7 CFR §1753.11

1. (a)The borrower must obtain RUS approval before execution of any amendment to a contract if
   1. (1)The amendment alters the terms and conditions of the contract or changes the scope of the project covered by the contract regardless of the amount of the contract before amendment,
   2. (2)The amendment increases the amount to be paid under the contract by 20% or more, or
   3. (3)The amendment causes an unbonded contract to require a contractor's performance bond. This would occur when a contract that is executed in an amount below that requiring a performance bond by 7 CFR part 1788, subpart C, is amended to an amount above that amount.
2. (b)Advance RUS approval to execute other contract amendments is not required. These amendments may be submitted to RUS at any time prior to closeout. If a borrower wishes to receive an advance of funds based on an amended contract amount (i.e., amendments that increase a contract by less than 20%), the borrower may initiate an increase in the amount approved for advance by submitting three copies of the amendment to RUS for approval.
3. (c)For each amendment executed, the borrower shall make certain that:
   1. (1)The contractor's bond covers the additional work to be performed. If the amendment by itself (or together with preceding amendments) increases the original contract price by 20% or more, a bond extension will be required to bring the penal sum of the bond to the total amended contract price.
   2. (2)If an amendment covers construction in a county or state not included in the original contract, the borrower and contractor are licensed to do business in that location.
4. (d)Upon execution of any amendment that causes the amended contract amount to exceed the original contract amount by 20% or more, three copies of the amendment shall be submitted to RUS for approval.