Frequently Asked Questions

If you have fixed price labor rates on a cost reimbursement term task order, can the contractor bill the government for overtime worked by employees who are not paid for the overtime worked?

We would assume you have a Time-and-Materials or Labor-Hour contract, using a "Payments" clause similar to that in the FAR at 52.232-7 "Payments Under Time-and- Materials and Labor-Hour Contracts." This Payments clause envisions the payment of fixed hourly billing rates as specified in the contract for "direct labor hours performed." However, the clause goes on to say "the Contractor shall substantiate vouchers by evidence of actual payment and by individual daily job timecards, or other substantiation approved by the Contracting Officer." The Contractor has to make actual payments for the overtime hours in order to bill you for those hours. We would encourage you, however, to consult with your legal counsel concerning the proper interpretation of the actual language in your contract. (Reviewed: May 2010)

Is there contract language, developed by and/or found to be acceptable to, the FTA that limits a bus manufacturer's liability for inordinate increases in the cost of raw material for components of our end product? With the recent rise in steel prices, we feel it prudent to incorporate force majeure type clauses in our bids that are FTA compliant.

FTA recognizes there are times when unusual inflationary risks may call for fixed price contracts with economic price adjustment provisions.  The Federal Acquisition Regulation contains examples of economic price adjustment clauses at 52.216-2 and 52.216-3. (Revised: May 2017)

Where can I find a specific statement that says the invoice amount and purchase order/ contract amount should be the same?

The purchase order is of course a contract. The amount invoiced by the vendor/contractor must agree with the contract price in order to be paid. As to a specific statement concerning what price(s) may be invoiced, the purchase order (contract) itself must state the price(s) that the parties have agreed upon for the various items to be delivered, and the agency's promise to pay those prices within a certain period of time from the submission of the invoice, assuming the deliverable items meet the contract specifications. If the invoice varies from the contract price, the invoice should be returned to the contractor for correction. (Posted: January, 2013)