FAR 47.305-12—Delivery of Government-furnished property.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 47.305-12 addresses how the Government must describe and arrange delivery of Government-furnished property (GFP) when transportation matters affect pricing or performance. It covers two main subjects: first, what the contracting officer must put in the solicitation and contract when GFP will be furnished and the Government’s transportation costs are part of the offer evaluation; and second, how explosive and dangerous material must be identified for shipping purposes. In practice, this section is meant to give offerors enough information to price transportation accurately, avoid ambiguity about where property is located and how it will be delivered, and ensure hazardous shipments are described in a way that supports proper freight handling and compliance. It also requires use of the F.o.b. Point for Delivery of Government-Furnished Property clause when the Government is responsible for transportation arrangements and costs. For contractors and contracting officers, the practical effect is that GFP delivery terms, shipping responsibility, and hazardous material descriptions must be clear up front to prevent pricing errors, disputes, and safety or compliance problems.
Key Rules
Describe GFP for pricing
When Government property will be furnished and transportation costs to the Government affect evaluation, the solicitation must clearly describe the property, its location, and any other information needed for offerors to prepare cost estimates. This ensures transportation-related costs are priced on a common and accurate basis.
Use the required delivery clause
If Government property is to be furnished and the Government will handle transportation arrangements and pay the transportation costs, the contracting officer must include the clause at 52.247-55, F.o.b. Point for Delivery of Government-Furnished Property, in both the solicitation and the contract.
Identify hazardous shipments properly
Explosive and dangerous material must be described using both the regular freight classification and the hazardous material description and hazard class shown in 49 CFR 172.101. This ties procurement documentation to transportation safety and shipping compliance requirements.
Provide enough location detail
The contracting officer must identify where the Government-furnished property is located so offerors can estimate pickup, handling, and delivery costs. Vague or incomplete location information can distort competition and lead to inaccurate pricing.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Include a clear description of Government-furnished property, its location, and any other information needed for cost estimates when transportation costs are part of evaluation. Insert FAR 52.247-55 when the Government will arrange and pay for transportation of the GFP. Describe explosive and dangerous material using the required freight classification and hazardous material information from 49 CFR 172.101.
Offerors/Contractors
Use the solicitation’s GFP description, location data, and transportation terms to prepare accurate cost estimates and pricing. When hazardous material is involved, rely on the stated freight and hazard classifications to plan compliant shipping, handling, and cost assumptions.
Government Transportation/Property Personnel
Support the contracting officer with accurate property location, condition, and shipping information so the solicitation and contract reflect the actual transportation burden and any hazardous material characteristics.
Practical Implications
This section matters most when transportation cost can change the evaluated price, because incomplete GFP information can make bids noncomparable or lead to unrealistic pricing.
The biggest drafting risk is failing to identify the property’s location or shipping conditions clearly enough for offerors to estimate pickup and delivery costs.
If the Government is responsible for transportation, omitting FAR 52.247-55 can create disputes over who arranges shipment and who pays.
For explosive or dangerous material, using only a generic description is not enough; the freight classification and the 49 CFR 172.101 hazard class must both be stated.
Contracting officers should verify that property and hazardous material data are accurate before solicitation release, since errors can affect pricing, safety, and compliance with transportation rules.
Official Regulatory Text
(a) (1) When Government property is furnished to a contractor and transportation costs to the Government are a factor in the evaluation of offers, the contracting officer shall include in the solicitation a clear description of the property, its location, and other information necessary for the preparation of cost estimates. (2) The contracting officer shall insert in solicitations and contracts the clause at 52.247-55 , F.o.b. Point for Delivery of Government-Furnished Property, when Government property is to be furnished under a contract and the Government will be responsible for transportation arrangements and costs. (b) The contracting officer shall describe explosive and dangerous material according to- (1) The regular freight classification and (2) The hazardous material description and hazard class as shown in 49 CFR172.101.