FAR 47.305-1—Solicitation requirements.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 47.305-1 tells contracting officers what transportation and shipment information must be requested in solicitations when buying supplies on f.o.b. origin or f.o.b. destination terms. The purpose is to give the Government enough data to evaluate freight costs, packaging efficiency, shipment size, carrier access, and any transportation advantages the offeror can provide. The section specifically covers modes of transportation; rail carrier names; daily loading capacity; packaging type and freight-classification package numbers; units per container; guaranteed maximum shipping weight and container dimensions; minimum shipment size; how many containers or units fit in a normal conveyance; freight-classification or tariff descriptions tied to the lowest freight rates; benefits from transit arrangements; and any other requirements identified elsewhere in the FAR. In practice, this information helps the Government compare offers on a true delivered-cost basis and avoid hidden transportation costs or logistical problems. It also gives offerors a clear notice of the shipment data they must provide so the agency can plan transportation and determine the most economical shipping method.
Key Rules
Include shipment data in solicitations
When supplies are being acquired on f.o.b. origin or f.o.b. destination terms, the contracting officer must put a solicitation requirement for the offeror to furnish applicable transportation and shipping data. The rule is mandatory, but only the data relevant to the particular acquisition must be requested.
Request transportation modes and carriers
The solicitation should ask for the modes of transportation the offeror can use and, if rail is involved, the names of rail carriers serving the facility. This helps the Government understand access to transportation and potential freight options.
Request loading and packaging details
The offeror may need to provide the number of rail cars, trucks, or other conveyances that can be loaded per day, plus packaging type, package numbers under the governing freight classification, and the number of units per container. These details support shipment planning and freight-rate evaluation.
Request shipment dimensions and weight limits
The solicitation should seek guaranteed maximum shipping weight, cubic measurement, and the length, width, and height of each container. It should also ask for the minimum size of each shipment and how many containers or units fit in a normal conveyance of specified type and size.
Request freight classification and rate information
Offerors must describe the material using the governing freight classification, tariff, or Government rate tender under which the lowest freight rates apply. This allows the Government to identify the most favorable transportation pricing category.
Request transit arrangement benefits
If the offeror has transit arrangements that benefit the Government, the solicitation should require disclosure of those benefits. This can affect the total delivered cost and the Government’s transportation strategy.
Include other required transportation data
The solicitation must also include any additional requirements stated under specific FAR section headings. This catch-all ensures the contracting officer does not omit transportation-related information required elsewhere in the FAR.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Determine whether the acquisition uses f.o.b. origin or f.o.b. destination terms and include in the solicitation a requirement for the offeror to furnish all applicable transportation and shipment data. The contracting officer must tailor the request to the acquisition and incorporate any additional transportation-related requirements found in other FAR sections.
Offeror
Provide the transportation, packaging, shipment, freight-classification, and transit-arrangement information requested in the solicitation, to the extent it applies to the offeror’s facility and the supplies being offered.
Agency
Use the information collected to evaluate freight costs, shipment feasibility, and transportation advantages, and to support procurement planning and delivery arrangements.
Practical Implications
This section is mainly about getting the data needed to calculate true delivered cost, not just unit price. A low-priced offer can become expensive if freight, packaging, or shipment constraints are unfavorable.
A common pitfall is asking for too little detail. If the solicitation does not request the applicable transportation data, the Government may not be able to compare offers accurately or plan efficient delivery.
Another risk is over-requesting irrelevant information. The rule says to ask for as much of the listed data as is applicable, so the contracting officer should tailor the request to the commodity and shipping method.
Offerors should be prepared to document packaging, dimensions, weights, carrier access, and freight-classification details early, because these can affect both pricing and responsiveness to the solicitation.
The information can also reveal whether an offeror has special transit arrangements or shipping efficiencies that should be considered in source selection or award planning.
Official Regulatory Text
When the acquisition of supplies is on f.o.b. origin or f.o.b. destination delivery terms, the contracting officer shall include in solicitations a requirement that the offeror furnish the Government as much of the following data as is applicable to the particular acquisition: (a) Modes of transportation and, if rail transportation is used, names of rail carriers serving the offeror’s facility. (b) The number of railroad cars, motor trucks, or other conveyances that can be loaded per day. (c) Type of packaging; e.g., box, carton, crate, drum, bundle, skids, and when applicable, package number from the governing freight classification. (d) Number of units packed in one container. (e) Guaranteed maximum shipping weight; cubic measurement; and length, width, and height of each container. (f) Minimum size of each shipment. (g) Number of containers or units that can be loaded in a car, truck, or other conveyance of the size normally used (specify type and size) for the commodity. (h) Description of material in terms of the governing freight classification or tariff (or Government rate tender) under which lowest freight rates are applicable. (i) Benefits available to the Government under transit arrangements made by the offeror. (j) Other requirements as stated under specific section headings.