FAR and DFARS › FAR Part 17: Special Contracting Methods › Subpart 17.2
FAR 17.208 Solicitation provisions and contract clauses.
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 tells contracting officers which solicitation provisions and contract clauses about options they must include in solicitations and contracts. It matters to contractors because the option-related provision or clause used in a solicitation affects how options are evaluated and how option quantities or extensions are handled.
Applies to: Contracting officers preparing solicitations and contracts that include options
Key terms: option clause · solicitation provision · contract clause · sealed bids · option
Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.
The text
(a) Insert a provision substantially the same as the provision at 52.217-3, Evaluation Exclusive of Options, in solicitations when the solicitation includes an option clause and does not include one of the provisions prescribed in paragraph (b) or (c) below.
(b) Insert a provision substantially the same as the provision at 52.217-4, Evaluation of Options Exercised at Time of Contract Award, in solicitations when the solicitation includes an option clause, the contracting officer has determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that the option will be exercised, and the option may be exercised at the time of contract award.
(c) Insert a provision substantially the same as the provision at 52.217-5, Evaluation of Options, in solicitations when—
(1) The solicitation contains an option clause;
(2) An option is not to be exercised at the time of contract award;
(3) A firm-fixed-price contract, a fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment, or other type of contract approved under agency procedures is contemplated; and
(4) The contracting officer has determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that the option will be exercised. For sealed bids, the determination shall be in writing.
(d) Insert a clause substantially the same as the clause at 52.217-6, Option for Increased Quantity, in solicitations and contracts, other than those for services, when the inclusion of an option is appropriate (see 17.200 and 17.202) and the option quantity is expressed as a percentage of the basic contract quantity or as an additional quantity of a specific line item.
(e) Insert a clause substantially the same as the clause at 52.217-7, Option for Increased Quantity—Separately Priced Line Item, in solicitations and contracts, other than those for services, when the inclusion of an option is appropriate (see 17.200 and 17.202) and the option quantity is identified as a separately priced line item having the same nomenclature as a corresponding line item.
(f) Insert a clause substantially the same as the clause at 52.217-8, Options to Extend Services, in solicitations and contracts for services when the inclusion of an option is appropriate. (See 17.200, 17.202, and 37.111.)
(g) Insert a clause substantially the same as the clause at 52.217-9, Option to Extend the Term of the Contract, in solicitations and contracts when the inclusion of an option is appropriate (see 17.200 and 17.202) and it is necessary to include in the contract any or all of the following:
(1) A requirement that the Government must give the contractor a preliminary written notice of its intent to extend the contract.
(2) A statement that an extension of the contract includes an extension of the option.
(3) A specified limitation on the total duration of the contract.
Sections it refers to
- 52.217-3 Evaluation Exclusive of Options.
- 52.217-4 Evaluation of Option Exercised at Time of Contract Award.
- 52.217-5 Evaluation of Options.
- 52.217-6 Option for Increased Quantity.
- 17.200 Scope of subpart.
- 17.202 Use of options.
- 52.217-7 Option for Increased Quantity—Separately Priced Line Item.
- 52.217-8 Option To Extend Services.
- 37.111 Extension of services.
- 52.217-9 Option To Extend the Term of the Contract.
Sections that refer to it
- 12.301 Solicitation provisions and contract clauses for the acquisition of commercial products and commercial services.
- 17.203 Solicitations.
- 17.206 Evaluation.
- 37.111 Extension of services.
- 52.217-3 Evaluation Exclusive of Options.
- 52.217-4 Evaluation of Option Exercised at Time of Contract Award.
- 52.217-5 Evaluation of Options.
- 52.217-6 Option for Increased Quantity.
- 52.217-7 Option for Increased Quantity—Separately Priced Line Item.
- 52.217-8 Option To Extend Services.
- 52.217-9 Option To Extend the Term of the Contract.
← 17.207 Exercise of options. · 17.401 General. →
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.