SF LLL
Disclosure of Lobbying Activities
What It Is
SF LLL implements the Byrd Amendment, which bars using appropriated funds to lobby for a federal contract, grant, or loan above a statutory dollar threshold. Offerors certify they haven't used appropriated funds to lobby; if they have paid for lobbying with other (non-appropriated) funds in connection with the award, they must disclose it on SF LLL. Most SDVOSBs file nothing because they don't pay lobbyists — but the certification is part of the offer, so it has to be addressed.
When You'll Use It
- With offers on contracts (and grants/loans) above the Byrd Amendment threshold.
- When a firm has paid a registrant to influence a covered federal action and must disclose it.
- Updated when previously disclosed lobbying information materially changes.
Who Completes It
The offeror completes and certifies; if no covered lobbying occurred, the related certification stands and no SF LLL disclosure is filed.
Key Blocks to Get Right
| Block / Section | What It Captures |
|---|---|
| Type of federal action | Whether the disclosure relates to a contract, grant, loan, or other covered action, and its status. |
| Lobbying registrant & individuals | Who was paid to lobby and on whose behalf — the substance of the disclosure. |
| Amount & form of payment | What was paid (or is to be paid) for the lobbying activity in connection with the covered action. |
Common Pitfalls
- Assuming the certification is automatic and never reading it — you are certifying no appropriated funds were used to lobby.
- Failing to file SF LLL when non-appropriated funds were used for covered lobbying, which is a disclosure violation.
- Confusing ordinary business development with covered lobbying; when unsure, ask counsel before certifying.
Frequently Asked
Does a small SDVOSB usually have to file SF LLL?
Usually not. SF LLL is only required when a firm has paid for lobbying to influence a covered federal action above the Byrd Amendment threshold. Most small businesses don't engage paid lobbyists, so they rely on the accompanying certification (no appropriated funds used) and file no disclosure. You still have to address the certification because it's part of the offer.
What is the Byrd Amendment?
The Byrd Amendment (31 U.S.C. 1352) prohibits using federal appropriated funds to lobby for the award or modification of a federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement, and requires disclosure (on SF LLL) of lobbying paid with other funds. FAR 52.203-12 implements it for contracts above the statutory threshold.
Primary Sources
- FAR 52.203-12 — Limitation on Payments to Influence Certain Federal Transactions
- FAR 3.808 — Reports of Reporting Compliance (Byrd Amendment)
Plain-English reference, not legal advice. Standard forms are periodically reissued and the FAR is amended for inflation and policy — always download the current edition from the GSA Forms Library and confirm requirements against the solicitation and your contracting officer before relying on it.
Change log (1)
- LaunchedPublished the federal contracting forms reference covering the standard forms an SDVOSB encounters when bidding and performing set-asides — SF 1449, SF 33, SF 18, SF 30, SF 1442, SF 330, SF 1408, SF 1413, the eSRS ISR (formerly SF 294), SF LLL, SF 1034/1035, and the SAM.gov representations & certifications (FAR 52.204-8) — each with a key-blocks table, filing pitfalls, FAQPage, DigitalDocument, Dataset, and BreadcrumbList structured data, primary-source FAR citations, and cross-links into the glossary, how-to guides, FAQ, and regulation explainers.