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Base Period Active, Future Option Expired- Can it be 'revived' by bi-lateral modification??


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My question relates to an IDIQ with an active base period of performance (Phase I) that will be expiring soon. The gov't missed the notice period requirement to exercise the option for Phase II and thus the option has lapsed. The CO believes we can execute a bi-lateral modification to change the notice period term so that it has not yet expired. We would like to use this opportunity to renegotiate terms, specifically pricing, if possible.

Can the contract option period for Phase II be modified to change it's notice period to retroactively make it appear to not have expired? It expired almost a year ago. In the alternative, can the parties negotiate a new option and add it to the contract via a bilateral modification? Would either of these actions violate/require an exemption from CICA? The base year PoP is still open because it has been given multiple no-cost extensions to continue work under Phase I. This is an IDIQ for a production contract. Phase I was for first articles and testing followed by a price redetermination. Phase II is for production units.

Looking through this forum, I have read many posts on expired options and that they are null and void or 'dead' so to speak and cannot be revived. But in all those instances and the cases cited within the discussions, the base period had expired so the option to extend could not be revived. Here, my facts are different in that the base period is not yet expired. The contract contains FAR 52.217-7 Option for Increased Quantity- Separately Priced Line Item (March 1989).

Appreciate any feedback on the above and if possible, please let me know if you have any case law to support your position.

Thank you so much!

 

 

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3 hours ago, bob7947 said:

You posted your question during the weekend on Saturday and your second post was on Sunday.  Although some members respond on weekends, most respond on work days.  

Thanks. Long time lurker first time poster.  Didn't realize most people respond on weekdays. 

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27 minutes ago, Matthew Fleharty said:

Since it’s the weekend, try pondering the following: What rule(s) about options or modifying contract options leads you to conclude that your situation is substantively different merely because a base period is active?

In all the examples I saw, the base had expired so the contract had ended. My K is still active so perhaps the option  language can still be modified. 

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On 7/14/2018 at 9:02 AM, Contractor123 said:

We would like to use this opportunity to renegotiate terms, specifically pricing, if possible.

And this is problematic to especially if options were evaluated ss part of the award decision.

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My view. From your facts, it appears clear that the Government believes it is no longer contractually able to exercise the option, hence the talk about bilateral agreement. In my world, two parties can successfully find a contractual way to agree to the delivery of production quantities. You and/or the Government may have a sound basis to reach agreement on a different price. It is not clear if your company’s performance contributed to the delay in exercising the option. For example, if first article acceptability was delayed past the contract schedule date. This may provide an argument by the Government that it was not able to exercise the option until now. Also, not clear if there are any extenuating circumstances on the Government side such as funding and shutdowns that delayed the exercise of the option. Hopefully your company will also consider whether it still wants or is capable of performing production work. Finally, it is not clear from the facts whether or not additional un priced quantities may be ordered by the Government under an existing contract clause.

Edited by Neil Roberts
clarification re pricing
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2 hours ago, C Culham said:

And this is problematic to especially if options were evaluated ss part of the award decision.

The priced options were part of the evaluation of the award.  However, there is a price redetermination opportunity at the end of phase I. 

A concern is that if the parties are not able to agree to a redetermined price and the govt exercises the option, we may be forced to perform and deal with any disagreement via a dispute under the disputes clause (which is how disagreements on the redetermined price are to be handled).

If the option is dead and we can negotiate new terms, this would be a more favorable position for the company.  Can we renegotiate new options without violating/needing exemption from CICA? Is the CO correct that we can just modify the notice period so that it has not expired so the govt can still exercise it? This would be the govts ideal position. There are very different possible outcomes based on which path is taken and/or allowable. 

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2 hours ago, Neil Roberts said:

My view. From your facts, it appears clear that the Government believes it is no longer contractually able to exercise the option, hence the talk about bilateral agreement. In my world, two parties can successfully find a contractual way to agree to the delivery of production quantities. You and/or the Government may have a sound basis to reach agreement on a different price. It is not clear if your company’s performance contributed to the delay in exercising the option. For example, if first article acceptability was delayed past the contract schedule date.

