Overview
This section prescribes the requirements for including FAR clause 52.236-14 in solicitations and contracts to allow contractors to use existing Government-owned utility systems during performance.
Key Rules
- Applicability: Limited to fixed-price contracts for construction, dismantling, demolition, or removal of improvements performed on Government sites.
- Mandatory Determinations: The Contracting Officer must determine that the existing utility system is adequate for both Government and contractor needs and that providing the service is in the Government’s best interest.
- Contractual Requirement: When the clause is included, the Contracting Officer is required to explicitly list all available utilities within the contract documents.
Practical Implications
- By providing existing utilities, the Government can often reduce overall contract costs as contractors do not need to factor in the expense of portable utility solutions (e.g., generators or water trucks) into their bids.
- Contracting Officers must conduct a preliminary assessment of utility capacity to ensure that contractor usage will not disrupt ongoing Government operations at the site.