FAR 52.246-14—Inspection of Transportation.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 52.246-14, Inspection of Transportation, is a clause used in certain transportation-service contracts to give the Government a formal right to inspect and test the contractor’s transportation services, facilities, and equipment. The clause applies to freight transportation services, including local drayage, by rail, motor (including bus), domestic freight forwarder, and domestic water carriers (including inland, coastwise, and intercoastal). It specifically excludes use for domestic or international air carriers, international ocean carriers, freight services provided under bills of lading, and transportation negotiated at reduced rates under 49 U.S.C. 10721 or 13712. In practice, the clause is about oversight and quality assurance in transportation contracting: it lets the Government verify that the carrier’s operations, equipment, and service performance meet contract requirements. It also requires the contractor to provide free access, reasonable facilities, and assistance so Government representatives can carry out inspections and tests. For contracting officers, the key issue is knowing when the clause is prescribed and when it is prohibited; for contractors, the key issue is understanding that Government inspection rights extend beyond paperwork to operational access.
Key Rules
Applies to specific freight services
The clause is prescribed for freight transportation services, including local drayage, by rail, motor, domestic freight forwarder, and domestic water carriers. It is intended for transportation service contracts where the Government needs inspection rights over the carrier’s performance and operations.
Not for air or international ocean
The contracting officer must not use this clause for domestic or international air carriers or for international ocean carriers. Those transportation modes are excluded from this inspection clause and are governed by other transportation rules and contract terms.
Not for bills of lading
The clause may not be used for freight services provided under bills of lading. If the transportation is arranged and documented under a bill of lading, this inspection clause is not the proper clause to insert.
Not for reduced-rate transportation
The clause must not be used for transportation negotiated at reduced rates under 49 U.S.C. 10721 or 13712. Those statutory rate arrangements are outside the scope of this clause.
Government may inspect and test
The Government has the right to inspect and test the contractor’s services, facilities, and equipment at all reasonable times. This gives the Government an active oversight right, not just a passive right to review records.
Contractor must provide access and support
The contractor must furnish Government representatives free access and reasonable facilities and assistance needed to conduct inspections and tests. The contractor cannot charge for that access or unreasonably hinder the Government’s review.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Determine whether the acquisition is for a transportation service covered by the clause and insert the clause only when prescribed. The contracting officer must also avoid using it in the excluded situations: air carriers, international ocean carriers, bills of lading, and reduced-rate transportation under the cited statutes.
Government Representatives / Inspectors
Exercise the Government’s inspection and testing rights at reasonable times and use the access provided to evaluate the contractor’s services, facilities, and equipment. They should conduct inspections in a manner consistent with the contract and operational realities of transportation service.
Contractor
Allow Government representatives free access, provide reasonable facilities, and give the assistance needed to complete inspections and tests. The contractor must not obstruct, delay, or condition the Government’s inspection rights.
Agency / Transportation Activity
Ensure transportation requirements are structured under the correct procurement method and clause set, and coordinate with the contracting officer so the inspection clause is used only where authorized. The agency should also align oversight practices with the transportation mode and governing transportation rules.
Practical Implications
This clause matters most in operational transportation contracts because it gives the Government direct visibility into how services are actually performed, not just whether invoices are submitted correctly.
A common pitfall is using the clause in the wrong type of transportation arrangement, especially bills of lading or excluded air/ocean services; that can create contract administration problems and inconsistent terms.
Contractors should expect possible site visits, equipment checks, and service verification, and should maintain facilities and records in a condition that supports inspection.
The phrase “all reasonable times” means inspections should be practical and not arbitrary, but contractors still need to be prepared for oversight during normal operating periods.
For contracting officers, the main watch-out is clause selection: transportation contracting is highly mode-specific, and the wrong clause can conflict with statutory or regulatory transportation frameworks.
Official Regulatory Text
As prescribed in 46.314 , insert the following clause in solicitations and contracts for freight transportation services (including local drayage) by rail, motor (including bus), domestic freight forwarder, and domestic water carriers (including inland, coastwise, and intercoastal). The contracting officer shall not use the clause for the acquisition of transportation services by domestic or international air carriers or by international ocean carriers, or to freight services provided under bills of lading or to those negotiated for reduced rates under 49 U.S.C.10721 or 1 3712 . (See part 47 , Transportation.) Inspection of Transportation (Apr 1984) The Government has the right to inspect and test the Contractor’s services, facilities, and equipment at all reasonable times. The Contractor shall furnish Government representatives with the free access and reasonable facilities and assistance required to accomplish their inspections and tests. (End of clause)