What must the government determine when changes are made to a contract?

When changes are made to a contract, it is crucial for the government to determine if the change is within scope. This determination ensures that the modifications made to the contract do not exceed the limits established by the original agreement. An essential part of contract management is maintaining clarity on the scope to prevent unauthorized changes that could lead to disputes or funding issues.

If a change is deemed to be within the scope, it can generally be executed without necessitating a formal modification process, which would involve more extensive reviews and potential delays. Being able to confirm that a change falls within the agreed terms of the contract allows for smoother execution and helps maintain the contract's integrity while serving the needs of the government and the contractor alike.

While assessing the cost of the change, deciding who will execute it, and notifying the contractor are important aspects of contract management, they are secondary to the fundamental need to establish whether the change aligns with the originally agreed-upon scope.