Definition of FAR 52.243-1 Request for Equitable Adjustment in Government Contracts

What is the FAR Changes Clause?

The FAR Changes Clause, also known as the Changes clause, is a standard clause included in U.S. federal government contracts. It is prescribed by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and is typically found in contracts awarded to contractors by various federal agencies.

The purpose of the FAR Changes Clause is to allow the government to make certain changes to the contract’s terms, conditions, specifications, or scope of work after the contract has been awarded. The clause provides the government with the authority to issue formal modifications or change orders to the contract in order to accommodate necessary adjustments during the contract performance.

Request for Equitable Adjustment: Key aspects of the FAR Changes Clause include:

1. Changes by the Contracting Officer: The clause states that the contracting officer has the authority to make changes within the general scope of the contract. These changes can include alterations to the specifications, delivery schedules, quantities, methods of shipment, or other contractual requirements.

2. Notice to the Contractor: The government is obligated to provide written notice to the contractor specifying the change, the extent of the change, and any adjustments to the contract price, delivery schedule, or other affected terms. The contractor is required to promptly acknowledge receipt of the change order and indicate its agreement or disagreement with the proposed changes.

3. Equitable Adjustment: If a change ordered by the government affects the cost or time required for contract performance, the FAR Changes Clause allows the contractor to seek an equitable adjustment. The contractor may request compensation for increased costs or time extensions resulting from the change. The process for determining the equitable adjustment is typically governed by other clauses such as the FAR “Changes—Cost Reimbursement” clause or the “Changes—Fixed Price” clause.

4. Contractor Performance Obligations: The contractor is generally expected to proceed with contract performance as directed by the contracting officer, even if there is disagreement regarding the change. However, the contractor may request a suspension of work if the change would have a significant impact on contract performance pending resolution of the issue.

The FAR Changes Clause provides a mechanism for the government to adapt contracts to changing circumstances or requirements during the course of performance. It helps to balance the need for flexibility with the contractor’s entitlement to fair compensation and adjustments when changes are made. Contractors should carefully review the clause and understand its implications when entering into federal government contracts.

Meaning and Definition of Equitable Adjustment – What is it?

What is a FAR request for equitable adjustment in federal procurement? In government contracting, the contracting officer complies with the “equitable definition” and meaning by adjusting the contract requirements or price in accordance with the changes clause. The goal is to make the contractor whole and to compensate it for profit allowances if any. See Government Contracts & Mandatory FAR Flow Down Clauses to Subcontractors   

The FAR does not define a Request for Equitable Adjustment (REA) Acquisition Regulation but only references it. REAs include a contractor’s request for additional compensation or additional time based on relevant contract clauses.  An example of an REA occurs under the Changes clause of the contract or FAR clause for the Differing Site Conditions.  

In government contracts, the FAR definition of equitable adjustment refers to an adjustment that pays you for work that is directed by the agency. When companies choose this route for compensation, there may be statutory confusion between the requirements for a Contract Disputes Act (CDA) claim and the process for the agency to follow in an REA claim.  If you do not properly process each, then litigation can be costly without even getting to the merits of the requested adjustment. Specifically, parties spend tens of thousands of dollars litigating the differences between an REA and a CDA claim. It also applies to work that ultimately increases the cost of the original contract.  The Contracting Officer (CO) should be the only person authorizing the work – no one else.

When you develop a request for equitable adjustment (REA), you are preparing a proposal to the contracting officer (CO) asking for an increase to the overall contract price. The request normally develops from a change in contract requirements. In some situations, the contracting officer may reduce the contract price downwards.

The key is to negotiate a solution with the contracting officer when you. Find an unexpected problem in the contract. Proposing a reasonable price is always a critical aspect of the REA. It is not an opportunity to place the government in a tough situation. Doing so can impact any future relationships.

What happens when you cannot agree?

Oftentimes, the government will believe that the work is covered by the contract. If there is a disagreement, your first option is to prepare and submit a FAR request for equitable adjustment (REA).

At the end of the day if the government does not agree with the contractor and denies the equitable adjustment, then the contractor must submit a certified claim under the Contract Disputes Act. Having an experienced government contracts attorney that understands the REA process could benefit your company.

How to Apply for Request for Equitable Adjustment under FAR REA Rules?

When requesting an equitable adjustment under the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), a contractor should document their claim and show why they are entitled to additional compensation. Depending on the circumstances, there may be statutory or regulatory requirements under the FAR Changes Clause that must be satisfied in order for the contractor to get approval for the request for equitable adjustment. To ensure compliance with applicable regulations, contractors should consult with an experienced REA lawyer.

The contractor must present the REA to the contracting officer, including a detailed explanation of why they are entitled to additional compensation. The contracting officer can either accept or reject the request for equitable adjustment, and the decision may involve negotiation between the two parties. If an agreement is reached, it must be documented in writing and signed by both parties.

Contractors should also consider submitting a Claimant’s Application for Equitable Adjustment under FAR Part 33-7 in order to protect their right to payment if their entitlement is disputed by the government. This form serves as a summary of all relevant information regarding the contractor’s claim, which can then be used in any future dispute resolution process.

