# PART 1517 - SPECIAL CONTRACTING METHODS

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; Sec. 205(c), 63 Stat. 390, as amended, 40 U.S.C. 486(c); and 41 U.S.C. 418b.

Source: 49 FR 8854, Mar. 8, 1984, unless otherwise noted.

Subpart 1517.2 - Options

1517.204 Contracts.

1517.207 Exercise of options.

1517.208 Solicitation provisions and contract clauses.

## Subpart 1517.2 - Options

### 1517.204 Contracts.

The SCM may approve a contract with a base contract period and option periods which total in excess of five (5) years, unless otherwise prohibited by statute.

### 1517.207 Exercise of options.

(a) Unless otherwise approved by the Chief of the Contracting Office, contracts for services employing option periods shall require that a preliminary written notice of the Government's intention to exercise the option be furnished to the Contractor a minimum of sixty (60) calendar days prior to the date for the exercise of the option. Failure to provide such preliminary notice within the timeframe established in the contract waives the Government's right to unilaterally exercise the option and requires the negotiation of a bilateral contract modification in order to extend the period of performance, where such an extension is authorized.

(b) When the term of the service contract coincides with the fiscal year and delays in receipt of authority to obligate funds for the new fiscal year are anticipated, the Contracting Officer, if the contract so provides (see FAR 17.204(d)), may, within 60 days after the end of the fiscal year, unilaterally exercise an option to extend the term of the contract. The option may be exercised only if funds become available within the 60-day period. In the event that sufficient funding is not available within the 60 day period, the Government waives the right to exercise the option, thereby rendering any additional requirements subject to full and open competition requirements.

(c) The Contracting Officer, if the contract so provides, may, subject to the conditions in FAR 17.204(d), 32.703-2, and 32.705-1(a), exercise an option contingent upon the availability of funds. To exercise such an option, the contract must contain the clause in FAR 52.232-18, Availability of Funds. Under no circumstances shall any action be taken which could be construed as creating a legal liability on the part of the Government until a formal notice of availability of funds in the form of a contract modification has been issued by the Contracting Officer.

### 1517.208 Solicitation provisions and contract clauses.

(a) The Contracting Officer shall insert the provision at 48 CFR 1552.217-70, Evaluation of Contract Options, in solicitations containing options.

(b) The Contracting Officer shall insert the clause at 48 CFR 1552.217-71, Option to Extend the Term of the Contract - Cost-Type Contract, when applicable.

(c) The Contracting Officer shall insert the clause at 48 CFR 1552.217-72, Option to Extend the Term of the Contract - Cost-Plus-Award-Fee Contract, when applicable.

(d) The Contracting Officer shall insert the clause at 48 CFR 1552.217-73, Option for Increased Quantity - Cost-Type Contract, when applicable.

(e) The Contracting Officer shall insert the clause at 48 CFR 1552.217-74, Option for Increased Quantity - Cost-Plus-Award-Fee Contract, when applicable.

(f) The Contracting Officer shall insert the clause at 48 CFR 1552.217-75, Option to Extend the Effective Period of the Contract - Time and Materials or Labor Hour Contract, when applicable.

(g) The Contracting Officer shall insert the clause at 48 CFR 1552.217-76, Option to Extend the Effective Period of the Contract - Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity Contract, when applicable.

(h) The Contracting officer shall insert the clause at 48 CFR 1552.217-77, Option to Extend the Term of the Contract - Fixed Price, when applicable.