What happens if my bid arrives after the deadline?

It is late and will not be considered unless it is received before award, accepting it would not unduly delay the acquisition, and it meets one of the narrow exceptions, such as an authorized electronic bid that reached the government’s initial point of entry by 5:00 p.m. one working day before the due date.

Do I have to acknowledge every amendment?

Yes. Acknowledge each one by signing and returning it, listing its number and date on the bid form (Block 19 on SF 1442), or another method the provision allows, so the government receives it by the time and place set for receipt of bids.

How big is the bid guarantee on a federal construction job?

When required, it must be at least 20 percent of the bid price but not more than $3 million. A bid guarantee is required only when performance bonds or performance and payment bonds are also required, unless waived.

Do I have to go to the site visit?

The standard provision says offerors are urged and expected to inspect the site. Under the site investigation clause, not inspecting does not relieve you of responsibility for estimating properly the difficulty and cost of the work.

Guide

How do I read a federal construction solicitation (SF 1442) before my first bid?

Updated October 29, 2026

Standard Form 1442, Solicitation, Offer, and Award (Construction, Alteration, or Repair), is the form agencies use to solicit offers and award construction contracts expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, and they may use it for smaller ones too. [FAR 36.701, Standard and optional forms for construction] Its first page tells you whether the job is a sealed bid or a negotiated buy, when work must start and finish, whether bonds and a bid guarantee are required, and exactly when and where offers are due. [GSA Forms Library, SF 1442 Solicitation, Offer, and Award (Construction, Alteration, or Repair)] Read those blocks first, then every amendment, the wage determination, and the clauses, because a late bid or a missing bid guarantee can keep a sealed bid from being considered at all. [FAR 14.304, Submission, modification, and withdrawal of bids] [FAR 28.101-4, Noncompliance with bid guarantee requirements]

What the SF 1442 is and when it is used

The FAR says SF 1442 shall be used to solicit and submit offers, and award construction or dismantling, demolition, or removal of improvements contracts expected to exceed the simplified acquisition thresholds, and may be used for contracts at or below that threshold. [FAR 36.701, Standard and optional forms for construction] Smaller jobs may instead come on Optional Form 347, Order for Supplies or Services, if the contracting officer includes the required construction clauses. [FAR 36.701, Standard and optional forms for construction] FAR 53.236-1 prescribes the current SF 1442 (Rev. 12/2022) for construction, alteration, or repair. [FAR 53.236-1, Construction forms] The GSA Forms Library lists the same form with a current revision date of 12/2022 and links the blank PDF, so you can study the layout before a real solicitation lands. [GSA Forms Library, SF 1442 Solicitation, Offer, and Award (Construction, Alteration, or Repair)]

One note on wording: the form says that in sealed bid solicitations, “offer” and “offeror” mean bid and bidder. [GSA Forms Library, SF 1442 Solicitation, Offer, and Award (Construction, Alteration, or Repair)]

The blocks to read first

On the solicitation side of the form, these blocks shape your whole bid. [GSA Forms Library, SF 1442 Solicitation, Offer, and Award (Construction, Alteration, or Repair)]

Block 2, type of solicitation: sealed bid (invitation for bids) or negotiated (request for proposals).
Block 10: the work the government requires, with title, identifying number, and date.
Block 11: how many calendar days you have to begin and to complete the work after award or notice to proceed, and whether that performance period is mandatory or negotiable.
Block 12: whether you must furnish performance and payment bonds, and within how many calendar days after award.
Block 13a: where offers are due (the place in Block 8), by what hour local time and date. In a sealed bid solicitation, offers are publicly opened at that time.
Block 13b: whether an offer guarantee is required.
Block 13d: the minimum number of calendar days your offer must stay open for government acceptance. Offers giving less will not be considered and will be rejected.

