Overview
This section establishes the formal communication channels and procedures contractors must follow when inquiring about overdue payments or disputing payment amounts and timing.
Key Rules
- Delinquent Payments: Inquiries regarding late payments should be directed specifically to the designated billing office or designated payment office.
- Payment Disagreements: Issues involving the specific amount or the timing of a payment must be directed to the Contracting Officer (CO).
- Contracting Officer Duty: The CO is required to coordinate with internal contracting channels and relevant offices to resolve payment disputes.
- Small Business Advocacy: Small business concerns have the right to seek additional assistance from the agency’s local small business specialist or the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) regarding Prompt Payment Act issues and interest penalties.
Practical Implications
- Proper Routing: To avoid administrative delays, contractors must distinguish between administrative payment failures (contacting the payment office) and substantive contractual disputes (contacting the CO).
- Advocacy for Small Firms: Small businesses can utilize the OSDBU as a powerful secondary resource to escalate payment issues that are not being resolved through standard channels.