pLEASE VERIFY THE ANSWER

1.Provided you meet the stated limitations, are you authorized to exercise the second option period using a unilateral modification to the contract?

Yes.

2. In accordance with the contract terms and conditions, what is the deadline for you to provide the contractor your written intention to exercise the option?

Contracting officer must provide written notice to the contractor within the time period of specified in the contract. In addition, Contract modification or written documentation the notifies the contractor of the exercise of the option must cite the option clause. FAR 17.207

3. What must you include as the authority for the action in your contract modification executing the exercise of the option?

Must justify in writing the quantities or the term under option, notification period for excersining the option and any limitation on the option price included in the solicitation that requires options to be offered at prices no higher than those for the initial requirement. A written notice, Mod cite option clause written determination.

4. If market research had revealed that a shortage of qualified labor would have resulted in the contractor experiencing unacceptable risk in proposing prices beyond the base period of performance, would you have been able to include options in the fish counting solicitation and resulting contract?

No, because it will incur undue risk. The labor is not reasonably forseeable. A shortage of labor can be a risk and the price can differ

5. The requirements owner has just informed you they do not currently have a need for the fish counting services, but anticipate the services will likely be required again in July 2021.They would like to exercise the second option now so that a new contract does not have to be competed and awarded if the requirement materializes in July 2021.Can you exercise the second option period for contract DWNA1219C4306?

No. Option may not be used in service contracts because there is no expected need currently. The requirement cover by the option does not fulfill current government need.