There are reasons for the delays on both sides.

 

This may provide an argument by the Government that it was not able to exercise the option until now.

Wouldn't it have been prudent for the govt to then do a contract mod to extend the notice period? If there were delays and the govt did not do its due diligence to protect it's interest, can they come back a year later and do so?

Also, not clear if there are any extenuating circumstances on the Government side such as funding and shutdowns that delayed the exercise of the option.

No.

Hopefully your company will also consider whether it still wants or is capable of performing production work.

 

2 hours ago, Neil Roberts said:

Finally, it is not clear from the facts whether or not additional un priced quantities may be ordered by the Government under an existing contract clause.

No.

 

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10 hours ago, Contractor123 said:

If the option is dead...

If? 😑

What’s the basic rule governing how an option must be exercised?

What are the rules governing changes to a contract when it comes to the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA)?

I’m sure if you thought about those two questions in light of all the situational facts you have available that we don’t/won’t, you’d know what you could and couldn’t do and how to do it.

You didn’t post this in the beginner’s section so you should have some foundational knowledge about contracting (and options) - try thinking about it from that vantage point.

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On ‎7‎/‎15‎/‎2018 at 1:02 AM, Contractor123 said:

Can the contract option period for Phase II be modified to change it's notice period to retroactively make it appear to not have expired?

In the alternative, can the parties negotiate a new option and add it to the contract via a bilateral modification? 

Would either of these actions violate/require an exemption from CICA?

1. The notice period can be changed. (I don't know of an absolute prohibition.)

2. Generally, the parties may at any time, make mutually agreed upon changes within the general scope of a contract anytime before final payment.

3. Generally, a change outside the scope of the contract/competition is a new procurement that the Contracting Officer is not authorized to order. Whether either of these actions 'violate/require an exemption from CICA' requires more information.

Remember, an option must have been evaluated as part of the initial competition and be exercisable at an amount specified in or reasonably determinable from the terms of the basic contract. (You mentioned renegotiating terms and price redetermination requirements; also, letting a year lapse may prove difficult to justify.)

In order to get a more useful response you will need to provide detailed information or revise your question:

There are two primary issues and you can probably decide for yourself if you filter your fact scenario through the rules regarding exercising options (exact accord with price and terms); and contract changes (scope determinations, and clauses).

Alliant Techsystems, Inc. v. United States, 178 F.3d 1260, 1275 (Fed. Cir. 1999), 41 GC ¶ 308 (“[A]n attempt to exercise an option outside its terms does not constitute a valid exercise of the option.”); Griffin Servs., Inc., ASBCA No. 52280 et al., 02-2 BCA ¶ 31,943, at 157,803 (“The Government’s exercise of an option must be unconditional and done in strict accordance with its terms. Any attempt by the Government offeree to alter the conditions of the option will render the exercise of it ineffective.”); Contel Page Servs. Inc., ASBCA No. 32100, 87-1 BCA ¶ 19,540, at 98,734 (an option must be unconditionally accepted and any attempt to alter the option terms will render exercise of the option ineffective); Holly Corp., ASBCA No. 24975, 83-1 BCA ¶ 16,327, at 81,164 (“the notice by which the power of an option holder is exercised must be unconditional and in exact accord with the terms of the option” (citing Corbin on Contracts § 264 (1963)).

 

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Guest Vern Edwards
On 7/14/2018 at 9:02 AM, Contractor123 said:

Can the contract option period for Phase II be modified to change it's notice period to retroactively make it appear to not have expired?

What option clause is in the contract? If the clause is FAR 52.217-9, and if the only problem is that the government failed to give the "preliminary written notice," then the CO should ask the contractor to waive the preliminary written notice requirement in writing and then exercise the option before the end of the period of performance.

On 7/14/2018 at 9:02 AM, Contractor123 said:

We would like to use this opportunity to renegotiate terms, specifically pricing, if possible... can the parties negotiate a new option and add it to the contract via a bilateral modification?

The CO must obtain an approved sole source justification in order to do either of those things.

