(a) When it appears that funds may be insufficient for all the desired features of construction, the contracting officer may provide in the solicitation for a base bid item covering the work as specified and for one or more additive or deductive bid items which progressively add or omit specified features of the work in a stated order of priority.

(b) In the alternative, the contracting officer may use the policies and procedures found in FAR 17.2, Options.

The HCA is authorized to approve a contract to construct a project, in whole or in part, to the firm that designed the project (inclusive of its subsidiaries or affiliates).

The authority to waive a presolicitation notice on any construction requirement when the proposed contract is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold is restricted to the HCA.

This subpart prescribes clauses for insertion in USDA solicitations and contracts for construction and for dismantling, demolition, or removal of improvements or structures. The contracting officer shall use the clauses as prescribed in contracts that exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. The contracting officer may use the clauses if the contract amount is expected to be at or below the simplified acquisition threshold.

The contracting officer shall insert the clause at AGAR 452.236-70, Emergency Response, Fire Suppression and Liability, in Integrated Resource Service Contracts (IRSCs) awarded for the Forest Service. The clause AGAR 452.236-70, Emergency Response, Fire Suppression and Liability, is optional for non-IRSCs.

The Mission Area senior contracting official is authorized to approve the use of design competition under the conditions in FAR 36.602-1(b).

The Mission Area senior contracting official shall establish written procedures for providing permanent or ad hoc architect-engineer evaluation boards as prescribed in FAR 36.602-2.

The Mission Area senior contracting official may include either or both procedures in FAR 36.602-5(a) and (b) in the procedures for evaluation boards.

Mission Area senior contracting officials for Mission Areas that require architect-engineer services shall establish procedures to comply with the requirements of FAR 36.603.

(a) Should the HCA appoint a designee to make the determination in FAR 36.609-1(c)(1), the appointment may be to one no lower than the official authorized to commit program funds for the work being acquired.

(b) The contracting officer, with the advice of appropriate technical representatives, may make the determination in FAR 36.609-1(c)(2) or (3).