GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION ACQUISITION MANUAL (GSAM)

Subpart 528.1—Bonds and Other Financial Protections

528.101  Bid guarantees.

528.101-1  Policy on use.

(a) Construction contracts. Do not require bid guarantees for contracts awarded under Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act, as amended (15 U.S.C. 637(a)).

(b) Building service contracts. Require bid guarantees for building service contracts over $100,000 if you determine under 528.103-2 that a performance bond is essential to protect the Government’s interest.

(c) All other contracts. Refer to FAR 28.101 for guidance on the use of bid guarantees.

528.102  Performance and payment bonds and alternative payment protections for construction contracts.

528.102-1  General.

The performance and payment bond requirements in FAR 28.102-1 apply to contracts awarded under Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act unless the requirement has been waived by SBA under Section 8(a)(2) of the Small Business Act, as amended.

528.103  Performance and payment bonds for other than construction contracts.

528.103-2  Performance bonds.

(a) Do not require performance bonds for building service contracts unless you make a written determination explaining why the bond is essential to protect the Government’s interest and justifying the additional cost of the bonding requirement.

(b) Do not require a performance bond for building service contracts awarded under Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act as amended (15 U.S.C. 637(a)), or contracts awarded to workshops for the blind or other severely handicapped under the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act, as amended (41 U.S.C. 46-48c).

(c) Consider the circumstances and determine the penal amount of the performance bond on a case-by-case basis.

528.103-3  Payment bonds.

(a) You may require payment bonds for other than construction contracts if the contracting director determines, under FAR 28.103-3, that such a requirement is in the Government’s interest.

(b) Consider the circumstances and determine the penal amount of the payment bond on a case-by-case basis.

528.106  Administration.

528.106-6  Furnishing information.

The HCA or designee performs the functions outlined in FAR 28.106-6(c).

528.202-70  Acceptability of bonds and sureties.

Verify the acceptability of the surety on a bond by placing the words “Acceptability of Bond Verified,” and sign immediately thereunder, on the bond or on a properly identified attachment. Retain the bond with the original of the contract. You may use the Notice to Proceed to notify the contractor that the bond(s) has been accepted.

528.203  Acceptability of individual sureties.

Refer evidence of possible criminal or fraudulent activities by an individual surety first to the Assistant Inspector General for Investigations or to the appropriate Regional Inspector General for Investigations. The Office of Inspector General may conduct an investigation and, when appropriate, refer the matter to the Senior Procurement Executive. Include in referrals the information required by 528.203-7.

528.203-7  Exclusion of individual sureties.

(a) The Senior Procurement Executive or designee excludes individuals from acting as a surety on bonds under FAR 28.203-7.

(b) Include the following, as a minimum, in referrals for consideration of exclusion:

(1) The basis for exclusion (see FAR 28.203-7(b)).

(2) A statement of facts.

(3) Copies of supporting documentary evidence.

(4) The individuals’ names and current or last known home and or business addresses, including zip codes.

(5) A statement of GSA’s history with such individuals, if any.

(6) A statement concerning any known active or potential criminal investigations or court proceedings.

528.204  Alternatives in lieu of corporate or individual sureties.

Security deposited instead of corporate or individual sureties on bonds must be safeguarded immediately after they are received, as provided in procedures issued by the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (see GSA Order, Accounting Operations—Accounts Receivable and Credit and Finance Operations, and Related Activities (PFM P 4253.1)). United States bonds or notes received in the District of Columbia must be deposited with the Treasurer of the United States, as provided in FAR 28.204-1.

528.301  Policy.

Insurance requirements must be adequate, just, and reasonable. They should be predicated on potential loss or damage, not necessarily on the value of the contract.