On the offer side, Block 17 is where you state how long your offer stays open (failure to insert a number means you accept the minimum in Block 13d), Block 18 is your agreement to furnish any required bonds, Block 19 is the acknowledgment of amendments, and Block 20 is the name, title, and signature of the person authorized to sign the offer. [GSA Forms Library, SF 1442 Solicitation, Offer, and Award (Construction, Alteration, or Repair)] In all sealed bid solicitations, the contracting officer fills in the acceptance period in Block 13D. [FAR 36.701, Standard and optional forms for construction]

How the rest of the solicitation is organized

Sealed bidding uses competitive bids, public opening of bids, and award. Bids are evaluated without discussions, and award goes to the responsible bidder whose bid, conforming to the invitation, is most advantageous to the government considering only price and the price-related factors in the invitation. [FAR 14.101, Elements of sealed bidding] For supplies and services, the FAR organizes solicitations in a uniform contract format with sections A through M, where Section K holds representations and certifications, Section L instructions, and Section M evaluation factors for award. [FAR 14.201-1, Uniform contract format (sealed bidding)] [FAR 15.204-1, Uniform contract format (negotiation)] That format need not be used for construction in either sealed bidding or negotiation, so the order of a construction solicitation can vary by agency. [FAR 14.201-1, Uniform contract format (sealed bidding)] [FAR 15.204, Contract format] Information that would go in the uniform format still belongs in the invitation if applicable. [FAR 14.201-1, Uniform contract format (sealed bidding)]

For construction invitations for bids, the FAR lists what contracting officers should include when applicable: the wage determination, the Performance of Work by the Contractor clause, the magnitude of the project, the period of performance, arrangements to inspect the site and examine data, facilities such as utilities furnished during construction, the prebid conference, any special qualifications or experience requirements used to determine responsibility, special instructions on bids, alternate bids, and award, and reporting requirements. [FAR 36.213-3, Invitations for bids (construction)] Use that list as a checklist while you read. The magnitude is stated as a price range, such as between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000, and never discloses the government estimate. [FAR 36.204, Disclosure of the magnitude of construction projects] For turning what you read into a number, see our guide to pricing your first federal bid.

Due date, time, and late bids

You are responsible for getting your bid, and any modification or withdrawal, to the government office designated in the invitation by the time it specifies. If no time is specified, the time for receipt is 4:30 p.m., local time, for that office on the date bids are due. [FAR 14.304, Submission, modification, and withdrawal of bids] A bid received after the exact time is late and will not be considered unless it is received before award, accepting it would not unduly delay the acquisition, and either it was sent by an electronic method the invitation authorized and reached the government’s initial point of entry by 5:00 p.m. one working day before the due date, or there is acceptable evidence it was received at the designated government installation and under the government’s control before the deadline. [FAR 52.214-7, Late Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals of Bids] A late modification of an otherwise successful bid that makes its terms more favorable to the government will be considered at any time. [FAR 14.304, Submission, modification, and withdrawal of bids] Bids may be withdrawn by written notice received any time before the exact time set for receipt of bids. [FAR 52.214-7, Late Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals of Bids]

Negotiated construction solicitations follow nearly the same rule for proposals, with one more exception: a late proposal can be considered if it was the only proposal received. [FAR 15.208, Submission, modification, revision, and withdrawal of proposals] Proposals may be withdrawn by written notice at any time before award. [FAR 15.208, Submission, modification, revision, and withdrawal of proposals] When synopsis is required, sealed bids get a bidding time of at least 30 calendar days, and construction invitations should allow time to inspect the site, obtain subcontract bids, examine data, and prepare estimates. [FAR 14.202-1, Bidding time] [FAR 36.213-3, Invitations for bids (construction)] Start early and plan to submit well before the clock runs out.

