FAR 52.214-14—Place of Performance-Sealed Bidding.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 52.214-14, Place of Performance—Sealed Bidding, is a bid provision used in sealed bidding to identify whether the bidder plans to perform the resulting contract at one or more plants or facilities located at an address different from the bidder’s address shown in the bid. It requires the bidder to choose either “intends” or “does not intend” and, if the bidder intends to use another plant or facility, to provide the place of performance and the name and address of the owner and operator of that plant or facility if it is not the bidder. The provision exists to give the Government visibility into where contract performance will actually occur, which can matter for responsibility determinations, inspection, logistics, security, industrial capability, and compliance with solicitation requirements. In practice, it helps the contracting officer understand whether the bidder will rely on subcontractors, affiliates, or separate facilities, and it creates a record that can be used to evaluate the bid and administer the contract. Because it is a sealed-bidding provision, the information is generally expected at bid submission, not negotiated later. The provision does not itself require the bidder to use a particular location; it requires disclosure of the intended place of performance when it differs from the bidder’s own address.
Key Rules
Bidder must choose one option
The bidder must check either “intends” or “does not intend” in paragraph (a). This is a required representation about whether performance will occur at a different plant or facility than the bidder’s address shown in the bid.
Different performance site must be disclosed
If the bidder intends to use one or more plants or facilities at a different address, the bidder must provide the place of performance information in the spaces provided. The disclosure must identify the street address, city, state, county, and ZIP Code.
Owner and operator must be identified
When the plant or facility is not owned and operated by the bidder, the bidder must provide the name and address of the owner and operator. This helps the Government identify the actual performance location and the responsible entity controlling the site.
Applies in sealed bidding
This provision is used in sealed bidding solicitations, not as a general post-award reporting requirement. The information is part of the bid and is intended to be available when bids are opened and evaluated.
Supports evaluation and administration
The disclosed place of performance can affect the Government’s understanding of how the bidder will perform, including whether the bidder has the necessary facilities and whether any solicitation-specific requirements depend on the performance location.
Incomplete answers create risk
Failing to check a box or failing to provide required facility information can create bid responsiveness issues or at least raise questions that the contracting officer must resolve under sealed-bidding rules.
Responsibilities
Bidder
Must indicate whether it intends to use one or more plants or facilities at a different address from its own bid address. If it intends to do so, it must complete the place-of-performance information and identify the owner and operator when different from the bidder.
Contracting Officer
Must include the provision when prescribed by FAR 14.201-6(h), review the bid for completion, and use the disclosed information as part of the sealed-bidding evaluation and responsibility review as appropriate.
Agency/Requirement Owner
Should ensure the solicitation includes the provision when required and that the disclosed place-of-performance information is considered if the location affects inspection, security, logistics, or other contract requirements.
Plant or Facility Owner/Operator
Has no direct obligation under the provision, but may be identified in the bid when the bidder will perform at a facility it does not own or operate.
Practical Implications
Bidders should treat this as a required bid-entry item, not a formality. Leaving the box blank or omitting facility details can create avoidable bid problems.
The provision is especially important when work will be done at a subcontractor’s shop, a sister company’s plant, or a leased facility. The Government wants to know where the work will actually happen.
Contracting officers should check whether the disclosed location is consistent with the bidder’s apparent capability and any solicitation requirements tied to location, such as inspection access or security constraints.
The term “place of performance” here is about physical performance sites, not just the bidder’s mailing address or corporate headquarters. Those are not necessarily the same.
If multiple facilities will be used, the bidder should disclose each one as required by the solicitation language and provide enough detail for the Government to identify the sites clearly.
Official Regulatory Text
As prescribed in 14.201-6 (h) , insert the following provision: Place of Performance-Sealed Bidding (Apr 1985) (a) The bidder, in the performance of any contract resulting from this solicitation, □ intends, □ does not intend [ check applicable box ] to use one or more plants or facilities located at a different address from the address of the bidder as indicated in this bid. (b) If the bidder checks "intends" in paragraph (a) of this provision, it shall insert in the spaces provided below the required information: Place of Performance (Street Address, City, State, County, ZIP Code) Name and Address of Owner and Operator of the Plant or Facility if Other than Bidder ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ (End of provision)