[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 48, Volume 1]

[Revised as of October 1, 2005]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 48CFR14.401]



[Page 238-239]

 

            TITLE 48--FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM

 

                CHAPTER 1--FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION

 

PART 14_SEALED BIDDING--Table of Contents

 

           Subpart 14.4_Opening of Bids and Award of Contract

 

Sec. 14.401  Receipt and safeguarding of bids.



    (a) All bids (including modifications) received before the time set 

for the opening of bids shall be kept secure. Except as provided in 

paragraph (b) of this section, the bids shall not be opened or viewed, 

and shall remain in a locked bid box, a safe, or in a secured, 

restricted-access electronic bid box. If an invitation for bids is 

cancelled, bids shall be returned to the bidders. Necessary precautions 

shall be taken to ensure the security of the bid box or safe. Before bid 

opening, information concerning the identity and number of bids received 

shall be made available only to Government employees. Such disclosure 

shall be only on a need to know basis. When bid samples are submitted, 

they shall be handled with sufficient care to prevent disclosure of 

characteristics before bid opening.

    (b) Envelopes marked as bids but not identifying the bidder or the 

solicitation may be opened solely for the purpose of identification, and 

then only by an official designated for this purpose.



[[Page 239]]



If a sealed bid is opened by mistake (e.g., because it is not marked as 

being a bid), the envelope shall be signed by the opener, whose position 

shall also be written thereon, and delivered to the designated official. 

This official shall immediately write on the envelope (1) an explanation 

of the opening, (2) the date and time opened, and (3) the invitation for 

bids number, and shall sign the envelope. The official shall then 

immediately reseal the envelope.



[48 FR 42171, Sept. 19, 1983, as amended at 60 FR 34738, July 3, 1995]