When a federal agency will accept annual performance coverage for supply and service awards, Standard Form 35 replaces a separate SF 25 on each contract. One gross penal sum on the face covers every contract with that agency during the fiscal year ending September 30, and FAR 28.104 requires more bond once obligated sums approach that limit.
| Title / common name | SF 35 — Annual Performance Bond (Standard Form 35), the federal annual performance bond for supply and service contracts Authorized for use in the acquisition of supplies and services, excluding construction, in lieu of SF 25 (Performance Bond). |
|---|---|
| Bond type | Contract — annual performance bond (non-construction federal contracts) |
| Industry / license category | Federal supply and service contracting / contract surety |
| Jurisdiction | United States (federal) · General Services Administration (GSA) forms library / Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Prescribed by FAR (48 CFR) 53.228(g). FAR 28.106-1(g) lists SF 35; FAR 28.104 limits annual performance bonds to nonconstruction contracts and requires a gross penal sum applicable to the total amount of all covered contracts. |
| Obligee | United States of America (“the Government”) The bond reads: “We, the Principal and Surety(ies), are firmly bound to the United States of America (hereinafter called the Government) in the above penal sum.” The face also names the agency representing the Government. |
| Typical penal sum | Stated on the face of the bond (Million(s) / Thousand(s) / Hundred(s) / Cents blanks); gross sum for all covered contracts FAR 28.104(a): the bond shall provide a gross penal sum applicable to the total amount of all covered contracts. FAR 28.104(b): when the penal sums obligated by contracts are approximately equal to or exceed the annual penal sum, an additional bond is required to cover any excess. |
| When it is used | In lieu of a separate SF 25 for each supply or service contract with a named agency during one fiscal year The principal contemplates entering into contracts from time to time during the fiscal year ending September 30 (year blank on the face) with the named Government department or agency for furnishing supplies or services. All of those contracts are covered by this single bond. |
| What voids the bond | Full performance of every covered contract, extension, guaranty and authorized modification The obligation is void if the principal (a) performs and fulfills all undertakings, covenants, terms, conditions and agreements of any and all of those contracts entered into during the original term and any extensions granted by the Government with or without notice to the surety(ies) and during the life of any guaranty required under the contracts; and (b) performs and fulfills all undertakings of any and all duly authorized modifications of those contracts. Notice of those modifications to the surety(ies) is waived. |
| Sureties | Corporate sureties on the Treasury list (Circular 570) within their listed limits, or individual sureties with SF 28 Instruction 3(a): corporate sureties must appear on the Department of the Treasury’s list of approved sureties and act within the listed limitations. Individual sureties need a completed Affidavit of Individual Surety (SF 28). |
| Companion form | SF 34 — Annual Bid Bond The annual bid companion is SF 34. Per-contract non-construction performance and payment stay on SF 1418 and SF 1416; construction performance remains SF 25. |
| Form number / edition | SF 35 · Rev. 10/2023 · 3 pages (form, surety blocks, instructions / PRA) GSA lists the current revision date as 10/2023 (checked 2026-11-06); the form says “Previous Edition Is Not Usable”. FAR 53.228(g) text still cites the older Rev. 8/2016, so use the GSA library copy. OMB Control Number 9000-0001; Expiration Date 1/31/2027. |
| Effective / cancellation | Covers contracts entered into during the named fiscal year ending September 30, plus extensions and the required guaranty period The form has no surety cancellation clause. FAR 28.104(b) requires an additional bond once obligated penal sums approach or exceed the annual figure. |
| Source | GSA — SF 35 Annual Performance Bond (PDF) (official federal form · Rev. 10/2023 · 3 pages · linked, not hosted) Also: GSA Forms Library — SF35 · FAR 53.228 · FAR 28.106-1 · FAR 28.104 |
| Status | current |
| Last verified | 2026-11-06 |
From SF 35: “The above obligation is void if the Principal - (a) performs and fulfills all the undertakings, covenants, terms, conditions, and agreements of any and all of those contracts entered into during the original term and any extensions granted by the Government with or without notice to the surety(ies) and during the life of any guaranty required under the contracts; and (b) performs and fulfills all the undertakings… of any and all duly authorized modifications of those contracts… Notice of those modifications to the surety(ies) is waived.”
Use SF 35 only for non-construction supply and service contracts when the agency accepts an annual bond (FAR 28.104). Construction performance stays on SF 25 with the SF 25A payment bond. Per-contract non-construction performance and payment are SF 1418 and SF 1416. The annual bid companion is SF 34.
FAR 28.104(b) is the tripwire: when the penal sums obligated under covered contracts approach or exceed the annual figure, the contractor must furnish an additional bond. That is why underwriters track open awards against the face amount. The contract surety guide and co-surety and penal sums on megaprojects cover how capacity is reserved; the Miller Act and little Miller Act guide explains the separate construction-bond rules that annual SF 35 does not replace.
Open the Source link above for the official GSA PDF. We summarize field facts and quote one short key clause rather than reproducing the form. Use the current form from the GSA Forms Library; Global Guarantors does not host copies.