FAR 53.216-1—Delivery orders and orders under basic ordering agreements (OF 347).
Plain-English Summary
FAR 53.216-1 is a form-use provision that tells contracting personnel what document may be used to place delivery orders and orders under basic ordering agreements. Specifically, it authorizes use of OF 347, Order for Supplies or Services, or an approved agency form, for orders placed under indefinite-delivery contracts and basic ordering agreements when those arrangements are covered by FAR 16.703(d)(2)(i). In practice, this section is about administrative execution rather than substantive ordering authority: it identifies the standard order form that can be used to issue tasking against existing contract vehicles. Its purpose is to promote consistency, reduce paperwork variation, and ensure orders are documented on a recognized form that captures the essential ordering information. For contractors and contracting officers, the practical significance is that the order document itself may be a standard OF 347 or equivalent agency form, but the underlying ordering must still comply with the terms of the contract or BOA and the applicable ordering procedures in FAR Part 16.
Key Rules
OF 347 is authorized
The Order for Supplies or Services, OF 347, is an approved form for placing orders under indefinite-delivery contracts and basic ordering agreements. This gives contracting offices a standard vehicle for issuing delivery or task orders.
Agency forms may substitute
An approved agency form may be used instead of OF 347. The key requirement is that the agency form must be approved for this purpose and function as the ordering document.
Applies to ID contracts and BOAs
The section covers orders under indefinite-delivery contracts and basic ordering agreements, not standalone new procurements. It is tied to the ordering framework described in FAR 16.703(d)(2)(i).
Form use does not replace contract terms
Using OF 347 or an agency form does not change the substantive requirements of the underlying contract or BOA. The order must still be issued and administered in accordance with the applicable ordering procedures and contract terms.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Use OF 347 or an approved agency form when placing orders under eligible indefinite-delivery contracts or basic ordering agreements, and ensure the order complies with the underlying contract, BOA, and applicable FAR ordering rules.
Agency
Provide or approve agency forms that may be used in place of OF 347 and ensure internal ordering procedures align with FAR requirements.
Contractor
Review orders issued on OF 347 or an agency form, confirm they are within the scope and terms of the contract or BOA, and perform only the work properly ordered under the applicable vehicle.
Practical Implications
This section is mainly about documentation, so the biggest day-to-day issue is using the correct order form rather than creating ad hoc paperwork.
A common pitfall is assuming the form itself authorizes the order; in reality, the order must still be within the scope and terms of the underlying contract or BOA.
Contracting offices should verify that any agency-specific form is actually approved for this use and is not missing required ordering data.
Contractors should check that the order references the correct contract or BOA and that the ordered supplies or services match the authorized ordering vehicle.
Because this provision is brief, users often overlook the cross-reference to FAR 16.703(d)(2)(i); that reference is important for understanding when and how the form may be used.
Official Regulatory Text
OF 347 , Order for Supplies or Services. OF 347 , prescribed in 53.213 (f) (or an approved agency form), may be used to place orders under indefinite delivery contracts and basic ordering agreements, as specified in 16.703 (d)(2)(i).