(a) When a solicitation contains ``brand name or equal'' purchase descriptions, the contracting officer must not require a bidder who offers brand name products, including component parts, referenced in the descriptions to furnish bid samples of the referenced brand name products.
(b) A solicitation may require the submission of bid samples in the case of a bidder offering ``or equal'' products. If bid samples are required, the contracting officer must include in the solicitation the provision set forth at FAR 52.214-20, Bid Samples.
(c) A bidder must furnish all descriptive literature in accordance with and for the purpose set forth in the ``Brand Name or Equal'' clause, 852.211-73(c)(1) and (c)(2), even though bid samples may not be required.