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Subcontract for Commercial Items - changes


CO1559

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A cost reimbursement prime contractor issues a fixed price services subcontract on the basis of commercial items. The price proposal was a list of estimated costs by type of service. The following changes clause is included in the subcontract: “Changes in the terms and conditions of this contract may be made only by written agreement of the parties.” (FAR 52.212-4 is not included)

 

Mid way through performance, subcontractor submits a revised price proposal. In response, the prime issued a modification increasing the fixed price IAW the revised proposal. There is no cost analysis and no mention of invoking the changes clause. However, the bilateral modification stated: “authorizes additional $X,XXX to cover costs of additional lodging, per diem and taxes for XX additional participants.”

 

At end of performance, subcontractor submits a final list of incurred cost. The prime issues a modification increasing the price to align with the final incurred cost. The subcontractor does not have an approved accounting system.

 

Is it correct to question the value of the aforementioned price increases?

Is it correct to characterize this situation as converting a fixed price contract to a cost reimbursement type?

Thank you!

 

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Is there a clause in the subcontract that authorized the sub to submit the initial modification request?  Similarly, was there a clause in the subcontract requiring or authorizing the sub to submit the final list of incurred cost and for the prime to pay the sub in accordance with that list?

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So just thinking out loud…..

You have not specified if the original contract had one CLIN in a lump sum or multiple CLINS for the different elements of the service.    Just noting but I am not sure it matters with regard to how I see this.

Also not sure if you are asking as the prime, the sub or the Government, again for me it probably does not matter but for others it might.

You ask –

 

18 hours ago, CO1559 said:

Is it correct to question the value of the aforementioned price increases?

Questioning after the fact if you are the prime does not make any sense if the work was already agreed to and added.  If you are the Government sure it is okay to question the costs your prime and its sub incurred as to allowable and allocable.

You also ask –

 

18 hours ago, CO1559 said:

Is it correct to characterize this situation as converting a fixed price contract to a cost reimbursement type?

Not for me.  It was simply a renegotiation of the fixed price.

 It seems your question revolves around the fact of a prime allowing a sub to change its contract pricing during contract performance and the need to have a specific clause to do so.  Contract terms and conditions are in a contract to help address unanticipated issues that might occur (need to direct a change in contract, differing site condition, increase in DOL wage rates, etc.) and/or to give direction to a contractor on how to deal with a particular matter (EEO, cooperation with other contractors, using GFP, etc.).  However  it is my view, that I believe is supported by courts, with regard to any contract arrangement whether between private entities or in the Government that the contract can be changed without the need of a specific term or condition to allow if both parties agree the change is necessary.  In Government contracting there are issues of scope etc. that may come into play but not sure scope matters in private industry.

 

 

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19 hours ago, CO1559 said:

A cost reimbursement prime contractor issues a fixed price services subcontract on the basis of commercial items. The price proposal was a list of estimated costs by type of service. The following changes clause is included in the subcontract: “Changes in the terms and conditions of this contract may be made only by written agreement of the parties.” (FAR 52.212-4 is not included)

 

Mid way through performance, subcontractor submits a revised price proposal. In response, the prime issued a modification increasing the fixed price IAW the revised proposal. There is no cost analysis and no mention of invoking the changes clause. However, the bilateral modification stated: “authorizes additional $X,XXX to cover costs of additional lodging, per diem and taxes for XX additional participants.”

 

At end of performance, subcontractor submits a final list of incurred cost. The prime issues a modification increasing the price to align with the final incurred cost. The subcontractor does not have an approved accounting system.

 

Is it correct to question the value of the aforementioned price increases?

Is it correct to characterize this situation as converting a fixed price contract to a cost reimbursement type?

Thank you!

 

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Is it correct to question the value of the aforementioned price increases?

 

Yes, it may be appropriate to question the value of the price increase.  See  FAR 31.201-3 (a) -- Determining Reasonableness.

Quote

...No presumption of reasonableness shall be attached to the incurrence of costs by a contractor. If an initial review of the facts results in a challenge of a specific cost by the contracting officer or the contracting officer’s representative, the burden of proof shall be upon the contractor to establish that such cost is reasonable.. 

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Is it correct to characterize this situation as converting a fixed price contract to a cost reimbursement type?

How do you know it was a "fixed price contract" ?  What kind of "fixed price (sub)contract is it?  In addition to FFP, a fixed price incentive arrangement is a form of fixed price contract.   You said, "The price proposal was a list of estimated costs by type of service." That doesn't appear to be a proposal for a FFP (sub)contract.

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2 hours ago, C Culham said:

You have not specified if the original contract had one CLIN in a lump sum or multiple CLINS for the different elements of the service.    Just noting but I am not sure it matters with regard to how I see this.

Also not sure if you are asking as the prime, the sub or the Government, again for me it probably does not matter but for others it might.

