Block-by-Block Definitions & Tips for Standard Form 33 (SF33)
Following is a block-by-block description of the SF33 plus tips for analysis (source: Doing Business with DLA, January 2010). The SF33 is used for contracts greater than $25,000.
BLOCK | DEFINITION | TIP |
---|---|---|
1-DPAS Rating | A rated contract, i.e., order, is one that has a specific classification for how “hot” the item on contract is. Typically used during a time of national emergency or war. (See Defense Priorities and Allocations System.) | Tip: Page 1 of ##: Check page numbers to see if there are any missing. If Yes, call immediately since you cannot submit a good bid/offer if there is a page or section missing. These types of errors may occur and it is up to you to catch them. |
2-Contract Number | This is the block that will contain the number assigned by the buying activity at the time of contract award. The number looks the same as the one in Block 3, the Solicitation Number, but it will have a “C” instead of an “R” or “Q” in the number. | |
3-Solicitation Number | This is the number that is used to identify the solicitation throughout the life of the buying activity including all amendments. It is assigned by the buying activity before issuing. | |
4-Type of Solicitation | This block will identify if this is a Sealed Bid/Invitation for Bid (IFB) or a Request for Proposal (RFP). | |
5-Date Issued | This is the date that this solicitation “hit the street” and became a live requirement. | |
6-Requisition/ Purchase Number | This is an internal document number used to track the item or service to be purchased. This is the original number for that “need.” There might be multiple requisition numbers included in a solicitation. Look at it as a document control number, generated by the people that need the item(s) being bought. | |
7-lssued by | This block identifies the buying office that is issuing the solicitation and awarding the contract. Note: You might be dealing with a buying office that is located very far from the actual end user. | |
8-Address offer to | This block will give you the address of where to send the offer. It is usually the same as the issuing office in Block 7. | |
9-Additional info | This block will tell if the buying office requires additional copies of your offer. It provides the time and date deadline for submitting your offer. It may also provide a physical address if you choose to hand deliver your proposal. offer needed. | If the solicitation requires that a bid be there at 10:00 p.m. on Thursday the 25th day of July, and it shows up at 10:01 p.m., it can be considered nonresponsive and not be considered! It is your responsibility to have your bid there on time and on the right date ... the bidder has the responsibility to communicate the bid to the correct person, at the correct address, at the proper time, which is no later than the end of the minute specified for bid opening. |
10-For information call | (a) of this block identifies the person that you will contact for information on this specific bid/proposal. Section (b) the person’s phone number, and (c) their e-mail address, if given. | |
11-Table of Contents | This area will tell you what Sections apply to this solicitation and on what page the section begins. The sections that apply will have an “x” in the first column. Verify that the pagination matches the actual RFP sections. The contents listed in the block make up the contract. If there are discrepancies, bring it to the attention of the contracting officer. | Check out Section M: “Evaluation Factors for Award.” It will tell you what and how they will evaluate/weight factors for award. If you are deficient in a certain area, fix or correct it before you send in the solicitation. |
12-Acceptance Period | This block will give you the opportunity to mark how long this bid is good for. If you don’t put in a specific number, it will default to 60 days. | If you put in too long an acceptance period, be sure to protect yourself from price increases from your subcontractors and suppliers. Be competitive but protect your profit margin. |
13-Discounts for Prompt Payment | This block is where you will put the size of the discount, if any, that you will give the Government if they pay PROMPTLY. Don’t feel obligated to offer one just because you are dealing with the Government. It is not used in evaluating the offers. | The Government passed the Prompt Payment Act in the mid 1980s. The Act states that if you are a small business and have completed your invoice correctly, the Government MUST pay you within 30 days. |
14-Acknowledgements of Amendments | In this block you will let the buyer know that you have received all the amendments that they sent out. If they mailed out four and you only list three, the buyer can throw out your bid as non-responsive, especially if the omitted amendment has an impact on the material aspects of the solicitation. | |
15a-Name and Address of Offeror | This is where you enter your company name, address and in the little box marked “code” your Cage Code, and if you have one, a “facility code.” The facility code may be different from your Cage Code depending on where the services will be performed or the products will be produced. | |
15b-Telephone number | Your telephone number. | |
Block 15c-Remittance Address | If there is a different address for the Government to send the check for payment, mark this box and on the schedule list the address. (This field may be obsolete because the Government now pays only by electronic fund transfer EFT). | |
16-Name and Title of Person Authorized to Sign Offer | Enter the name and title of the person that is “authorized” to sign offers for your company. Be sure that your authorized signer is listed in your SAM.gov record. | |
17-Signature | This is where the authorized person signs the offer. | More offers have been rejected for no signature than you can believe. Don’t forget to “sign the offer”! |
18-Offer Date | This is the date you signed the offer. Award (to be completed by the Government) |
If the SF33 comes back in the mail and the following information is filled out, you won the contract! Don’t put it in your briefcase and forget about it. Start working on it. .. you are now a Prime Contractor! |
19-Accepted as to Items Numbered | This is the list of specific contract line item numbers (CLINs) that are awarded to your company. | |
20-Amount | This is the dollar amount of the contract. | |
21-Accounting and Appropriation | This is Government agency information that describes what accounts and appropriations cover this procurement. | |
22-Authority for Using Other Then Full and Open Competition | This block provides the circumstances and justification for permitting a solicitation based on other than full and open competition (a set-aside for a particularly socio-economic category). | |
23-Submit invoice to address shown in | The Government will identify the location in the contract that specifies the appropriate address to submit invoices. Submit 4 copies of the invoice unless otherwise specified. | |
24-Administered by | This is the office that will administer the contract (ACO), which might be different from the buying office (PCO). | |
25-Payment will be Made By | This is the paying office -- where your money is coming from. | |
26-Name of the Contracting Officer | This is the typed name of the Procurement Contracting Officer (PCO). You will see this person’s name only if you win the contract. | |
27-United States of America | This is the block where the PCO will sign their name. Congratulations! You are a prime contractor who now has an active Government Contract. | |
28-Award Date | The actual date of the award. The date the PCO signed the contract. | The award can be made on the SF 33; on another form, such as the SF 26; or by any other authorized official written notice. |
Solicitation Terminology
- FOB Destination: Shipping costs to cover freight to destination in unit price.
- FOB Origin: Shipping costs prepaid and added to bill later - not in unit price.
- Fast Pay: Payment made based on receipt of invoice (see Contract Administration).
- Non-Fast Pay: Payment made based on receipt of a signed DD Form 250, Material Inspection and Receiving Report, after Government acceptance. Payment will not be made until a completed DD Form 250 is received by the Government. The form shall reflect that a duly authorized Government representative has inspected and accepted the supplies or has otherwise authorized acceptance.
- Inspection and Acceptance: When Origin Inspection and Acceptance is specified, inspection will be made at the point of shipment. The DD Form 250 shall reflect the signature of a Government Quality Assurance Representative (QAR).
- When Destination Inspection and Acceptance is specified, inspection will be made at point of receipt. The DD Form 250 shall reflect the signature of the Government consignee’s representative.
- When Origin Inspection and Destination Acceptance are specified in the award, the DD Form 250 shall reflect the signatures of both the Government QAR and the Government consignee’s representative.
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