Low RiskFARconstruction

52.236-14Availability and Use of Utility Services.

Researched by the BidStride Research Team

What This Clause Requires

FAR 52.236-14 — Availability and Use of Utility Services.. This clause is part of the Federal Acquisition Regulation and may be included in government contracts as a solicitation provision or contract clause.

Official Regulation Text

52.236-14 Availability and Use of Utility Services. As prescribed in 36.514, insert the following clause in solicitations and contracts when a fixed-price construction contract or a fixed-price dismantling, demolition, or removal of improvements contract is contemplated, the contract is to be performed on Government sites when the contracting officer decides (a) that the existing utility system is adequate for the needs of both the Government and the contractor, and (b) furnishing it is in the Government's interest. When this clause is used, the contracting officer shall list the available utilities in the contract. Availability and Use of Utility Services (APR 1984) (a) The Government shall make all reasonably required amounts of utilities available to the Contractor from existing outlets and supplies, as specified in the contract. Unless otherwise provided in the contract, the amount of each utility service consumed shall be charged to or paid for by the Contractor at prevailing rates charged to the Government or, where the utility is produced by the Government, at reasonable rates determined by the Contracting Officer. The Contractor shall carefully conserve any utilities furnished without charge. (b) The Contractor, at its expense and in a workmanlike manner satisfactory to the Contracting Officer, shall install and maintain all necessary temporary connections and distribution lines, and all meters required to measure the amount of each utility used for the purpose of determining charges. Before final acceptance of the work by the Government, the Contractor shall remove all the temporary connections, distribution lines, meters, and associated paraphernalia. (End of clause)

Source: eCFR, 48 CFR 52.236-14 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-48/section-52.236-14)

Compliance Checklist

  • When this clause is used, the contracting officer shall list the available utilities in the contract.
  • Availability and Use of Utility Services (APR 1984) (a) The Government shall make all reasonably required amounts of utilities available to the Contractor from existing outlets and supplies, as specified in the contract.
  • Unless otherwise provided in the contract, the amount of each utility service consumed shall be charged to or paid for by the Contractor at prevailing rates charged to the Government or, where the utility is produced by the Government, at reasonable rates determined by the Contracting Officer.
  • The Contractor shall carefully conserve any utilities furnished without charge.
  • (b) The Contractor, at its expense and in a workmanlike manner satisfactory to the Contracting Officer, shall install and maintain all necessary temporary connections and distribution lines, and all meters required to measure the amount of each utility used for the purpose of determining charges.
  • Before final acceptance of the work by the Government, the Contractor shall remove all the temporary connections, distribution lines, meters, and associated paraphernalia.

Flow-Down to Subcontractors

No flow-down required

This clause applies only to the prime contract and does not need to be flowed down to subcontractors.

Frequently Asked Questions

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This summary is for informational purposes only and reflects the BidStride Research Team's plain-English interpretation of the regulation. It is not legal advice and does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. Always consult the official Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) or Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) text and qualified legal counsel for compliance decisions.