What entitles the government to a price adjustment after the award?

The government is entitled to a price adjustment after the award if defective pricing is discovered post-award. This concept relates to the integrity of the pricing information provided by the contractor during the proposal process. If it is found that there were inaccuracies or misrepresentations in the pricing data that impacted the contract price, the government can seek a price adjustment to ensure that it pays a fair price based on accurate cost data.

Defective pricing typically refers to situations where the contractor fails to disclose relevant information that could have led to a different pricing outcome. When these defects come to light after the award, it becomes essential for the government to rectify the pricing through adjustments to maintain budget integrity and compliance with contract terms.

The other options do not appropriately capture the conditions that warrant a price adjustment. For example, defective pricing discovered before the award does not lead to contract adjustment—it may affect the award decision itself. Discrepancies in pricing could be considered, but without the specific context of defective pricing, they do not automatically justify an adjustment. Changes in contract scope can lead to price adjustments, but this involves the scope of work rather than the correctness of the pricing information initially provided.