Amendments and how to acknowledge them

Changes to quantity, specifications, delivery schedules, opening dates, or a defective or ambiguous invitation are made by amendment on Standard Form 30. Something mentioned at a prebid conference still needs an amendment. [FAR 14.208, Amendment of invitation for bids] Information given to one prospective bidder must be furnished promptly to all others as an amendment if it is necessary to bid or if lacking it would be prejudicial to uninformed bidders. [FAR 14.208, Amendment of invitation for bids] If an invitation is issued before the wage determination arrives, it should say the minimum wage rates will be issued as an amendment before bid opening. [FAR 36.213-3, Invitations for bids (construction)]

On a sealed bid you acknowledge each amendment by signing and returning it, by identifying the amendment number and date in the space on the bid form, by letter, or by facsimile or email if the solicitation authorizes those bids. The government must receive the acknowledgment by the time and at the place set for receipt of bids. [FAR 52.214-3, Amendments to Invitations for Bids] On SF 1442 that space is Block 19. [GSA Forms Library, SF 1442 Solicitation, Offer, and Award (Construction, Alteration, or Repair)] Failing to acknowledge is treated as a minor informality only if the bid clearly shows you received the amendment, or the amendment is only a matter of form or has no more than a negligible effect on price, quantity, quality, or delivery. [FAR 14.405, Minor informalities or irregularities in bids] Do not count on that. On a negotiated solicitation, offerors acknowledge receipt of any amendment by the date and time specified in the amendment. [FAR 52.215-1, Instructions to Offerors, Competitive Acquisition]

Bid guarantee and bonds

A contracting officer may not require a bid guarantee unless a performance bond or a performance and payment bond is also required, and bid guarantees are required whenever those bonds are, unless the requirement is waived. Only separate bid guarantees are acceptable on construction contracts. [FAR 28.101-1, Bid guarantees: policy on use] The bid guarantee must be at least 20 percent of the bid price but not more than $3 million. [FAR 28.101-2, Bid guarantee amount] The Bid Guarantee provision lists acceptable firm commitments such as a bid bond backed by an acceptable surety, a postal money order, a certified check, a cashier’s check, or an irrevocable letter of credit. If you receive the award and fail to execute the contract documents or furnish executed bonds within 10 days after receiving the forms, the contracting officer may terminate the contract for default. [FAR 52.228-1, Bid Guarantee]

In sealed bidding, noncompliance with a bid guarantee requirement requires rejection of the bid, except in listed situations where it is waived, such as when only one offer is received or a bid bond is erroneously dated. [FAR 28.101-4, Noncompliance with bid guarantee requirements] After award, the bonds statute formerly known as the Miller Act requires performance and payment bonds for any construction contract exceeding $150,000, and for contracts greater than $35,000 but not greater than $150,000 the contracting officer selects two or more payment protections. You furnish bonds before receiving a notice to proceed. [FAR 28.102-1, Bonds (Miller Act)] Above $150,000, performance and payment bonds generally equal 100 percent of the original contract price. [FAR 28.102-2, Bond amounts required] For how to line up a surety, see our guide to bonding for your first federal construction job.

Site visits

Solicitations that include the Differing Site Conditions and Site Investigations and Conditions Affecting the Work clauses carry the Site Visit (Construction) provision. [FAR 36.523, Site visit] It says offerors are urged and expected to inspect the site where the work will be performed, and either names a contact for arranging a visit during normal duty hours or, under Alternate I, gives the date, time, and meeting place of an organized site visit. [FAR 52.236-27, Site Visit (Construction)] The contracting officer should also arrange for offerors to examine data such as boring samples, original boring logs, and records and plans of previous construction. [FAR 36.210, Inspection of site and examination of data]

Take the visit seriously. Under the site investigation clause, you acknowledge that you have investigated the conditions that can affect the work or its cost, and failing to do so does not relieve you of responsibility for estimating properly the difficulty and cost of the work. The government also assumes no responsibility for understandings or representations made by its officers before the contract is signed unless they are expressly stated in the contract. [FAR 52.236-3, Site Investigation and Conditions Affecting the Work] If a question at the site visit gets an answer you need, look for it in an amendment.

Wage determination

A construction invitation for bids should include the appropriate Department of Labor wage determination, or a notice that it will come as an amendment before bid opening. [FAR 36.213-3, Invitations for bids (construction)] It sets the minimum wages and fringe benefits for the labor in your bid, so find it before you price a single hour. Our guide to Davis-Bacon wage determinations covers how to read one, certified payroll, posting, apprentices, and subcontracts.

