Initiation of negotiations,
Initiation of negotiations, unless a different action is specified in applicable Federal program regulations, means the following:
(i) Whenever the displacement results from the acquisition of the real property by a Federal agency or State agency, the term means the delivery of the initial written offer of just compensation by the agency to the owner or the owner's representative to purchase the real property for the project. However, if the Federal agency or State agency issues a notice of its intent to acquire, rehabilitate, or demolish the real property, and a person moves after that notice, but before delivery of the initial written purchase offer, the term means the actual move of the person from the property.
(ii) Whenever the displacement is caused by rehabilitation, demolition, or privately undertaken acquisition of the real property (and there is no related acquisition by a Federal agency or a State agency), the term means the notice to the person that he or she will be displaced by the project or, if there is no notice, the actual move of the person from the property.
(iii) In the case of a permanent relocation to protect the public health and welfare, under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (Pub. L. 96-510, or Superfund), the term means the formal announcement of such relocation or the Federal or federally-coordinated health advisory where the Federal Government later decides to conduct a permanent relocation.
(iv) In the case of permanent relocation of a tenant as a result of a voluntary-acquisition of real property described in ยง 24.101(b)(1) the tenant is not eligible for relocation assistance under this part, until there is a binding written agreement between the agency and the owner that obligates the agency, without further election, to purchase the real property. (See appendix A to this part, section 24.2(a).) Agreements such as options to purchase and conditional purchase and sale agreements are not considered a binding agreement within the meaning of this part unless such agreements satisfy the requirements of the Federal agency providing the Federal financial assistance or until all conditions to the agency's obligation to purchase the real property have been satisfied.
Source
49 CFR § 24.2
Scoping language
Definitions. Unless otherwise noted, the following terms used in this part shall be understood as defined in this section: