SF1408

Pre-Award Survey of Prospective Contractor (Accounting System)

Agency
GSA
Revision
Rev. 1/2014
Fillable fields
60
Pages
2
Official source
GSA form page
Checked
October 20, 2026
Fill SF1408 online
Page 1 of form SF1408

Standard Form 1408 (SF 1408): Preaward Survey (Accounting System)

Standard Form 1408 (SF 1408), Preaward Survey of Prospective Contractor (Accounting System), is a two-page survey report. The footer says it is prescribed by GSA under FAR (48 CFR) 53.209-1(f), the authority GSA's page also lists, and GSA hosts it in its forms library. The edition printed on the form is STANDARD FORM 1408 (REV. 1/2014), with OMB Control Number 9000-0011 and an expiration date of 10/31/2026.

Section I records whether the prospective contractor's accounting system is acceptable for award of the prospective contract, with a narrative and signatures from the person who made the survey and a survey reviewing official. Section II is an evaluation checklist with Yes, No and Not Applicable columns covering cost segregation, timekeeping, labor distribution, unallowable costs and the financial information the system provides.

The form estimates 24 hours to read the instructions, gather the facts and answer the questions. You can fill it out free in your browser on this page and download the result without an account.

Top of page 1 of Standard Form 1408 (SF 1408): Preaward Survey (Accounting System), as printed by GSA

What's on SF 1408

Section I: recommendation

Whether the accounting system is acceptable for award: YES, NO, or YES with a recommendation that a follow on accounting system review be performed after contract award.

Section I: narrative and signatures

A narrative for clarification of deficiencies and other pertinent comments, a box to mark if continuation sheets are attached, and items 3 and 4 for the two signers.

Section II item 1: accounting principles

Except as stated in the narrative, whether the accounting system is in accord with generally accepted accounting principles applicable in the circumstances.

Section II item 2: what the system provides for

Ten lines, a to j: direct and indirect cost segregation, costs by contract, indirect cost allocation, general ledger control, timekeeping, labor distribution, interim (at least monthly) cost determination, excluding unallowable costs, costs by line item and preproduction costs.

Section II item 3: financial information

Information required by limitation of cost clauses (FAR 52.232-20 and 21) or limitation on payments (FAR 52.216-16), and information to support requests for progress payments.

Section II items 4 and 5: pricing data and status

Whether records give adequate, reliable data for pricing follow-on acquisitions, and whether the accounting system is currently in full operation.

How SF 1408 is completed

  1. 1

    Fill in the top block

    Name the prospective contractor. The serial number box is for surveying activity use.

  2. 2

    Mark the checklist

    The form says to mark X in the appropriate column, Yes, No or Not Applicable, and to explain any deficiencies in the Section I narrative.

  3. 3

    Describe a partly running system

    If the system is not in full operation, item 5 says to describe which portions are (1) in operation, (2) set up, but not yet in operation, (3) anticipated, or (4) nonexistent.

  4. 4

    Choose the recommendation

    Check YES, NO or YES with a follow on review. The form says to explain NO and the follow on choice in 2. NARRATIVE.

  5. 5

    Add space if needed

    The narrative says to continue on plain sheets of paper if additional space is required. Mark the box if continuation sheets are attached.

  6. 6

    Sign and review

    The person who made the survey signs item 3, and the survey reviewing official signs item 4 with the date reviewed.

Why fill Form SF1408 on indox

You get the real form, filled in a browser tab, with nothing standing between you and the finished PDF.

  • Fill the form right in your browser, no software to install
  • Free to fill and free to download, with no account
  • The official blank straight from the GSA, not a copy someone retyped
  • Works on a phone, tablet or computer

Routing, time and notices

Where it goes

The PDF gives no filing address or routing. It provides blocks for the person who made the survey and a survey reviewing official.

OMB number and time

OMB Control Number 9000-0011, Expiration Date 10/31/2026. The form estimates 24 hours to read the instructions, gather the facts and answer the questions.

Comments on the time estimate

The form says to send only comments relating to the time estimate to U.S. General Services Administration, Regulatory Secretariat Division (M1V1CB), 1800 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20405.

Edition and reproduction

The footer prints STANDARD FORM 1408 (REV. 1/2014), Authorized for local reproduction and Previous edition is NOT usable. GSA's page lists a current revision date of 01/2014.

Related forms

Who completes SF 1408?

  • The surveying activity

    The SERIAL NUMBER box at the top is marked For surveying activity use.

  • The person who made the survey

    Item 3, Survey Made By, takes a signature and office with a typed or printed name, a telephone number with area code and the date signed.

  • The survey reviewing official

    Item 4, Survey Reviewing Official, takes the same details, with the date reviewed.

  • The prospective contractor surveyed

    The contractor is named in the PROSPECTIVE CONTRACTOR box, and its accounting system is the subject of the Section II checklist.

The blocks printed on the form name these roles. The form has no signature block for the prospective contractor.

Official sources and the blank

Do it all with indox

View all 94 tools

Questions about Form SF1408

Who issues SF 1408?

The footer says the form is prescribed by GSA, and GSA's page lists the authority as FAR (48 CFR) 53.209-1(f). GSA hosts it in its forms library.

Who signs SF 1408?

Item 3 is signed by the person who made the survey and item 4 by a survey reviewing official. The serial number box is for surveying activity use.

What recommendations can SF 1408 record?

That the accounting system is acceptable for award (YES), not acceptable (NO), or acceptable with a recommendation that a follow on accounting system review be performed after contract award.

Which FAR parts does SF 1408 mention?

Item 2h refers to FAR 31, Contract Cost Principles and Procedures. Item 3a refers to limitation of cost clauses (FAR 52.232-20 and 21) and limitation on payments (FAR 52.216-16).

What if a checklist item does not apply?

The checklist has a Not Applicable column next to Yes and No. The form says to mark X in the appropriate column and explain any deficiencies in the Section I narrative.

What OMB number is on SF 1408?

OMB Control Number 9000-0011, with an expiration date of 10/31/2026. The form estimates 24 hours to read the instructions, gather the facts and answer the questions.