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Guest Vern Edwards
9 hours ago, Jamaal Valentine said:

Generally, the Contracting Officer may at any time, by written order make changes within the general scope of a contract anytime before final payment.

That's an incomplete paraphrase of the terms of the Changes clause, FAR 52.243-1, et al. What the clause says is:

Quote

The Contracting Officer may at any time, by written order, and without notice to the sureties, if any, make changes within the general scope of this contract in any one or more of the following:

(1) Drawings, designs, or specifications when the supplies to be furnished are to be specially manufactured for the Government in accordance with the drawings, designs, or specifications.

(2) Method of shipment or packing.

(3) Place of delivery.

The list of things the CO may change by written order does not include the deadline for preliminary written notice.

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10 hours ago, Jamaal Valentine said:

Generally, the Contracting Officer may at any time, by written order make changes within the general scope of a contract anytime before final payment

 

26 minutes ago, Vern Edwards said:

That's an incomplete paraphrase of the terms of the Changes clause, FAR 52.243-1, et al.

Well here we go.  An OP provides dribbling information and then we make conclusions based on the lack there of until it is dribbled out.    Question - What if it is a Commercial Item acquisition and 52.212-4 has not been tailored, what then?

 

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27 minutes ago, Vern Edwards said:

That's an incomplete paraphrase of the terms of the Changes clause, FAR 52.243-1, et al. What the clause says is:

The list of things the CO may change by written order does not include the deadline for preliminary written notice.

I intentionally wrote it as such because the various changes clauses are specific to changes within those clauses (e.g., unilateral change orders). I have since removed 'by written order' because I don't necessarily believe the parties are limited to those types of changes (change orders).

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Guest Vern Edwards
4 minutes ago, Jamaal Valentine said:

I have since removed 'by written order' because I don't necessarily believe the parties are limited to those types of changes.

I don't understand "I don't necessarily believe the parties are limited to those types of changes."

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16 hours ago, Vern Edwards said:

I don't understand "I don't necessarily believe the parties are limited to those types of changes."

I don't think the parties are limited to only changes listed in a changes clause. The standard changes clauses allow the government to order unilateral changes. Why couldn't parties mutually agree to modifications not covered in a changes clause?

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Guest Vern Edwards

@Jamaal Valentine

Are you saying that the Changes clauses authorize changes other than those specified in the clauses, or are you saying that the parties to a contract can mutually agree to make changes other than those mentioned in the Changes clauses? 

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1 minute ago, Vern Edwards said:

@Jamaal Valentine

Are you saying that the Changes clauses authorize changes other than those specified in the clauses, or are you saying that the parties to a contract can mutually agree to make changes other than those mentioned in the Changes clauses? 

Definitely the latter.

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Guest Vern Edwards
On 7/14/2018 at 9:02 AM, Contractor123 said:

My question relates to an IDIQ with an active base period of performance (Phase I) that will be expiring soon. The gov't missed the notice period requirement to exercise the option for Phase II and thus the option has lapsed. The CO believes we can execute a bi-lateral modification to change the notice period term so that it has not yet expired. We would like to use this opportunity to renegotiate terms, specifically pricing, if possible.

Those remarks refer specifically to the "notice requirement," by which I presume the OP meant the "preliminary notice requirement" in FAR 52.217-9 or one like it. If that's not what he meant he should come back here quickly and clear things up. I also presume, since he wanted a prompt response from us, that he is monitoring this thread.

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39 minutes ago, Vern Edwards said:

Those remarks refer specifically to the "notice requirement," by which I presume the OP meant the "preliminary notice requirement" in FAR 52.217-9 or one like it. If that's not what he meant he should come back here quickly and clear things up. I also presume, since he wanted a prompt response from us, that he is monitoring this thread.

In my original post, I cited the option clause included in the k. It is 52.217-7. The fill in language in the clause states the govt had to provide written notice to the contractor to exercise its option 24 months after award. No preliminary notice was required. The 24 months passed. The CO wants to modify the 24 months to 48 months.  Question is can he do so if both parties agree? If an option has to be exercised in strict compliance with its terms, can the terms be changed after the period to exercise has passed.  

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