The set-aside clause to check

Look for the notice of set-aside clause to see who may bid. On a service-disabled veteran-owned set-aside, the clause is FAR 52.219-27. Under it, offers are solicited only from, and awards will be made only to, concerns designated in SAM as an SDVOSB certified by SBA, or concerns that represented SDVOSB status in SAM and submitted a complete certification application to SBA on or before December 31, 2023. Offers from other concerns shall not be considered. [FAR 52.219-27, Notice of Set-Aside for SDVOSB Concerns] In a qualifying joint venture, the SDVOSB party or parties must perform at least 40 percent of the work performed by the joint venture. [FAR 52.219-27, Notice of Set-Aside for SDVOSB Concerns] Check your SAM status against the clause before you spend money on an estimate. For which set-asides you can bid on, see SDVOSB vs VOSB set-asides.

Period of performance and liquidated damages

For a fixed-price construction contract, the contracting officer inserts the Commencement, Prosecution, and Completion of Work clause. [FAR 11.404, Contract clauses (time of delivery or performance)] It requires you to start work within a set number of calendar days after you receive the notice to proceed, prosecute the work diligently, and complete the entire work ready for use by a stated date or number of days. The time for completion includes final cleanup of the premises. [FAR 52.211-10, Commencement, Prosecution, and Completion of Work] Compare that clause with Block 11 on the form and build the schedule into your price. [GSA Forms Library, SF 1442 Solicitation, Offer, and Award (Construction, Alteration, or Repair)]

The contracting officer must evaluate the need for liquidated damages in a construction contract. [FAR 36.206, Liquidated damages (construction)] When used, the solicitation must include the clause and rates, construction contracts must describe the rate assessed per day of delay, and the rate should include the estimated daily cost of government inspection and superintendence. [FAR 11.502, Liquidated damages procedures] Under the Liquidated Damages, Construction clause, if you fail to complete the work within the contract time, you pay the stated amount for each calendar day of delay until the work is completed or accepted, and if the government terminates your right to proceed, liquidated damages keep accruing until the work is completed. [FAR 52.211-12, Liquidated Damages, Construction] Multiply the daily rate by a realistic slip before you commit to the schedule.

Common questions

What is an SF 1442?: Standard Form 1442, Solicitation, Offer, and Award (Construction, Alteration, or Repair), is the form used to solicit offers and award construction contracts expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold, and it may be used for smaller ones. The current revision is dated 12/2022. [FAR 36.701, Standard and optional forms for construction] [GSA Forms Library, SF 1442 Solicitation, Offer, and Award (Construction, Alteration, or Repair)]
What happens if my bid arrives after the deadline?: It is late and will not be considered unless it is received before award, accepting it would not unduly delay the acquisition, and it meets one of the narrow exceptions, such as an authorized electronic bid that reached the government’s initial point of entry by 5:00 p.m. one working day before the due date. [FAR 14.304, Submission, modification, and withdrawal of bids] [FAR 52.214-7, Late Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawals of Bids]
Do I have to acknowledge every amendment?: Yes. Acknowledge each one by signing and returning it, listing its number and date on the bid form (Block 19 on SF 1442), or another method the provision allows, so the government receives it by the time and place set for receipt of bids. [FAR 52.214-3, Amendments to Invitations for Bids] [GSA Forms Library, SF 1442 Solicitation, Offer, and Award (Construction, Alteration, or Repair)]
How big is the bid guarantee on a federal construction job?: When required, it must be at least 20 percent of the bid price but not more than $3 million. A bid guarantee is required only when performance bonds or performance and payment bonds are also required, unless waived. [FAR 28.101-2, Bid guarantee amount] [FAR 28.101-1, Bid guarantees: policy on use]
Do I have to go to the site visit?: The standard provision says offerors are urged and expected to inspect the site. Under the site investigation clause, not inspecting does not relieve you of responsibility for estimating properly the difficulty and cost of the work. [FAR 52.236-27, Site Visit (Construction)] [FAR 52.236-3, Site Investigation and Conditions Affecting the Work]

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Sources

Checked against these sources on October 29, 2026. Rules change, so always read the current solicitation and regulation. This guide is general information, not legal advice.