[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 48, Volume 3]
[Revised as of October 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 48CFR253.209-1]

[Page 562-563]
 
            TITLE 48--FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM
 
                    CHAPTER 2--DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
 
PART 253--FORMS--Table of Contents
 
                  Subpart 253.2--Prescription of Forms
 
Sec. 253.209-1  Responsible prospective contractors.

    (a) SF 1403, Preaward Survey of Prospective Contractor (General). 
(i) The factors in Section III, Block 19, generally mean--
    (A) Technical capability. An assessment of the prospective 
contractor's key management personnel to determine if they have the 
basic technical knowledge, experience, and understanding of the 
requirements necessary to produce the required product or provide the 
required service.
    (B) Production capability. An evaluation of the prospective 
contractor's ability to plan, control, and integrate manpower, 
facilities, and other resources necessary for successful contract 
completion. This includes--
    (1) An assessment of the prospective contractor's possession of, or 
the ability to acquire, the necessary facilities, material, equipment, 
and labor; and
    (2) A determination that the prospective contractor's system 
provides for timely placement of orders and for vendor follow-up and 
control.
    (C) Quality assurance capability. An assessment of the prospective 
contractor's capability to meet the quality assurance requirements of 
the proposed contract. It may involve an evaluation of the prospective 
contractor's quality assurance system, personnel, facilities, and 
equipment.
    (D) Financial capability. A determination that the prospective 
contractor has or can get adequate financial resources to obtain needed 
facilities, equipment, materials, etc.
    (E) Accounting system and related internal controls. An assessment 
by the auditor of the adequacy of the prospective contractor's 
accounting system and related internal controls as defined in 242.7501, 
Definition. Normally, a contracting officer will request an accounting 
system review when soliciting and awarding cost-reimbursement or 
incentive type contracts, or contracts which provide for progress 
payments based on costs or on a percentage or stage of completion.
    (ii) The factors in section III, Block 20, generally mean--
    (A) Government property control. An assessment of the prospective 
contractor's capability to manage and control Government property.
    (B) Transportation. An assessment of the prospective contractor's 
capability to follow the laws and regulations applicable to the movement 
of Government material, or overweight, oversized, hazardous cargo, etc.
    (C) Packaging. An assessment of the prospective contractor's ability 
to meet all contractual packaging requirements including preservation, 
unit pack, packing, marking, and unitizing for shipment.
    (D) Security clearance. A determination that the prospective 
contractor's facility security clearance is adequate and current. (When 
checked, the surveying activity will refer this factor to the Defense 
Security Service (DSS)).
    (E) Plant safety. An assessment of the prospective contractor's 
ability to meet the safety requirements in the solicitation.
    (F) Environmental/energy consideration. An evaluation of the 
prospective contractor's ability to meet specific environmental and 
energy requirements in the solicitation.
    (G) Flight operations and flight safety. An evaluation of the 
prospective contractor's ability to meet flight operation and flight 
safety requirements on solicitations involving the overhaul and repair 
of aircraft.
    (H) Other. If the contracting officer wants an assessment of other 
than

[[Page 563]]

major factors A-E and other factors A-G, check this factor. Explain the 
desired information in the Remarks sections.

[56 FR 36554, July 31, 1991, as amended at 60 FR 29504, June 5, 1995; 64 
FR 51077, Sept. 21, 1999]