A contractor’s performance of extra work outside the scope of the contract may go uncompensated if a contractor does not receive appropriate authorization in accordance with the contractual terms.

A Court of Federal Claims decision reinforced that a contractor should only perform work required under the terms of the federal contract or directed by an authorized government agent in accordance with the contractual terms. And importantly, a Contracting Officer’s Representative isn’t always authorized to order additional work – even if that person acts as though he or she has such authority.

The Court’s decision in Baistar Mechanical, Inc., v. United States, No. 15-1473C (2016) involved a ground maintenance and snow removal services contract for the Armed Forces Retirement Home’s property in Washington, D.C., which included 270-acre property providing residence to several hundred retired military members. Baistar successfully bid on and was awarded the contract, which was executed in December 2011. The contract contemplated a five-year period of performance beginning on December 16, 2011.

Keep reading this article at: http://smallgovcon.com/u-s-court-of-federal-claims/cors-werent-authorized-to-order-additional-work-so-contractor-goes-unpaid/