FAR 5.3—Subpart 5.3

General.

FAR 5.301 explains when contracting officers must publicize contract award information and related justifications in the Governmentwide Point of Entry (GPE), and when they do not have to. It covers synopsis requirements for certain contract awards over $25,000, including awards covered by the WTO Government Procurement Agreement or a Free Trade Agreement, awards likely to result in subcontracts, and certain actions over the simplified acquisition threshold such as Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) orders or blanket purchase agreements supported by a limited-source justification and task or delivery orders awarded without fair opportunity. It also addresses exceptions to synopsis, including national security, unsolicited research proposals, SBIR awards, certain orders under FAR parts 8 and 16, perishable subsistence supplies, sole-source utility services, small-dollar actions where notice was already available through the GPE and electronic response was allowed, and expert services for litigation or disputes. In addition, it requires posting of certain justifications for other-than-full-and-open competition, limited-sources justifications for larger FSS actions, and certain fair-opportunity exceptions. In practice, this section is about transparency: it tells agencies when the public must be informed of awards and why, while balancing that requirement against security, proprietary information, and acquisition efficiency.

Preparation and transmittal of synopses of awards.

FAR 5.302 is a very short cross-reference provision that tells contracting officers how to handle synopses of contract awards. It does not create a separate award-synopsis format or timing rule of its own; instead, it requires the contracting officer to transmit award synopses using the same method prescribed in FAR 5.207, which is the section that governs the preparation and transmittal of synopses generally. In practice, this means the award notice must follow the same procedural framework, content standards, and transmission process that apply to other required synopses, including use of the Governmentwide point of entry when applicable. The section exists to ensure consistency in public notice of contract awards and to support transparency, competition awareness, and market intelligence for industry. For contracting personnel, the practical significance is that award synopsis compliance depends on knowing and following the detailed requirements in FAR 5.207 rather than treating award notices as a separate, standalone process.

Announcement of contract awards.

FAR 5.303 governs when and how agencies publicly announce contract awards. It covers two related topics: the mandatory public release of award information for certain larger awards, and optional local announcements to the press or other media. The rule is designed to promote transparency while controlling the timing of release so the government can make a coordinated public announcement, typically at 5 p.m. Washington, DC time on the day of award. It also identifies specific exclusions from the mandatory reporting requirement, including certain SBA 8(a) awards, awards to foreign firms for performance or delivery outside the United States and its outlying areas, and awards exempt from synopsis under FAR 5.202(a)(1). For local announcements, the section requires agencies to include specific information depending on whether the award followed sealed bidding or negotiation, so the public receives a meaningful and accurate summary of the basis for award. In practice, this section affects contracting officers’ award-day workflow, agency public affairs coordination, and the content of any press release or local media notice.