Thank you C. There are no CLINs; I am working on behalf of the Government. The subcontract contains a changes clause. It was not invoked, nor was it documented.

1 hour ago, joel hoffman said:

Yes, it may be appropriate to question the value of the price increase.  See  FAR 31.201-3 (a) -- Determining Reasonableness.

Thank you Joel, I agree.

1 hour ago, joel hoffman said:

How do you know it was a "fixed price contract" ?  What kind of "fixed price (sub)contract is it?  In addition to FFP, a fixed price incentive arrangement is a form of fixed price contract.   You said, "The price proposal was a list of estimated costs by type of service." That doesn't appear to be a proposal for a FFP (sub)contract

Thank you Joel. The contractor's acquisition policies and procedures define contract types. This one is a firm fixed price contract for commercial items. There is no quantity variation clause, there is no documentation of a change order, nor was the clause invoked. I have no problem with the contractor providing a list of services and respective costs, or a single dollar amount; this FFP subcontract was competed.

 

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I recommend, based upon your concerns,  that you place the burden of proof on the Contractor to justify the additional cost to the government - before allowing it and preferably before paying it.

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CO1559, the reasonableness cost principle would apply at the prime contract level because it is a cost reimbursement contract.  Therefore, all costs incurred by the prime must be reasonable.  On the other hand, if the subcontract is a fixed price subcontract as you have indicated, the cost principles do not apply to what the sub is entitled to be paid by the prime.  Moreover, the government does not have the right to audit the costs incurred under such a subcontract.  See FAR 52.215-2.

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Guest Vern Edwards
1 hour ago, Retreadfed said:

Therefore, all costs incurred by the prime must be reasonable. 

Not really. All costs for which the prime wants to be reimbursed must be reasonable, but if the prime is willing to absorb the difference between a reasonable amount and the cost actually incurred, it is free to do so.

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Let me see if I've got this right.

1. Prime issues aFFP SubK for commercial services that includes an amount for travel.

2. SubK says more people travelling than bid. Prime agrees to a price increase associated with additional travellers.

3. After travel, SubK says travel costs were higher than anticipated. SubK wants to be paid for actual travel costs, which may include unallowable costs because SubK doesn't have an adequate accounting system.

The question is which, if any, price increases should be permitted and whether the second Mod request converted the FFP SubK into a cost reimbursable SubK.

If I've parsed the situation correctly I think the first Mod is legit but not the second, because the second request was based on actual costs incurred.

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2 hours ago, Retreadfed said:

Moreover, the government does not have the right to audit the costs incurred under such a subcontract.  See FAR 52.215-2.

Thank you Retreadfed. The audit is of the prime contractor's contract administration, not the subcontractor's cost. For Wifcon I just provided a simple summary of what I found in the subcontract file; looks bad to me, and now I know that it doesn't look good to the prime contractor. As Joel mentioned above, put the onus on the prime. 

19 minutes ago, here_2_help said:

I think the first Mod is legit but not the second, because the second request was based on actual costs incurred.

Thanks for the feedback here-to-help; and all others.

 

 

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37 minutes ago, Retreadfed said:

CO, what do you mean when you say "the audit is of the prime contractor's contract administration"?

Just guessing but how about an audit pursuant to FAR Clause 52.216-7, Allowable Cost and Payment?

...(g) Audit. At any time or times before final payment, the Contracting Officer may have the Contractor’s invoices or vouchers and statements of cost audited. Any payment may be --

(1) Reduced by amounts found by the Contracting Officer not to constitute allowable costs; or

(2) Adjusted for prior overpayments or underpayments.

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Guest Vern Edwards
On 7/22/2017 at 11:12 AM, CO1559 said:

A cost reimbursement prime contractor issues a fixed price services subcontract on the basis of commercial items. The price proposal was a list of estimated costs by type of service. The following changes clause is included in the subcontract: “Changes in the terms and conditions of this contract may be made only by written agreement of the parties.” (FAR 52.212-4 is not included)

 

Mid way through performance, subcontractor submits a revised price proposal. In response, the prime issued a modification increasing the fixed price IAW the revised proposal. There is no cost analysis and no mention of invoking the changes clause. However, the bilateral modification stated: “authorizes additional $X,XXX to cover costs of additional lodging, per diem and taxes for XX additional participants.”

 

At end of performance, subcontractor submits a final list of incurred cost. The prime issues a modification increasing the price to align with the final incurred cost. The subcontractor does not have an approved accounting system.

 

Is it correct to question the value of the aforementioned price increases?

Is it correct to characterize this situation as converting a fixed price contract to a cost reimbursement type?

Thank you!

 

That all strikes me as typical business conduct. It does not accord with the formalities and proprieties so often expected by Government employees, so it mystifies and confuses them. They reach for their FAR and get further mystified and confused.

An experienced hand would have answered CO1559's questions simply and directly:

Is it correct to question the price increases? Sure, if you want to, and if it's a lot of money, why not? Ask them about it. See what they say. If their story makes sense and if the money seems okay, then reimburse them and move on. Otherwise, refuse to pay and see what they do.

