(a) Only contracting officers acting within the scope of their authority are empowered to execute contract modifications on behalf of the Government. Other Government personnel shall not—
- (1) Execute contract modifications;
- (2) Act in such a manner as to cause the contractor to believe that they have authority to bind the Government; or
- (3) Direct or encourage the contractor to perform work that should be the subject of a contract modification.
- (b) Contract modifications, including changes that could be issued unilaterally, shall be priced before their execution if this can be done without adversely affecting the interest of the Government. If a significant cost increase could result from a contract modification and time does not permit negotiation of a price, at least a ceiling price shall be negotiated unless impractical.
[48 FR 42386, Sept. 19, 1983, as amended at 61 FR 18915, Apr. 29, 1996; 61 FR 69298, Dec. 31, 1996; 74 FR 28431, June 15, 2009; 79 FR 24213, Apr. 29, 2014]