Prior to submitting a request for an equitable adjustment, contractors should consider if there was already a written contract that addressed the issue for which they are requesting an adjustment. If so, then it is important to understand how those terms apply and review whether any other conditions or limitations stated in the contract affect one’s eligibility.

Key Points of Your REA

The successful REA will lay out and explain your position as to why the change is not within the four corners of the contract and why the new requirement was not contemplated. May contractors miss this part. A common approach is to point to the specific part of the statement of work and explain why the new change could not have been reasonably anticipated.

When submitting your REA under FAR 52.243-1 you should include as much information and explanation as possible. Explain your rationale for the adjustment so that the contracting officer can reasonably understand the basis for the submission. 

You cannot submit untimely requests for equitable adjustment. Federal contractor should bring the issue to the contracting officer’s attention, in writing, within 30 days of the change giving rise to the REA. 

What happens if your contract does not have a changes clause?

If a federal contract does not have a changes clause included, judges will more than likely may read the changes clause into the contract, pursuant to the Christian Doctrine. even if there is no such clause, contractors should still exercise their rights to an adjustment by informing the contracting officer (preferably in writing) within 30 days. 

Request for Equitable Adjustment vs Claim

Although many contractors mix the terms, the reality is that a request for equitable adjustment is not a claim until such time the contracting officer disagrees (referred to as an impasse) and the contractor then converts the REA into a claim by making sure that it meets all of the requirements of a Contract Disputes Act claim.

• Be aware of COR directing you to perform additional work
• Courts are not sympathetic to contractors who cannot show a clear direction to perform from the contracting officer.

The FAR Adjustment definition in government contracts can also mean a reduction in the overall contract price. Oftentimes, end-users and contracting officer representatives instruct you to do additional work or change the terms and conditions of the Performance Work Statement (PWS). When this occurs you should always seek the permission of the Contracting Officer before proceeding.

What Fees Can You Recoup With an REA? Contractors want to know whether attorney fees or expert costs can be recovered in a request for equitable adjustment. It depends. If allowable, the amounts must be reasonable and  calculated based on reliable principles and methods. When there are complex issues, expert costs could be recoverable.

FAR change order format & allowances for profit: Under the meaning of request for equitable adjustment FAR change order clause allows for payments for profit. If it does not, it should not be considered “equitable adjustment.”

There should be an agreement between you and the government. You always want to try to establish your changed cost upfront because it can put you in a vicarious position at the end where you then have to negotiate with the contracting officer. Find out more about CPARS Ratings, Fapiis Past Performance and Contractor Integrity Data – What Every Federal Government Contractor Needs to Know.

Get buy-in from the contracting officer: By using a “bilateral modification”, both you and the contracting officer should agree to the price upfront. 

• The format should describe why the new work is different from the original contract.
• FAR 52.243-1 the format should also address why the additional work could not have been contemplated.
• Show a causal connection between the scope of work change and the damages you seek.
• Provide as much support as you can.

Is Your REA Under FAR 52.243-1 Formatted as a Claim Under the Contract Disputes Act (CDA)?

This is a question that many government contractors and even attorneys struggle with. The first line of analysis starts with whether there is a dispute. There is an argument to be made that by simply asking the agency to adjust the contract up or down, then the definition of a claim under the Contract Disputes Act is not met. See FAR Cure Notice Response & Show Cause Letter Tips.

However, the question remains whether the contractor can submit an REA with the elements of the Contract Disputes Act still included.  The case of Tri-County Contractors, Inc., ASBCA No. 58167 (Nov. 2012) addresses similar issues where the ASBCA found that a request for equitable adjustment addressed to Contracting Officer and seeking “written response,” accompanied by CDA certification, constituted CDA claim). Submitting a request for equitable adjustment does not automatically constitute a claim under the Contract Disputes Act until such time as the parties reach an impasse (firm disagreement). This is a factual basis that a request for equitable adjustment lawyer should be able to help you with.  The REA itself by operation of law convert to a claim under the CDA, as the Federal Circuit held in Hejran Hejrat Co. Ltd v. United States Army Corps of Engineers, 930 F.3d 1354, 1357 (Fed. Cir. 2019).

Formatting your REA

 Given the Tri-County Contractors, Inc decisions, you may want to consider a habit of submitting your equitable adjustment formatted as the same as a traditional CDA claim. This can be done by enclosing the certification language required under FAR 52.243-1.

Avoid these costly mistakes made by government contractors

• Failure to ask for a specific amount (sum certain). You should ensure that you are asking for a specific sum of money and state the factual basis for the equitable adjustment.
• Articulate the categories of damages you seek and provide supporting documentation.
• Include any legal theories of law that you think should apply. For example, if you believe that the government is breaching the contract, then so state and explain why.
• Lastly, you want to ask for a contracting officer’s final decision.

Need help with the FAR Changes Clause ? If your company needs help with the legal definition of request for equitable adjustment FAR 52.24-13 in government contracts, Contact a government contract and FAR REA attorney for a FREE INITIAL Consultation at 1-866-601-5518.