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FAR and DFARS › DFARS Part 217: Special Contracting Methods › Subpart 217.2

DFARS 217.204 Contracts.

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 DFARS section sets limits on how long DoD task order and delivery order contracts awarded under 10 U.S.C. 3403 can last. The ordering period may be up to 5 years, can be extended by options, and generally cannot exceed 10 years unless the agency head makes a written determination of exceptional circumstances. It also lists contract types that are excluded from these rules and requires senior procurement executive approval for orders extending more than 1 year beyond the applicable limit.

Applies to: DoD task order and delivery order contracts awarded under 10 U.S.C. 3403

What it requires

  • Keep the ordering period within the stated limits unless the head of the agency makes a written determination of exceptional circumstances for a longer period.
  • Obtain approval from the senior procurement executive before issuing an order if performance is expected to extend more than 1 year beyond the 10-year limit or extended limit.

Key terms: ordering period · task order or delivery order contract · option · exceptional circumstances · senior procurement executive

Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.

The text

(e)(i) Notwithstanding FAR 17.204(e), the ordering period of a task order or delivery order contract (including a contract for information technology) awarded by DoD pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 3403—

(A) May be for any period up to 5 years;

(B) May be subsequently extended for one or more successive periods in accordance with an option provided in the contract or a modification of the contract; and

(C) Shall not exceed 10 years unless the head of the agency determines in writing that exceptional circumstances require a longer ordering period.

(ii) Paragraph (e)(i) of this section does not apply to the following:

(A) Contracts, including task or delivery order contracts, awarded under other statutory authority.

(B) Advisory and assistance service task order contracts (authorized by 10 U.S.C. 3405 that are limited by statute to 5 years, with the authority to extend an additional 6 months (see FAR 16.505(c)).

(C) Definite-quantity contracts.

(D) GSA schedule contracts.

(E) Multi-agency contracts awarded by agencies other than NASA, DoD, or the Coast Guard.

(iii) Obtain approval from the senior procurement executive before issuing an order against a task or delivery order contract subject to paragraph (e)(i) of this section, if performance under the order is expected to extend more than 1 year beyond the 10-year limit or extended limit described in paragraph (e)(i)(C) of this section (see FAR 37.106 for funding and term of service contracts).

Sections it refers to

Sections that refer to it

← 217.202 Use of options. · 217.207 Exercise of options. →

Rule changes for DFARS Part 217

Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.

DFARS 217.204 Contracts · SpendQuery