FAR 52.243-1 — Changes — Fixed-Price
Authorizes the contracting officer to make unilateral changes within the general scope of the contract — and requires the contractor to perform as changed, subject to equitable adjustment.
When This Clause Applies
Required in fixed-price contracts (other than commercial items, which use FAR 52.212-4 Changes).
What This Means for Contractors
Contractor must perform per the change and may submit an equitable adjustment claim for cost and time impact. Out-of-scope changes are 'cardinal changes' and constitute breach — the contractor may refuse to perform. The 30-day notice requirement for asserting impact is critical.
Common Pitfalls
- 1Performing without protest, then trying to assert constructive change later (waiver risk)
- 2Missing the 30-day window to assert equitable adjustment
- 3Failing to distinguish in-scope changes (must perform) from cardinal changes (may refuse)
- 4Inadequate documentation of cost and schedule impact
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