, transit arrangements, time in transit, and port capabilities. These factors can affect both total cost and the Government’s ability to receive supplies or services on time.
Aim for government advantage
The purpose of transportation officer participation is to help produce solicitations and contracts that are advantageous to the Government. That means acquisition decisions should reflect the full logistics picture, not just the lowest evaluated price or the most attractive technical proposal.
Provide ongoing assistance
Transportation officers must provide traffic management assistance throughout the acquisition cycle. Their role extends beyond pre-award review and continues through planning, solicitation, evaluation, award, and performance support.
Follow related guidance
The section points readers to FAR 47.105, Transportation assistance, for additional detail. This means transportation officer support should be coordinated with the broader transportation assistance framework in the FAR.
Responsibilities
Agency Transportation Officers
Participate in solicitation development and offer evaluation; identify and analyze transportation costs, transit arrangements, transit time, and port capabilities; provide traffic management assistance throughout the acquisition cycle; help ensure the resulting solicitation and contract are advantageous to the Government.
Contracting Officers
Include transportation officers in the acquisition process when transportation factors may affect the procurement; consider and incorporate transportation advice into solicitation and source selection decisions; coordinate with transportation personnel to avoid overlooking logistics requirements.
Acquisition Team / Program Office
Work with transportation officers early enough for logistics factors to influence requirements, solicitation terms, and evaluation criteria; provide information needed to assess shipping, delivery, and port-related constraints.
Agency
Ensure transportation expertise is available and integrated into acquisition planning and execution so transportation considerations are addressed consistently across the acquisition cycle.
Practical Implications
Transportation issues should be addressed early, not after proposals are received. If logistics constraints are discovered late, the agency may face avoidable delays, higher costs, or a flawed evaluation.
A common pitfall is focusing only on unit price or technical score while ignoring total delivered cost and delivery feasibility. Transportation costs, transit time, and port limitations can materially change which offer is best for the Government.
Contracting teams should coordinate with transportation officers when drafting delivery terms, shipping instructions, and evaluation factors. Poor coordination can lead to unrealistic schedules or contract terms that are hard to perform.
Port capabilities and transit arrangements matter especially for overseas, remote, or time-sensitive acquisitions. Failing to account for them can cause bottlenecks, missed delivery dates, or increased risk during performance.
Transportation officer involvement is not just a compliance step; it is a risk-management tool. Their input helps the Government avoid hidden logistics costs and improve the likelihood of successful contract performance.
Official Regulatory Text
Agencies’ transportation officers shall participate in the solicitation and evaluation of offers to ensure that all necessary transportation factors, such as transportation costs, transit arrangements, time in transit, and port capabilities, are considered and result in solicitations and contracts advantageous to the Government. Transportation officers shall provide traffic management assistance throughout the acquisition cycle (see 47.105 , Transportation assistance).