Uniform Contract Format (UCF)
The Federal Acquisition Regulation (“FAR”) specifies the format contracting officers must use in developing solicitations and contracts. This format is codified in Section 15.204 of the FAR. Uniform contract requirements ensure consistent and efficient forms across the board. This uniform contract format is not only convenient for agencies to quickly and efficiently draft and review proposals, it is also beneficial to contractors when it comes to preparation of the proposal. The UCF gives the entire solicitation process a predictability factor, which eases stress of preparation. In addition, agencies will have an easier time reviewing and understanding the documents provided by offerors, contractors, and contract administrators. FAR § 15.204.
The UCF requirements apply to all negotiated solicitations and contracts except for construction and architect-engineer contracts; subsistence contracts; supplies or services contracts requiring special contract formats prescribed elsewhere that are inconsistent with the uniform format; letter requests for proposals; and contracts exempted by the agency head or designee. Thus, most solicitations and resulting contracts will use the UCF. Section 15.204-1 of the FAR specifically lists the required Sections and Parts of the UCF, which is illustrated below.
Part I – The Schedule
A: Solicitation/Contract Form
B: Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs
C: Description/Specifications/Statement of Work
D: Packaging and Marking
E: Inspection and Acceptance
F: Deliveries or Performance
G: Contract Administration Data
H: Special Contract Requirements
Part II – Contract Clauses
I: Contract Clauses
Part III – List of Documents, Exhibits, and Other Attachments
J: List of Attachments
Part IV – Representations and Instructions
K: Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Offerors or Respondents
L: Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors or Respondents
M: Evaluation Factors for Award
Each Part of the UCF contains specific sections, which makes it easier for readers to quickly find a certain part of the solicitation or contract. The four Parts of the UCF, and their respective sections, are discussed in more detail below.
Part I is referred to as the “schedule,” which details information regarding the procurement. It includes sections A-H, as follows.
- Section A includes the invitation for bids and is the first page of the solicitation. This section is essentially a cover sheet, which provides background information regarding where to submit proposals, who to contact with questions, and the specified number of pages for the proposals.
- Section B includes a brief description of contract deliverables covered by contract line items or sub-line items.
- Section C provides the description and specifications needed to permit competition. It includes the Statement of Work (SOW) or Statement of Objectives (SOO).
- Section D describes requirements for packaging, preservation, and marking of deliverables.
- Section E details the government’s inspection, acceptance, quality assurance, and reliability requirements.
- Section F specifies the requirements for the time, place, and method of delivery or performance for the goods and services.
- Section G provides the contract’s administrative data such as accounting and appropriation data, or additional instructions.
- Section H includes any special contract requirements that are not included elsewhere.
Part II contains the contract clauses. Part II only incorporates Section I, which includes all contract clauses required by the FAR or legal authority.
Part III contains all relevant attachments for the procurement process. It only incorporates Section J, which lists all documents, exhibits, and other attachments including Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) exhibits, contract security specification, data definitions, etc. It also provides templates and example formats for contractors to format proposals.
Part IV contains contractor information and instructions for the offerors. Many in the GovCon industry believe this is the most important part because it contains instructions and information on how proposals will be evaluated.
- Section K should be included for all contracts that require representations, certifications, or the submission of other similar information by offerors.
- Section L tells the offerors what is to be provided in their proposal and how it should be formatted. It guides offerors in preparing their proposals, outlines what the government plans to buy, and emphasizes any government special interest items or constraints.
- Section M forms the basis for evaluating each offeror’s proposal. It informs offerors of the relative importance of assigned criteria so that an integrated assessment can be made of each offeror’s proposal.