# 541.204 GSA areawide contracts.

(a)The existence of a GSA areawide contract for the required service and location does not necessarily mean that the subject utility provider is the only source capable of meeting the requirement (see FAR 41.202(a) and 41.204(c)(1)). When market research and acquisition planning support ordering the entire requirement under an area-wide contract, the contracting officer may do so, but shall utilize the annual reviews required by FAR 41.401 to determine the feasibility of later entering into a competitive contract for a portion of the requirement.

(b) FAR Deviation.

(1)Except as may be otherwise required by the terms of the areawide contract, and notwithstanding the requirement at FAR 41.204(c)(1), a bilateral written order is not required to establish new accounts or to pay for services rendered under an areawide contract.

(2)Notwithstanding the requirement at FAR 41.204(c)(3), the contracting officer does not have to use the Standard Form 26.

(3)Instead, GSA will follow the Regulated Utility Service Procedures set forth at https://insite.gsa.gov/utilityacquisition.