Uniform contract format (UCF)

Part I, the Schedule, holds Sections A to H: A solicitation form, B supplies or services and prices, C description or statement of work, D packaging and marking, E inspection and acceptance, F deliveries or performance, G contract administration data, and H special contract requirements. Part II is Section I, the contract clauses. Part III is Section J, the list of attachments. Part IV holds Sections K representations and certifications, L instructions to offerors and M evaluation factors.

The format is set out in FAR 15.204-1. The FAR overhaul text keeps the same sections but moves them to 15.109, with Sections K, L and M under 15.109-4. Agencies adopt the overhaul through class deviations, so a solicitation may cite either number for a while.

FAR 15.204 lists exceptions, including construction and architect-engineer contracts and commercial acquisitions, which use the SF 1449 and an addendum for instructions and evaluation. Task order requests and state or local RFPs use their own layouts, but the same three questions remain: what is the work, how do we write, and how will we be scored.

Knowing the format tells you where to look. The proposal structure comes from Section L, the scoring from Section M, the work from Section C and its attachments, and many hidden requirements live in Sections F, G, H and J. A good RFP shred reads all of them, not only L and M.