RFO
RFO Version Available
The Revolutionary FAR Overhaul has published a revised version of this clause. The RFO version supersedes the eCFR text below for contracts using the RFO model; see the RFO deviation for applicability.
View RFO version52.217-5 Evaluation of Options. As prescribed in 17.208(c), insert a provision substantially the same as the following: Evaluation of Options (JUL 1990) Except when it is determined in accordance with FAR 17.206(b) not to be in the Government's best interests, the Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. Evaluation of options will not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s). (End of provision) [53 FR 17860, May 18, 1988, as amended at 55 FR 25532, June 21, 1990; 69 FR 59704, Oct. 5, 2004]
17.208(c)
(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.
(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.
DFARS Supplementary Guidance
217.208
Sealed bid solicitations shall not include provisions for evaluations of options unless the contracting officer determines that there is a reasonable likelihood that the options will be exercised (10 U.S.C. 3206(e)). This limitation also applies to sealed bid solicitations for the contracts excluded by FAR 17.200.
Prescription data sourced from eCFR as of 2026-06-10 03:16 UTC.
Cross-references within the prescription are not resolved automatically.
Regulatory Stack
The layers of regulation that govern this clause, from the FAR prescription through agency-specific supplements and any active deviations.
RFO
RFO Version
Overhauled clause text
The Revolutionary FAR Overhaul publishes a revised version of this clause. See the RFO Version tab for the controlling authority under the RFO model.
FAR
FAR Prescription
17.208(c)
(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.
(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.
DFARS
DFARS Supplement (eCFR)
217.208
Sealed bid solicitations shall not include provisions for evaluations of options unless the contracting officer determines that there is a reasonable likelihood that the options will be exercised (10 U.S.C. 3206(e)). This limitation also applies to sealed bid solicitations for the contracts excluded by FAR 17.200.
Version History
Version history is sourced from the codified eCFR. Changes published only as class deviations or by the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul do not appear here until they are incorporated into the eCFR. For RFO-driven changes see the RFO Version tab and any active deviations cited above.
No version history available from eCFR.
RFO Version
Comparison of the codified eCFR text against the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul revision. Highlights show additions (green) and deletions (red, struck through).
Clause Text
Substantive changes. The RFO version differs materially from the eCFR text.
eCFR (codified)
RFO (implemented)
Unchanged
52.217-5 Evaluation of Options.
eCFR (codified)
RFO (implemented)
1 added, 1 removed
As prescribed in 17.208(c), insert a provision substantially the same as the following:
As prescribed in 17.203(c), insert a provision substantially the same as the following:
2 added, 2 removed
Evaluation of Options (JUL 1990)
Evaluation of Options (Deviation Date)
2 added, 2 removed
Except when it is determined in accordance with FAR 17.206(b) not to be in the Government's best interests, the Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. Evaluation of options will not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).
Except when it is determined in accordance with FAR 17.202(b) not to be in the Government’s best interests, the Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. Evaluation of options will not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).
21 removed
[53 FR 17860, May 18, 1988, as amended at 55 FR 25532, June 21, 1990; 69 FR 59704, Oct. 5, 2004]
Prescription
Substantive changes. The RFO prescription differs materially from the eCFR prescription.
eCFR (codified)
RFO (implemented)
Unchanged
52.217-5 Evaluation of Options.: Prescription
eCFR (codified)
RFO (implemented)
51 added, 9 removed
(c)
(c) Insert a provision substantially the same as the provision at 52.217-5, Evaluation of Options, in solicitations when-
(c)
(a) In contracting by sealed bidding or negotiation, the contracting officer may add options to contracts when beneficial to the Government, within the limitations in paragraphs (b) and (c). For sealed bidding, before including the provision at 52.217-5, Evaluation of Options, the contracting officer must document in writing that there is a probability that the Government will exercise the options.
7 removed
(1)
(1) The solicitation contains an option clause;
(1)
14 removed
(2)
(2) An option is not to be exercised at the time of contract award;
(2)
23 removed
(3)
(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
(3)
27 removed
(4)
(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.
(4)
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