52.236-14 Availability and Use of Utility Services
Source: FAR 52.236-14 on acquisition.gov
Contractors on fixed-price construction or demolition contracts at Government sites must pay for and manage their own utility connections, usage, and removal, unless otherwise specified in the contract.
Overview
FAR 52.236-14 outlines the requirements for the availability and use of utility services on Government sites for fixed-price construction, dismantling, demolition, or removal contracts. The clause ensures that contractors have access to necessary utilities, specifies payment obligations, and details responsibilities for temporary utility connections and removal upon project completion. The contracting officer must list available utilities in the contract, and contractors are responsible for installation, maintenance, and removal of temporary utility infrastructure, as well as for paying for utilities unless otherwise specified.
Key Rules
- Provision of Utilities
- The Government will provide utilities from existing sources as specified in the contract, in amounts reasonably required for the work.
- Payment for Utilities
- Contractors must pay for utilities at prevailing Government rates unless the contract states otherwise; utilities provided free must be conserved.
- Temporary Connections and Meters
- Contractors must install, maintain, and later remove all temporary utility connections, distribution lines, and meters at their own expense and to the satisfaction of the Contracting Officer.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: List available utilities in the contract and determine reasonable rates for Government-produced utilities.
- Contractors: Pay for utilities, conserve any free utilities, install and remove temporary connections and meters, and ensure all work is satisfactory to the Contracting Officer.
- Agencies: Oversee compliance and ensure proper listing and charging of utilities.
Practical Implications
This clause clarifies utility access and payment responsibilities for contractors working on Government sites, helping avoid disputes over utility costs and infrastructure. Contractors must plan for utility expenses, ensure proper installation and removal of temporary systems, and maintain good communication with the Contracting Officer to ensure compliance and avoid project delays or additional costs.
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)