Joseph Feibel – January 8, 2018
Question:
What is a delinquency notice?
Answer:
A delinquency notice is a written notice from the Contracting Officer (CO) to the contractor to inform the contractor of problems with contract performance. The CO may also issue a delinquency notice to determine whether delays in contract performance are excusable. FAR Part 49 provides the format for two notices, the cure notice and the show cause notice.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/48/49.607
48 CFR 49.607 – Delinquency notices.
(a)Cure notice. If a contract is to be terminated for default before the delivery date, a Cure Notice is required by the Default clause. Before using this notice, it must be ascertained that an amount of time equal to or greater than the period of cure remains in the contract delivery schedule or any extension to it. If the time remaining in the contract delivery schedule is not sufficient to permit a realistic cure period of 10 days or more, the Cure Notice should not be issued. The Cure Notice may be in the following format:
You are notified that the Government considers your ___ [specify the contractor’s failure or failures] a condition that is endangering performance of the contract. Therefore, unless this condition is cured within 10 days after receipt of this notice [or insert any longer time that the Contracting Officer may consider reasonably necessary], the Government may terminate for default under the terms and conditions of the ___ [insert clause title] clause of this contract.
(b)Show cause notice. If the time remaining in the contract delivery schedule is not sufficient to permit a realistic cure period of 10 days or more, the following Show Cause Notice may be used. It should be sent immediately upon expiration of the delivery period.
Since you have failed to ___ [insert “perform Contract No. ___ within the time required by its terms”, or“cure the conditions endangering performance under Contract No. ___ as described to you in the Government’s letter of ____ (date)”], the Government is considering terminating the contract under the provisions for default of this contract. Pending a final decision in this matter, it will be necessary to determine whether your failure to perform arose from causes beyond your control and without fault or negligence on your part. Accordingly, you are given the opportunity to present, in writing, any facts bearing on the question to ____ [insert the name and complete address of the contracting officer], within 10 days after receipt of this notice. Your failure to present any excuses within this time may be considered as an admission that none exist. Your attention is invited to the respective rights of the Contractor and the Government and the liabilities that may be invoked if a decision is made to terminate for default.
Any assistance given to you on this contract or any acceptance by the Government of delinquent goods or services will be solely for the purpose of mitigating damages, and it is not the intention of the Government to condone any delinquency or to waive any rights the Government has under the contract.