Low RiskFARGeneral

52.214-16Minimum Bid Acceptance Period.

Researched by the BidStride Research Team

What This Clause Requires

FAR 52.214-16 — Minimum Bid Acceptance Period.. This clause is part of the Federal Acquisition Regulation and may be included in government contracts as a solicitation provision or contract clause.

Official Regulation Text

52.214-16 Minimum Bid Acceptance Period. As prescribed in 14.201-6(j), insert the following provision in invitations for bids, except for construction, if the contracting officer determines that a minimum acceptance period must be specified: Minimum Bid Acceptance Period (APR 1984) (a) Acceptance period, as used in this provision, means the number of calendar days available to the Government for awarding a contract from the date specified in this solicitation for receipt of bids. (b) This provision supersedes any language pertaining to the acceptance period that may appear elsewhere in this solicitation. (c) The Government requires a minimum acceptance period of __ calendar days [ the Contracting Officer shall insert the number of days ]. (d) In the space provided immediately below, bidders may specify a longer acceptance period than the Government's minimum requirement. The bidder allows the following acceptance period: __ calendar days. (e) A bid allowing less than the Government's minimum acceptance period will be rejected. (f) The bidder agrees to execute all that it has undertaken to do, in compliance with its bid, if that bid is accepted in writing within (1) the acceptance period stated in paragraph (c) above or (2) any longer acceptance period stated in paragraph (d) above. (End of provision)

Source: eCFR, 48 CFR 52.214-16 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-48/section-52.214-16)

Compliance Checklist

  • As prescribed in 14.201-6(j), insert the following provision in invitations for bids, except for construction, if the contracting officer determines that a minimum acceptance period must be specified: Minimum Bid Acceptance Period (APR 1984) (a) Acceptance period, as used in this provision, means the number of calendar days available to the Government for awarding a contract from the date specified in this solicitation for receipt of bids.
  • (c) The Government requires a minimum acceptance period of __ calendar days [ the Contracting Officer shall insert the number of days ].

Flow-Down to Subcontractors

No flow-down required

This clause applies only to the prime contract and does not need to be flowed down to subcontractors.

Frequently Asked Questions

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This summary is for informational purposes only and reflects the BidStride Research Team's plain-English interpretation of the regulation. It is not legal advice and does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. Always consult the official Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) or Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) text and qualified legal counsel for compliance decisions.