FAR 9.106-2—Requests for preaward surveys.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 9.106-2 explains what a contracting officer must include when asking a surveying activity to conduct a preaward survey using SF 1403, Preaward Survey of Prospective Contractor (General). The section covers five specific request elements: identifying any additional factors needing information, providing the complete solicitation package and any known information about prior unsatisfactory performance, stating whether the contracting office will participate in the survey, setting the due date for the survey report, and limiting the scope of the survey when appropriate. Its purpose is to make sure the survey team has enough information to evaluate the prospective contractor efficiently and on the right issues before award. In practice, this section helps prevent incomplete or delayed surveys, focuses the survey on the government’s actual concerns, and supports a better-informed responsibility determination or award decision. It also signals that the contracting officer must actively manage the request, not simply forward a form without context.
Key Rules
Identify needed information
The request must tell the surveying activity what additional factors need information. This ensures the survey is targeted to the specific concerns the contracting officer needs resolved before award.
Include solicitation package
The contracting officer must include the complete solicitation package unless it was already furnished. The request must also include any information showing prior unsatisfactory performance by the prospective contractor.
State CO participation
The request must say whether the contracting office will participate in the survey. This lets the surveying activity plan interviews, site visits, and coordination appropriately.
Set a realistic due date
The request must specify when the report is due, and the date should match the scope of the survey. As a general rule, the schedule should allow at least 7 working days to complete the survey.
Limit scope when appropriate
When appropriate, the contracting officer should narrow the survey to the issues that matter for the acquisition. This avoids unnecessary work and keeps the survey focused on relevant risk areas.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Prepare the preaward survey request on SF 1403 and include the required information: additional factors needing review, the complete solicitation package if not already provided, any known prior unsatisfactory performance information, whether the contracting office will participate, the required report date, and any appropriate scope limitations.
Surveying Activity
Use the contracting officer’s request and supporting documents to conduct the survey and produce the report by the requested date, focusing on the issues identified in the request.
Contracting Office
Coordinate internally on whether it will participate in the survey and ensure the request is complete, timely, and aligned with the acquisition schedule and the scope of the needed review.
Practical Implications
A complete request reduces delays. If the contracting officer omits the solicitation package, prior performance information, or the due date, the survey may be incomplete or returned for clarification.
The 7-working-day guideline matters in scheduling. If the acquisition timeline is tight, the contracting officer should plan early enough to give the surveying activity a realistic window to investigate.
Scope control is important. Overly broad surveys can waste time and slow award; overly narrow surveys can miss risks that affect responsibility or performance.
Prior unsatisfactory performance information should not be buried. If the government already knows of performance problems, the survey team needs that information up front so it can verify and assess it.
Participation decisions should be explicit. If the contracting office plans to join the survey, that should be stated clearly so the surveying activity can coordinate interviews and site visits efficiently.
Official Regulatory Text
The contracting officer’s request to the surveying activity (Preaward Survey of Prospective Contractor (General), SF 1403 ) shall- (a) Identify additional factors about which information is needed; (b) Include the complete solicitation package (unless it has previously been furnished), and any information indicating prior unsatisfactory performance by the prospective contractor; (c) State whether the contracting office will participate in the survey; (d) Specify the date by which the report is required. This date should be consistent with the scope of the survey requested and normally shall allow at least 7 working days to conduct the survey; and (e) When appropriate, limit the scope of the survey.