31.205-7 Contingencies
Source: FAR 31.205-7 on acquisition.gov
Contingency costs are generally unallowable for historical costs but must be carefully evaluated, included, or disclosed in future cost estimates based on their foreseeability and measurability.
Overview
FAR 31.205-7 defines and regulates the treatment of contingencies in government contract cost accounting. A contingency is a possible future event or condition with an indeterminable outcome at the present time. The regulation distinguishes between contingencies for historical costing and those for estimating future costs, providing guidance on when such costs are allowable, includable, or must be disclosed separately. Generally, contingency costs are unallowable for historical costs, except in limited cases such as contract terminations where minor unsettled factors may be recognized. For future cost estimates, contingencies are split into two categories: those arising from known conditions with reasonably foreseeable effects (which should be included in estimates), and those with effects that cannot be measured precisely (which must be excluded from estimates but disclosed separately to aid negotiations).
(a) "Contingency," as used in this subpart, means a possible future event or condition arising from presently known or unknown causes, the outcome of which is indeterminable at the present time.
(b) Costs for contingencies are generally unallowable for historical costing purposes because such costing deals with costs incurred and recorded on the contractor’s books. However, in some cases, as for example, terminations, a contingency factor may be recognized when it is applicable to a past period to give recognition to minor unsettled factors in the interest of expediting settlement.
(c) In connection with estimates of future costs, contingencies fall into two categories:
(1) Those that may arise from presently known and existing conditions, the effects of which are foreseeable within reasonable limits of accuracy; e.g., anticipated costs of rejects and defective work. Contingencies of this category are to be included in the estimates of future costs so as to provide the best estimate of performance cost.
(2) Those that may arise from presently known or unknown conditions, the effect of which cannot be measured so precisely as to provide equitable results to the contractor and to the Government; e.g., results of pending litigation. Contingencies of this category are to be excluded from cost estimates under the several items of cost, but should be disclosed separately (including the basis upon which the contingency is computed) to facilitate the negotiation of appropriate contractual coverage. (See, for example, 31.205-6(g) and 31.205-19.)