Low RiskFARtransportation

52.247-64Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels.

Researched by the BidStride Research Team

What This Clause Requires

FAR 52.247-64 — Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels.. 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

52.247-64 Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels. As prescribed in 47.507(a), insert the following clause: Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (NOV 2021) (a) Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this clause, the Cargo Preference Act of 1954 (46 U.S.C. Appx. 1241(b)) requires that Federal departments and agencies shall transport in privately owned U.S.-flag commercial vessels at least 50 percent of the gross tonnage of equipment, materials, or commodities that may be transported in ocean vessels (computed separately for dry bulk carriers, dry cargo liners, and tankers). Such transportation shall be accomplished when any equipment, materials, or commodities, located within or outside the United States, that may be transported by ocean vessel are— (1) Acquired for a U.S. Government agency account; (2) Furnished to, or for the account of, any foreign nation without provision for reimbursement; (3) Furnished for the account of a foreign nation in connection with which the United States advances funds or credits, or guarantees the convertibility of foreign currencies; or (4) Acquired with advance of funds, loans, or guaranties made by or on behalf of the United States. (b) The Contractor shall use privately owned U.S.-flag commercial vessels to ship at least 50 percent of the gross tonnage involved under this contract (computed separately for dry bulk carriers, dry cargo liners, and tankers) whenever shipping any equipment, materials, or commodities under the conditions set forth in paragraph (a) above, to the extent that such vessels are available at rates that are fair and reasonable for privately owned U.S.-flag commercial vessels. (c)(1) The Contractor shall submit one legible copy of a rated on-board ocean bill of lading for each shipment to both (i) the Contracting Officer and (ii) the Office of Cargo Preference, Maritime Administration (MAR-590), 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590. Subcontractor bills of ladi

Source: eCFR, 48 CFR 52.247-64 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-48/section-52.247-64)

Compliance Checklist

  • 1241(b)) requires that Federal departments and agencies shall transport in privately owned U.S.-flag commercial vessels at least 50 percent of the gross tonnage of equipment, materials, or commodities that may be transported in ocean vessels (computed separately for dry bulk carriers, dry cargo liners, and tankers).
  • Such transportation shall be accomplished when any equipment, materials, or commodities, located within or outside the United States, that may be transported by ocean vessel are— (1) Acquired for a U.S.
  • (b) The Contractor shall use privately owned U.S.-flag commercial vessels to ship at least 50 percent of the gross tonnage involved under this contract (computed separately for dry bulk carriers, dry cargo liners, and tankers) whenever shipping any equipment, materials, or commodities under the conditions set forth in paragraph (a) above, to the extent that such vessels are available at rates that are fair and reasonable for privately owned U.S.-flag commercial vessels.
  • (c)(1) The Contractor shall submit one legible copy of a rated on-board ocean bill of lading for each shipment to both (i) the Contracting Officer and (ii) the Office of Cargo Preference, Maritime Administration (MAR-590), 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590.
  • Subcontractor bills of lading shall be submitted through the Prime Contractor.
  • (2) The Contractor shall furnish these bill of lading copies (i) within 20 working days of the date of loading for shipments originating in the United States, or (ii) within 30 working days for shipments originating outside the United States.
  • Each bill of lading copy shall contain the following information: (A) Sponsoring U.S.
  • (d) The Contractor shall insert the substance of this clause, including this paragraph (d), in all subcontracts or purchase orders under this contract, except those described in paragraph (e)(4).
  • (e) The requirement in paragraph (a) does not apply to— (1) Cargoes carried in vessels as required or authorized by law or treaty; (2) Ocean transportation between foreign countries of supplies purchased with foreign currencies made available, or derived from funds that are made available, under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C.
  • As prescribed in 47.507(a)(2), substitute the following paragraphs (a) and (b) for paragraphs (a) and (b) of the basic clause: (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (e) of this clause, the Contractor shall use privately owned U.S.-flag commercial vessels, and no others, in the ocean transportation of any supplies to be furnished under this contract.
  • (b) If such vessels are not available for timely shipment at rates that are fair and reasonable for privately owned U.S.-flag commercial vessels, the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer and request (1) authorization to ship in foreign-flag vessels or (2) designation of available U.S.-flag vessels.
  • If the Contractor is authorized in writing by the Contracting Officer to ship the supplies in foreign-flag vessels, the contract price shall be equitably adjusted to reflect the difference in costs of shipping the supplies in privately owned U.S.-flag commercial vessels and in foreign-flag vessels.
  • As prescribed in 47.507(a)(3), substitute the following paragraph (e) for paragraph (e) of the basic clause: (e) The requirement in paragraph (a) does not apply to— (1) Cargoes carried in vessels as required or authorized by law or treaty; (2) Ocean transportation between foreign countries of supplies purchased with foreign currencies made available, or derived from funds that are made available, under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C.
  • ( Note: This contract requires shipment of commercial products in direct support of U.S.

Flow-Down to Subcontractors

Flow-down required

This clause must be included in subcontracts with no subcontractors where the subcontractor will perform work covered by this clause. Typically appears in contract Section Section I.

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.