FAR 53.106—Special construction and printing.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 53.106 explains when contracting offices may ask for exceptions to standard government forms for special construction and printing needs, and it gives concrete examples of those exceptions. The section is about form customization, not contract policy: it tells agencies how certain standard forms may be physically produced or modified for use in procurement operations. It specifically addresses SF 18, SFs 26, 30, 33, and 1447, SF 44, and SF 1442, including options such as omitting vertical lines, creating reproducible masters, using carbon interleaved pads or sets, die-cut stencils, serial numbering, agency identification, special paper weight, and adding agency-required wording. It also notes that executive agencies may supplement the administrative instructions printed inside the front cover of the SF 44 book. In practice, this section matters because it allows agencies to tailor forms for efficient field use, printing, and reproduction while preserving the essential content and sequence of the prescribed forms. The key practical limit is that agencies may customize the physical format, but they should not alter the prescribed sequence and wording of the items on the form unless the regulation specifically allows it.
Key Rules
Exceptions May Be Requested
Contracting offices may request exceptions to standard forms for special construction and printing under FAR 53.103. This means the listed examples are permitted deviations from the normal form format when operational needs justify them.
SF 18 Customization
SF 18 may be produced without vertical lines, as reproducible masters, or in carbon interleaved pads or sets. These options support easier listing, copying, and multi-part use.
Certain Forms May Use Masters
SFs 26, 30, 33, and 1447 may be made as die-cut stencils or reproducible masters. This allows agencies to reproduce the forms efficiently for repeated use or local printing.
SF 44 Special Features
SF 44 may include serial numbers and the contracting office name and address, and it may be printed on special-weight paper with the construction, number of sets per book, and number of parts per set specified by the contracting officer. Executive agencies may also supplement the administrative instructions on the inside front cover of the book.
SF 1442 Additions Allowed
SF 1442 may be produced as die-cut stencils or reproducible masters and may include additional wording required by the executive agency. However, the sequence and wording of the items on the prescribed form should not be altered.
Prescribed Content Must Be Preserved
Even when special construction or printing is allowed, the core structure of the standard form must remain intact unless the regulation expressly permits a change. The main safeguard is that the form still functions as the prescribed government form.
Responsibilities
Contracting Office
Identify when a standard form needs special construction or printing, request the appropriate exception, and ensure the customized form still complies with the prescribed format and content requirements.
Contracting Officer
Specify the needed features for forms such as SF 44, including serial numbers, office identification, paper weight, number of sets, and number of parts per set, and ensure any added wording is authorized.
Executive Agency
May supplement the administrative instructions for SF 44 and may require additional wording on SF 1442, but must avoid changing the prescribed sequence and wording of form items.
Printing or Forms Support Personnel
Produce the forms in the approved special construction format, such as reproducible masters, die-cut stencils, or carbon interleaved sets, while preserving the required form content.
Practical Implications
This section is mainly about form production logistics, so it is important when agencies need forms for field use, bulk reproduction, or specialized procurement workflows.
A common pitfall is treating allowed physical changes as permission to rewrite the form; for most forms, the sequence and wording of the prescribed items should remain unchanged.
For SF 44, agencies should coordinate early on serial numbering, office identification, paper stock, and set configuration so the printed books match operational needs.
For SF 1442, agencies may add required wording, but they should be careful not to reorder or rephrase the form’s prescribed items.
Contracting staff should use the exception process rather than informal edits whenever a standard form needs a nonstandard layout or construction.
Official Regulatory Text
Contracting offices may request exceptions (see 53.103 ) to standard forms for special construction and printing. Examples of common exceptions are as follows: Standard Forms Special Construction and Printing (a) SF 18 - (1) With vertical lines omitted (for listing of supplies and services, unit, etc.); (2) As reproducible masters; and/or (3) In carbon interleaved pads or sets. (b) SF’s 26 , 30 , 33 , 1447 - As die-cut stencils or reproducible masters. (c) SF 44 - (1) With serial numbers and contracting office name and address; and/or (2) On special weight of paper and with the type of construction, number of sets per book, 2 and number of parts per set as specified by the contracting officer. (Executive agencies may supplement the administrative instructions on the inside front cover of the book.) (d) SF 1442 - (1) As die-cut stencils or reproducible masters; and/or (2) With additional wording as required by the executive agency. (However, the sequence and wording of the items appearing on the prescribed form should not be altered.