FAR Bond Forms and Additional Security Checklist (28.106)

By QuickBidSetup Editorial Team · Published October 30, 2026 · Sources linked below

On federal construction projects, government contracting officers rely on standardized forms to verify financial guarantees, ensure performance, and protect suppliers and trade subcontractors. When contract modifications increase the scope of work or project value, federal agencies possess clear regulatory mechanisms to request additional bond security. Estimators and project managers can track these requirements using this checklist-driven guide based on Federal Acquisition Regulation guidance.

Checklist Step 1: Verify the Standard Construction Bond Forms

Under FAR 28.106-1, federal agencies mandate the use of Standard Forms (SF) and Optional Forms (OF) whenever a bid bond, performance bond, payment bond, or individual surety is required. These forms are required for domestic work (except in foreign countries) and must be completed following the specific instructions printed on each document. When reviewing federal solicitations, estimators should reference our guide to bid bonds, performance bonds, and payment bonds and confirm the prime contractor has submitted the correct standard paperwork:

Standard Form 24 (SF 24): Bid Bond (see 28.101).
Standard Form 25 (SF 25): Performance Bond (see 28.102-1 and 28.106-3(b)).
Standard Form 25A (SF 25A): Payment Bond (see 28.102-1 and 28.106-3(b)).
Standard Form 25B (SF 25B): Continuation Sheet, used to provide extra space for details supporting SF 24, SF 25, and SF 25A.
Standard Form 28 (SF 28): Affidavit of Individual Surety (see 28.203).

Checklist Step 2: Identify Annual, Reinsurance, and Non-Construction Forms

Beyond the baseline forms for single construction awards, Acquisition.GOV FAR 28.106-1 outlines authorized forms for annual bonding programs, reinsurance arrangements, and collateral handling. Estimators assembling comprehensive bid files or navigating corporate-level surety relationships should verify the following designations:

SF 34: Annual Bid Bond (see 28.001).
SF 35: Annual Performance Bond (see 28.104).
SF 273: Reinsurance Agreement for a Bonds Statute Performance Bond (see 28.202(a)(4)).
SF 274: Reinsurance Agreement for a Bonds Statute Payment Bond (see 28.202(a)(4)).
SF 275: Reinsurance Agreement in Favor of the United States (see 28.202(a)(4)).
SF 1414: Consent of Surety (see 28.106-5).
SF 1416: Payment Bond for Other Than Construction Contracts (see 28.103-3 and 28.106-3(b)).
SF 1418: Performance Bond for Other Than Construction Contracts (see 28.103-2 and 28.106-3(b)).
Optional Form 91 (OF 91): Release of Personal Property from Escrow (see 28.203-3).

Checklist Step 3: Handle Additional Bond Coverage with the Original Surety

When changes to a project require the government to demand additional bond security, the required documentation depends directly on who provides the increased backing. As detailed in FAR 28.106-3, specific procedures govern this process.

If the additional bond coverage is secured in whole or in part by the original surety or sureties, agencies must use Standard Form 1415 (SF 1415), titled Consent of Surety and Increase of Penalty. A distinct operational advantage for contractors and procurement officers is that Standard Form 1415 is formally authorized for local reproduction. This allows project teams to generate the needed consent document immediately on site or at the home office when change orders expand penal sums.

Checklist Step 4: Submit Additional Security from New Sureties or Alternatives

Circumstances may arise where the original corporate surety cannot take on extra penal exposure, or where the contractor provides alternative security options described in FAR 28.204 instead of a corporate or individual surety. In these situations, Acquisition.GOV FAR 28.106-3 mandates that contracting agencies use brand-new core bond forms rather than a consent modifier:

Standard Form 25: Performance Bond, executed when additional performance protection is provided by a new surety or through 28.204 alternatives on construction work.
Standard Form 25A: Payment Bond, executed when additional payment coverage is backed by a new surety or 28.204 alternatives on construction projects.
Standard Form 1418: Performance Bond for Other Than Construction Contracts, if non-construction contracts require additional performance guarantees.
Standard Form 1416: Payment Bond for Other Than Construction Contracts, if non-construction awards require supplemental payment security.

For trade contractors evaluating their upstream security, reviewing the Miller Act FAR 28.102-1 checklist can help confirm whether these underlying payment bonds meet statutory criteria.

Checklist Step 5: Document Changes and Coordinate with Your Surety Broker

Subcontractors and general contractors must track every contract modification that elevates contract price. Whenever scope increases occur, the prime contractor must determine whether the existing surety will execute SF 1415 or whether supplemental SF 25 and SF 25A filings with secondary sureties are needed. Keeping clean files of SF 25B continuation sheets and verifying current bond numbers prevents administrative delays and payment stoppages during active construction.

Editor's follow-up — QuickBidSetup Estimating Desk (staff)

When preparing bids or reviewing solicitations that require bonding, estimators should inspect Section I of the contract for mandatory bonding clauses. Under Acquisition.GOV FAR 28.106-4, the contracting officer must insert the clause at 52.228-2, Additional Bond Security, whenever bonds are required. Furthermore, pursuant to section 806(a)(3) of Public Law 102-190, as amended by sections 2091 and 8105 of Public Law 103-355 (10 U.S.C. 4601 note prec.), the contracting officer must insert the clause at 52.228-12, Prospective Subcontractor Requests for Bonds, in solicitations and contracts where a payment bond is furnished under 40 U.S.C chapter 31, subchapter III, Bonds (except for commercial products or commercial services acquisitions).

Sources

Federal Acquisition Regulation references used in this article:

Published October 30, 2026. No affiliate links on this page. Facts come from the sources linked above; check them for updates.