FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 17: Special Contracting Methods › Subpart 17.2
FAR 17.206 Evaluation.
The codified text (eCFR, as of 2026-10-02). Under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul ↗, agencies follow class deviations with new text for many parts while the formal rules go through the Federal Register: check the solicitation and your contract's clauses, which rule.
In plain English
This section requires contracting officers to evaluate offers for option quantities or periods when the Government is likely to exercise the options, unless a higher-level official approves a determination that evaluation is not in the Government's best interest. It matters because it affects how contractors' offers are assessed and the potential for option exercises.
Applies to: Contracting officers awarding basic contracts with options
What it requires
- Evaluate offers for any option quantities or periods when it has been determined prior to soliciting offers that the Government is likely to exercise the options.
- Obtain approval at a level above the contracting officer for a determination not to evaluate offers for option quantities.
Key terms: option quantities · option periods · solicitation · determination · contracting officer
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
(a) In awarding the basic contract, the contracting officer shall, except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, evaluate offers for any option quantities or periods contained in a solicitation when it has been determined prior to soliciting offers that the Government is likely to exercise the options. (See 17.208.)
(b) The contracting officer need not evaluate offers for any option quantities when it is determined that evaluation would not be in the best interests of the Government and this determination is approved at a level above the contracting officer. An example of a circumstance that may support a determination not to evaluate offers for option quantities is when there is a reasonable certainty that funds will be unavailable to permit exercise of the option.
Sections it refers to
- 17.208 Solicitation provisions and contract clauses.
← 17.205 Documentation. · 17.207 Exercise of options. →
Rule changes for FAR Part 17
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul Parts 16, 17, and 35 ↗ · proposed 2026-09-18 · comments due 2026-10-19
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Inflation Adjustment of Acquisition-Related Thresholds ↗ · final rule 2025-08-27 · effective 2025-10-01
- Federal Acquisition Regulation; Technical Amendments ↗ · final rule 2025-05-12 · effective 2025-06-11
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Preventing Organizational Conflicts of Interest in Federal Acquisition ↗ · proposed 2025-01-15 · comments due 2025-03-17
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Inflation Adjustment of Acquisition-Related Thresholds ↗ · proposed 2024-11-29 · comments due 2025-01-28
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Prohibition on the Use of Reverse Auctions for Complex, Specialized, or Substantial Design and Construction Services ↗ · proposed 2024-08-29 · comments due 2024-10-28
- Federal Acquisition Regulation; Technical Amendments ↗ · final rule 2024-07-30 · effective 2024-08-29
- Federal Acquisition Regulation: Reverse Auction Guidance ↗ · final rule 2024-07-30 · effective 2024-08-29
Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.