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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION ACQUISITION MANUAL (GSAM)

Part 517—Special Contracting Methods

Subpart 517.1—Multiyear Contracting

517.101  Authority.

(a) In addition to the multiyear authority described in FAR 17.101, GSA is authorized to enter into contracts for periods not to exceed:

(1) Five years for the inspection, maintenance, and repair of fixed building equipment in federally owned buildings (40 U.S.C. 490(a)(14)).

(2) Ten years for public utility services (40 U.S.C. 481(a)(3)).

(3) Five years for contracts awarded under the Information Technology Fund (40 U.S.C. 757(c)).

(b) You may award contracts under the authority of paragraph (a)(1) or paragraph (a)(2) of this section without a cancellation clause.

517.109  Contract clauses.

Use of FAR 52.217-2, Cancellation Under Multi-year Contracts, is optional in multiyear contracts authorized by 40 U.S.C. 490(a)(14) for maintenance and repair of fixed equipment in federally-owned buildings and services and 40 U.S.C. 481(a)(3) for public utility services.

Subpart 517.2—Options

517.200  Scope of subpart.

(a) This subpart applies to all GSA contracts for supplies and services, including:

(1) Services involving construction, alteration, or repair (including dredging, excavating, and painting) of buildings, bridges, roads, or other kinds of real property.

(2) Architect-engineer services.

(b) If a requirement in this subpart is inconsistent with FAR 17.2, this subpart takes precedence.

517.202  Use of options.

(a) Supplies or services.

(1) You should use options when they meet one or more of the following objectives:

(i) Reduce procurement lead time and associated costs.

(ii) Ensure continuity of contract support.

(iii) Improve overall contractor performance.

(iv) Facilitate longer term contractual relationships with those contractors that continually meet or exceed quality performance expectations.

(2) An option is normally in the Government’s interest in the following circumstances:

(i) You anticipate a need for additional supplies or services during the contract term.

(ii) Multiyear contracting authority is not available or its use is inappropriate and you anticipate a need for additional supplies or services beyond the initial contract term.

(iii) There is a need for continuity of supply or service support.

(iv) Funds are not available for the entirety of the Government’s needs, but are likely to become available during the contract term.

(v) The initial contract will be used to evaluate the performance of an emerging small business.

(3) Do not use an option if the market price is likely to change substantially and an economic price adjustment clause inadequately protects the Government’s interest.

(b) Construction. For limitations on the use of options, see 536.213 and 536.270.

517.203  Solicitations.

A solicitation that includes an option to extend should inform offerors that the contract could result in a long term contractual relationship subject to both of the following conditions:

(a) Continuing need by GSA.

(b) Level of contract performance that at least meets GSA’s quality performance expectations.

517.204  Contracts.

(a) Information technology contracts. Notwithstanding FAR 17.204(e), the 5 year limitations apply also to information technology contracts unless a longer period is authorized by statute.

(b) Requests to exceed 5-year limitation. A request to exceed the 5-year limitation specified in FAR 17.204(e) must provide all the following information:

(1) Clearly explain the contract(s) and organization(s) covered by the request.

(2) Support the need for and reasonableness of the extension. Consider factors such as the following:

(i) The results of market research.

(ii) Stability of the requirement(s).

(iii) Benefits to the Government.

(iv) Use of a performance-based contracting approach.

(v) Availability of funds to cover estimated cancellation costs as well as costs for the first contract period.

(vi) Customary commercial practice.

(vii) Mechanisms to adjust for economic fluctuations.

(c) Approval authority. Requests to exceed the 5-year limitations specified in FAR 17.204(e) must be approved by:

(1) The head of the contracting activity for individual contracts.

(2) GSA’s Senior Procurement Executive for classes of contracts.

517.207  Exercise of options.

Before exercising an option, you must:

(a) Synopsize it unless you meet of the following conditions:

(1) The option was evaluated as part of the original competition.

(2) The contract action meets an exception in FAR 5.202.

(b) Conclude that the contractor’s performance under the contract met or exceeded the Government’s expectation for quality performance, unless another circumstance justifies an extended contractual relationship.

(c) Determine that the option price is fair and reasonable.

517.208  Solicitation provisions and contract clauses.

(a) For solicitations under FSS’s Stock or Special Order Program, insert a provision substantially the same as the provision at 552.217-70, Evaluation of Options, if both of the following conditions apply:

(1) The solicitation contains an option to extend the term of the contract.

(2) The contract will be fixed price and contain an economic price adjustment clause.

(b) Insert the provision at 552.217-71, Notice Regarding Option(s), or a similar provision, in solicitations that include an option for increased quantities of supplies or services or an option to extend.

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