Code of Maryland Regulations
Title 21 - STATE PROCUREMENT REGULATIONS
Subtitle 07 - CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Chapter 21.07.02 - Mandatory Construction Contract Clauses
Section 21.07.02.02 - Changes

"(1) The procurement officer unilaterally may, at any time, without notice to the sureties, if any, by written order designated or indicated to be a change order, make any change in the work within the general scope of the contract, including but not limited to changes:

"(2) Any other written order or an oral order, including a direction, instruction, interpretation or determination, from the procurement officer that causes any such change, shall be treated as a change order under this clause, provided that the Contractor gives the procurement officer written notice stating the date, circumstances, and source of the order and that the Contractor regards the order as a change order.

"(3) Except as herein provided, no order, statement, or conduct of the procurement officer shall be treated as a change under this clause or entitle the Contractor to an equitable adjustment hereunder.

"(4) Subject to paragraph (6), if any change under this clause causes an increase or decrease in the Contractor's cost of, or the time required for, the performance of any part of the work under this contract, whether or not changed by any order, an equitable adjustment shall be made and the contract modified in writing accordingly; provided, however, that except for claims based on defective specifications, no claim for any change under (2) above shall be allowed for any costs incurred more than 20 days before the Contractor gives written notice as therein required; and provided further, that in the case of defective specifications for which the State is responsible, the equitable adjustment shall include any increased cost reasonably incurred by the Contractor in attempting to comply with such defective specifications.

"(5) If the Contractor intends to assert a claim for an equitable adjustment under this clause, the Contractor shall, within 30 days after receipt of a written change order under paragraph (1) of this clause, or the furnishing of written notice under paragraph (2) of this clause, submit to the procurement officer a written statement setting forth the general nature and monetary extent of such claim, unless this period is extended by the State. The statement of claim hereunder may be included in the notice under paragraph (2) of this clause.

"(6) Each contract modification or change order that affects contract price shall be subject to the prior written approval of the procurement officer and other appropriate authorities and to prior certification of the appropriate fiscal authority of fund availability and the effect of the modification or change order on the project budget or the total construction cost. If, according to the certification of the fiscal authority, the contract modification or change order will cause an increase in cost that will exceed budgeted and available funds, the modification or change order may not be made unless sufficient additional funds are made available or the scope of the project is adjusted to permit its completion within the project budget.

"(7) No claim by the Contractor for an equitable adjustment hereunder shall be allowed if asserted after final payment under this contract."