FAR 47—Transportation

Scope of part.

FAR 47.000 explains the scope of FAR Part 47, which covers transportation and traffic management in federal acquisitions. It tells contracting personnel that this part applies to two main subjects: how to apply transportation and traffic management considerations when buying supplies, and how to acquire transportation or transportation-related services using contract methods other than bills of lading, transportation requests, transportation warrants, and similar transportation forms. It also clarifies that transportation services may be acquired either under the FAR or under specific statutory authorities in 49 U.S.C. 10721 or 49 U.S.C. 13712. Although the FAR does not regulate transportation acquisitions when the bill of lading itself is the contract, the part still provides guidance on using bills of lading because they are widely used in practice. Finally, the section warns that the definitions in Part 47 are condensed from statutes, and if there is any conflict, the statute controls. In practical terms, this section is a roadmap: it tells agencies and contractors when Part 47 applies, when other legal authorities may govern, and where to look for guidance on common transportation contracting methods.

Definitions.

FAR 47.001 is the definitions section for FAR Part 47, which governs transportation and transportation-related services in federal contracting. It defines the key terms used throughout the part, including bill of lading, commercial bill of lading (CBL), Government bill of lading (GBL), carrier or commercial carrier, common carrier, contract carrier, Government rate tender, household goods, noncontiguous domestic trade, and released or declared value. These definitions matter because they determine which transportation document or carrier arrangement applies, who has authority to issue or approve shipping documents, how transportation charges are handled, and how loss or damage claims are measured. In practice, the definitions control whether a shipment is treated as an accountable Government shipment or a commercial shipment, whether special rules apply to household goods or Alaska/Hawaii/territorial traffic, and what value is used to limit reimbursement if cargo is lost or damaged. Contractors, carriers, and contracting personnel must use these terms consistently because they affect shipping authority, liability, customs clearance, rate application, and claims recovery.

Subpart 47.1

Applicability.

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.

Subpart 47.2

Subpart 47.3

Subpart 47.4

Subpart 47.5