Does the situation convert a fixed-price contract to a cost-reimbursement contract? Of course not.

Case closed. But this is a Wifcon thread, and so it goes on and on and...

What are we teaching the kids?

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"What are we teaching the kids?"

A basic principle concerning the presumption of reasonableness, thus possibly affecting the allowabilty of incurred costs, backed up by a reference. You have chided many here before for not providing backup for "simple and direct answers" that are stated as opinions😜

 

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Vern I don't agree with you.

A prime contractor awarded a subcontract. In order to avoid scrutiny and the need to perform cost analysis, it declared the subcontract to be a FFP commercial item. Subsequently the subcontractor wanted to be treated differently and be reimbursed for actual costs incurred. I dont believe that behavior should be condoned.

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1 hour ago, Retreadfed said:

H2H, is it your position that the description of an FFP in FAR Part 16 governs how a prime contractor labels or characterizes a subcontract?

That's not the basis of my position. My position is that if the prime wants the benefits associated with a commercial item award then it must consistently treat that award as a commercial item. Last time I checked the FAR didn't permit cost type commercial item awards. If I'm wrong on that point then I will agree with Vern.

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Guest Vern Edwards
3 hours ago, here_2_help said:

A prime contractor awarded a subcontract. In order to avoid scrutiny and the need to perform cost analysis, it declared the subcontract to be a FFP commercial item. Subsequently the subcontractor wanted to be treated differently and be reimbursed for actual costs incurred. I dont believe that behavior should be condoned.

help: You don't know any of that to be the case! A prime and a sub conducted some loosey goosey transactions, rather typical in my experience as a businessman (I wish I could tell you about some of the transactions government and industry have asked me to undertake for the sake of their convenience). A knowledgeable CO would call the contractor and say, "What the hell was all that about?" listen to the explanation and perhaps ask that it be put in writing. The cost is not necessarily unallowable because it was not incurred in a manner consistent with ordinary practice.

CO1559 appears to know about the tests or allowability in FAR Part 31. Therefore, the answer to his question is: Question the cost if you doubt its allowability on any of the five grounds, listen to the prime's explanation, then make a <bleep> decision.

25 minutes ago, here_2_help said:

Last time I checked the FAR didn't permit cost type commercial item awards. If I'm wrong on that point then I will agree with Vern.

help: As for the FAR permitting cost-type commercial awards, the last time I checked, the rules in FAR Part 12 about the terms of government prime contracts for commercial items did not apply to contractor subcontracts. Has anything changed? What prohibits a prime contractor from awarding a contract for a commercial item on a cost-reimbursement basis? What in FAR 12.207 says anything about subcontracts?

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I will concede that the FAR is not applicable to contractors unless incorporated into a clause. That said, contractors may still have to pass a CPSR and or submit a subcontract for advance consent. I have never seen nor heard of a cost type commercial item services subcontract that passes government o eyesight scrutiny. But I am forced to concede that the regulatory basis for disapproving such a subcontract would be weak. Assuming there was a prime contractor willing to litigate that point.

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Guest Vern Edwards

There are no grounds for disapproving a subcontract for commercial items merely because it is cost-type. Cost-type contracts are used in the commercial world.

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1 hour ago, Vern Edwards said:

help: You don't know any of that to be the case! A prime and a sub conducted some loosey goosey transactions, rather typical in my experience as a businessman (I wish I could tell you about some of the transactions government and industry have asked me to undertake for the sake of their convenience). A knowledgeable CO would call the contractor and say, "What the hell was all that about?" listen to the explanation and perhaps ask that it be put in writing. The cost is not necessarily unallowable because it was not incurred in a manner consistent with ordinary practice.

CO1559 appears to know about the tests or allowability in FAR Part 31. Therefore, the answer to his question is: Question the cost if you doubt its allowability on any of the five grounds, listen to the prime's explanation, then make a <bleep> decision.

help: As for the FAR permitting cost-type commercial awards, the last time I checked, the rules in FAR Part 12 about the terms of government prime contracts for commercial items did not apply to contractor subcontracts. Has anything changed? What prohibits a prime contractor from awarding a contract for a commercial item on a cost-reimbursement basis? What in FAR 12.207 says anything about subcontracts?

So, is the government acquiring commercial items?  If so, FAR 12.207 would seemingly apply.  

Can the prime/sub pick and choose which terms of commercial item contracting would apply to the acquisition?  No need for cost or pricing data or  many other inapplicable requirements but - oh, lets switch from FFP to Cost Reimbursement, as we wish?  That doesn't make sense to me. 

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The Prime Contract includes a clause that states: "The Contractor shall maintain file documentation which is appropriate to the value of the purchase and is adequate to establish the propriety of the transaction and the price paid."

Sorry that I did not bring that up before; thanks all for the input.

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