(a) A grant recipient must comply with all grants management regulations, including specific regulations applicable to transactions in excess of the current simplified acquisition threshold, cost principles, and its own procurement procedures, and must provide, to the maximum extent practical, open and full competition.

(b) A grant recipient must obtain the responsible HHS official’s written approval before it uses Head Start funds, in whole or in part, to contract construction or renovation services. The grant recipient must ensure these contracts are paid on a lump sum fixed-price basis.

(c) A grant recipient must obtain prior written approval from the responsible HHS official for contract modifications that would change the scope or objective of a project or would materially alter the costs, by increasing the amount of grant funds needed to complete the project.

(d) A grant recipient must ensure all construction and renovation contracts paid, in whole or in part with Head Start funds contain a clause that gives the responsible HHS official or his or her designee access to the facility, at all reasonable times, during construction and inspection.