FAR 51.104—Furnishing assistance to contractors.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 51.104 explains the government’s role in helping a contractor get set up to use Government supply and ordering systems after the contractor receives an activity address code. It requires the contracting officer to notify the appropriate GSA regional office or military activity, which then contacts the contractor and provides initial ordering information and instructions. The section also covers hands-on assistance, when needed, for preparing and submitting the initial FEDSTRIP or MILSTRIP requisitions, Optional Form 347, or other agency-approved forms, as well as completing GSA Form 457 for FSS publications mailing lists and GSA Form 3525 for Customer Supply Center services and address changes. In practice, this section is about onboarding the contractor into the correct ordering and publication-distribution channels so the contractor can receive required forms, instructions, and supply support without delay. It matters because early administrative setup errors can disrupt ordering, publication delivery, and supply center communications, especially for contractors performing work that depends on government-furnished ordering processes.
Key Rules
Notify the right support office
After the contractor receives an activity address code, the contracting officer must notify the appropriate GSA regional office or military activity. This triggers the government-side onboarding process and ensures the contractor is contacted by the office that can provide the needed ordering support.
Provide initial ordering guidance
The GSA regional office or military activity must contact the contractor and provide initial copies of ordering information and instructions. This gives the contractor the basic procedural guidance needed to begin using the applicable supply or ordering system correctly.
Assist with initial requisitions
When necessary, the support office must help the contractor prepare and submit the initial FEDSTRIP or MILSTRIP requisitions, Optional Form 347, or other agency-approved forms. The assistance is intended to reduce setup errors and ensure the contractor’s first orders are properly formatted and submitted.
Support publication mailing setup
If needed, the support office must help complete GSA Form 457, FSS Publications Mailing List Application. This ensures the contractor automatically receives current copies of required publications without having to request them individually each time.
Support supply center services
If needed, the support office must help complete GSA Form 3525, Application for Customer Supply Center Services and (Address Change). This allows the contractor to establish or update access to Customer Supply Center services and maintain correct address information.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
After the contractor receives an activity address code, notify the appropriate GSA regional office or military activity so the contractor can be contacted and assisted with setup.
GSA Regional Office or Military Activity
Contact the contractor, provide initial copies of ordering information and instructions, and when necessary assist with preparing and submitting the initial requisitions and required forms.
Contractor
Work with the contacted support office to complete and submit the required requisitions and forms, and provide accurate information needed to establish ordering, publication, and supply center services.
Practical Implications
This is an onboarding provision, so the main day-to-day effect is making sure the contractor can start ordering correctly and receive the right publications and supply support from the beginning.
A common pitfall is failing to notify the proper GSA regional office or military activity promptly after the activity address code is assigned, which can delay setup and first orders.
Another risk is using the wrong form or incomplete information on FEDSTRIP/MILSTRIP requisitions, OF 347, GSA Form 457, or GSA Form 3525, which can cause processing delays or rejected submissions.
Contractors should expect the government support office to provide guidance, but they still need to supply accurate administrative data and follow the instructions they receive.
Contracting officers should treat this as a coordination step, not a discretionary courtesy, because the section places an affirmative notification duty on them.
Official Regulatory Text
After receiving an activity address code, the contracting officer will notify the appropriate GSA regional office or military activity, which will contact the contractor and- (a) Provide initial copies of ordering information and instructions; and (b) When necessary, assist the contractor in preparing and submitting, as appropriate- (1) The initial FEDSTRIP or MILSTRIP requisitions, the Optional Form 347 , or the agency-approved forms; (2) A completed GSA Form 457, FSS Publications Mailing List Application, so that the contractor will automatically receive current copies of required publications; or (3) A completed GSA Form 3525, Application for Customer Supply Center Services and (Address Change).