Government Contracting Database
Claim Preparation and Consultant Costs
A contractor is not permitted to recover claim preparation costs, but a contractor’s allowable “professional and consultant service costs” under FAR 31.205 – 33 may be recovered. The Boards of Contract Appeals have consistently allowed such costs provided that they are “incidental to contract administration or performance” as part of the direct costs in an equitable adjustment. Appeals of — Raytheon Co., ASBCA No. 57743, 17 – 1 BCA ¶ 36724. Therefore, the cost of a consultant who assists a contractor to convince the contracting officer that additional work was required to meet the specifications may be recovered as part of a change order.
Updated: July 24, 2018
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