FAR 47.207-2—Duration of contract and time of performance.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 47.207-2 tells the contracting officer how to write the contract’s duration and performance timing terms for transportation and related service contracts. It covers two main subjects: first, how to state the contract period itself by using either a specific expiration date or a fixed length of time from award; and second, how to spell out the time requirements for the services being bought. The timing requirements vary depending on whether the work is a one-time job, a major job with multiple phases, or recurring services such as pickup and delivery. For recurring services, the section requires the contract to identify the days and hours service may be needed, the maximum delivery time allowed under regular or priority service, and the advance notice the contractor will receive for pickups. In practice, this section exists to remove ambiguity, support realistic pricing and scheduling, and prevent disputes over when performance is due or whether the contractor met the required service window.
Key Rules
State the contract term clearly
The contracting officer must either give a specific expiration date for the contract or state the length of time the contract will remain in effect. The contract should not leave the period of performance vague, because the parties need a clear end point or duration for administration and enforcement.
Define one-time service periods
If the requirement is a one-time job, the contract must state the time period during which the service is required. This is meant for discrete work such as a routine office relocation, where the contractor needs to know the window for completing the job.
Schedule major job phases
If the work is a major job with multiple segments, the contract should include a time schedule for performance of each segment. This helps coordinate phased work with agency needs and other related activities.
Set service timing for recurring work
For particular recurring services, the contract must state the performance times that apply. This is especially important for services like pickup and delivery, where timing affects operations and service levels.
Specify pickup and delivery details
When pickup and delivery services are involved, the contract must identify the days of the week and hours when service may be required, the maximum time allowed for delivery under regular or priority service, and the amount of advance notice the contractor will receive for regular pickup and, if applicable, priority pickup.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Draft the contract so the duration is unambiguous, using either a fixed expiration date or a stated length of performance. Also include the appropriate timing details for one-time jobs, phased major jobs, or recurring services, and make sure pickup and delivery requirements are specific enough to be enforceable.
Contractor
Review the stated contract term and performance windows carefully and plan staffing, equipment, routing, and scheduling to meet the required dates, hours, notice periods, and delivery times. The contractor must perform within the timing terms written into the contract.
Agency/Customer Activity
Provide the operational information needed to define realistic service timing, such as when services are needed, how phases must be coordinated, and what pickup/delivery windows or notice periods are required. The agency should ensure the timing terms match actual mission needs.
Practical Implications
This section is about avoiding ambiguity: if the contract does not clearly state when it starts, ends, and when each service must occur, disputes are much more likely.
Contractors need these timing details to price correctly and schedule resources; vague timing can lead to underbidding, missed service windows, or claims of nonperformance.
For recurring transportation-type services, the specific requirements on days, hours, delivery times, and advance notice are critical operational terms, not minor administrative details.
A common pitfall is treating a complex, phased job like a simple one-time service and failing to include a workable schedule for each segment.
Another frequent issue is giving timing terms that are too general to enforce, such as saying service is needed 'as required' without defining the service window, notice period, or maximum delivery time.
Official Regulatory Text
The contracting officer shall- (a) Establish a specific expiration date (month, day, and year) for the contract or state the length of time that the contract will remain in effect; e.g., 6 months commencing from the date of award; and (b) Include the following items as appropriate: (1) A statement of the time period during which the service is required when the service is a one-time job; e.g., a routine office relocation. (2) A time schedule for the performance of segments of a major job; e.g., an office relocation for which the work phases must be coordinated to meet other needs of the agency. (3) Statements of performance times for particular services; e.g., pickup and delivery services. Specify- (i) On which days of the week and during which hours of the day pickup and delivery services may be required; (ii) The maximum time allowable to the contractor for accomplishing delivery under regular or priority service; and (iii) How much advance notice the contractor will be given for regular pickup services and, if applicable, priority pickup services.