# Part 517 - Special Contracting Methods

## Subpart 517.1 - Multi-year Contracting

### 517.101 Authority.

1. (a) In addition to the multi-year authority described in FAR 17.101, GSA is authorized to enter into contracts for periods not to exceed–

   1. (1) Five years for the inspection, maintenance, and repair of fixed building equipment in federally owned buildings (40 U.S.C. 581(c)(6)); or

   2. (2) Ten years for public utility services (40 U.S.C. 501(b)(1)(B)).

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

### 517.103 Definitions.

“Fixed equipment in federally-owned buildings” means all GSA mechanical equipment, including heating/cooling (geothermal), ventilation, electrical (wind/photovoltaic), elevator, escalator, and fire safety systems, components, and devices.

### 517.109 Contract clauses.

Use of FAR 52.217-2, Cancellation Under Multi-year Contracts, is optional in multi-year contracts authorized by 40 U.S.C. 581(c)(6) for maintenance and repair of fixed equipment in federally-owned buildings and services and 40 U.S.C. 501(b)(1)(B) for public utility services.

## Subpart 517.2 - Options

### 517.200 Scope of subpart.

1. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, this subpart applies to contracts for supplies and services, including architect-engineer services.

2. (b) Policies and procedures for the use of options in solicitation provisions and contract clauses for services involving construction, alteration, or repair (including dredging, excavating, and painting) of buildings, bridges, roads, or other kinds of real property are prescribed in 536.270. FAR subpart 17.2 and this subpart do not apply to the use of options in solicitation provisions and contract clauses for services involving construction, alteration, or repair (including dredging, excavating, and painting) of buildings, bridges, roads, or other kinds of real property.

### 517.202 Use of options.

1. (a) Options may be used when they meet one or more of the following objectives:

   1. (1) Reduce procurement lead time and associated costs.

   2. (2) Ensure continuity of contract support.

   3. (3) Improve overall contractor performance.

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

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

   1. (1) There is an anticipated need for additional supplies or services during the contract term.

   2. (2) When there is both a need for additional supplies or services beyond the basic contract period and the use of multi-year contracting authority is inappropriate.

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

3. (c) An option shall not be used if the market price is likely to change substantially and an economic price adjustment clause inadequately protects the Government's interest.

### 517.203 [Reserved]

### 517.204 Contracts.

1. (a) Telecommunication contracts may not exceed 10 years per GSA Order ADM P 5450.39D, GSA Delegations of Authority Manual.

2. (b) Public utility contracts are limited to 10 years (40 U.S.C. 501(b)(1)(B).

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

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

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

      1. (i) The results of market research.

      2. (ii) Stability of the requirement(s).

      3. (iii) Benefits to the Government.

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

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

      6. (vi) Customary commercial practice.

      7. (vii) Mechanisms to adjust for economic fluctuations.

4. (d) Approval authority. Deviation requests to exceed the 5-year limitations specified in FAR 17.204(e) must be approved by–

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

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

### 517.207 Exercise of options.

In addition to the requirements of FAR 17.207, the contracting officer must also:

1. (a) Document the contract file with the rationale for an extended contractual relationship if the contractor's performance rating under the contract is less than satisfactory.

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

### 517.208 Solicitation provisions and contract clauses.

1. (a) For solicitations under Federal Acquisition Service’s 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. (1) The solicitation contains an option to extend the term of the contract.

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

2. (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.

## Subpart 517.5 - Interagency Acquisitions

### 517.502 Procedures.

#### 517.502-70 Information Technology Procurements.

1. (a) The requesting agency is responsible for the required information technology coordination and approval outlined in Federal Information and Technology Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA) (Pub L. No. 113-291) if the procurement involves information technology for the use of the requesting agency and not for GSA use. This requirement for CIO coordination by the requesting agency should be confirmed by GSA as the servicing agency by ensuring this CIO coordination requirement is documented in the interagency agreement or a separate document.

2. (b) The requesting agency is responsible for identifying any special or higher level requirements for network connectivity (e.g. security, basic connectivity and communications) beyond the minimum Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) requirements in FAR 11.002(g) for information technology that will have the capability to access the Internet or any network utilizing Internet protocol (IPv4 or IPv6). The special or higher level requirements as well as any deviation from the requirement in FAR 11.002(g) shall be documented in the interagency agreement.