[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 48, Volume 6]
[Revised as of October 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 48CFR1517.207]

[Page 38]
 
            TITLE 48--FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATIONS SYSTEM
 
               CHAPTER 15--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
 
PART 1517--SPECIAL CONTRACTING METHODS--Table of Contents
 
                         Subpart 1517.2--Options
 
Sec. 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.

[49 FR 8854, Mar. 8, 1984, as amended at 50 FR 14359, Apr. 11, 1985]