Getting Paid for Changes: A Contractor's Guide to Requests for Equitable Adjustment
The Changes clause lets the government change your contract without your consent — but it also entitles you to recover the cost of the change. This course covers what you need to know, as a contractor, to make sure you're paid fairly.
This course starts with the Changes clause itself — what it lets the government do, and the different versions of it by contract type (from fixed-price to cost-reimbursement to time-and-materials) each with its own rules.
Next, we cover the types of changes: directed changes, constructive changes (where the government's conduct changes your work without a formal change order), and cardinal changes (where a change exceeds the scope so far that it is no longer enforceable). We cover your obligations when a change occurs: the duty to notify, the deadline to assert your rights, and the requirement to keep working while the matter is resolved.
We then cover the request for equitable adjustment (REA) and the two things it must prove: entitlement (that you are owed an adjustment) and quantum (how much).
We also cover the REA versus a claim, when certification is required, and the False Claims Act risk that comes with a padded or speculative request. Finally, we cover how to navigate RFO FAR Part 43, its Practitioner Album, and the FAR Companion, so you can find the current requirements yourself as the regulations change.
This course was created by Melinda Milheim, JD — who brings a law degree, MBA studies, and experience gained working on over $7.7 billion in government contracts at DoD/DoW and HHS to the classroom to help contractors understand how to protect their companies. As an award-winning instructor who has taught government contracting and Federal Acquisition Law to more than 1,000 federal acquisition workforce students from over 20 government agencies, she has an in-depth understanding of what it takes to put together a strong REA.
This course is educational and is not legal advice. It is designed to help you understand the process and build a stronger request on your own; it does not create an attorney-client relationship or substitute for advice about your specific situation.
Best for: federal contractors, program and project managers, contract administrators, and business owners who want to recognize contract changes, build a strong request for equitable adjustment, and make sure they're paid fairly when the work changes.
Format: Available as a one-day course, delivered in person or virtually. Many private organizations maintain their own annual continuing-education requirements, and a company may, at its discretion, recognize this course toward them.
Pricing is set per engagement. Contact Phoenix Canyon to request a quote.
The Changes clause lets the government change your contract without your consent — but it also entitles you to recover the cost of the change. This course covers what you need to know, as a contractor, to make sure you're paid fairly.
This course starts with the Changes clause itself — what it lets the government do, and the different versions of it by contract type (from fixed-price to cost-reimbursement to time-and-materials) each with its own rules.
Next, we cover the types of changes: directed changes, constructive changes (where the government's conduct changes your work without a formal change order), and cardinal changes (where a change exceeds the scope so far that it is no longer enforceable). We cover your obligations when a change occurs: the duty to notify, the deadline to assert your rights, and the requirement to keep working while the matter is resolved.
We then cover the request for equitable adjustment (REA) and the two things it must prove: entitlement (that you are owed an adjustment) and quantum (how much).
We also cover the REA versus a claim, when certification is required, and the False Claims Act risk that comes with a padded or speculative request. Finally, we cover how to navigate RFO FAR Part 43, its Practitioner Album, and the FAR Companion, so you can find the current requirements yourself as the regulations change.
This course was created by Melinda Milheim, JD — who brings a law degree, MBA studies, and experience gained working on over $7.7 billion in government contracts at DoD/DoW and HHS to the classroom to help contractors understand how to protect their companies. As an award-winning instructor who has taught government contracting and Federal Acquisition Law to more than 1,000 federal acquisition workforce students from over 20 government agencies, she has an in-depth understanding of what it takes to put together a strong REA.
This course is educational and is not legal advice. It is designed to help you understand the process and build a stronger request on your own; it does not create an attorney-client relationship or substitute for advice about your specific situation.
Best for: federal contractors, program and project managers, contract administrators, and business owners who want to recognize contract changes, build a strong request for equitable adjustment, and make sure they're paid fairly when the work changes.
Format: Available as a one-day course, delivered in person or virtually. Many private organizations maintain their own annual continuing-education requirements, and a company may, at its discretion, recognize this course toward them.
Pricing is set per engagement. Contact Phoenix Canyon to request a quote.