Firm Fixed Price (FFP) Contract

A Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) (FAR Subpart 16.2) contract provides for a price that is not subject to any adjustment on the basis of the contractor’s cost experience in performing the contract. This contract type places upon the contractor maximum risk and full responsibility for all costs and resulting profit or loss. It provides maximum incentive for the contractor to control costs and perform effectively and imposes a minimum administrative burden upon the contracting parties. An FFP contract is not subject to any adjustment, whereas a Fixed Price Contract might have a provision for economic price adjustments.

Definition: A firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract provides for a price that is not subject to any adjustment on the basis of the contractor’s cost experience in performing the contract.

Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) Contract Regulations

The main regulations that govern FFP contracts within the defense acquisition system.

Website: FAR Subpart 16.2 – Fixed-Price Contracts

Website: DFARS 216.2 – Fixed-Price Contracts

Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) Incentives

The contracting officer may use a firm-fixed-price contract in conjunction with an Award-Fee Incentive (see FAR Subpart 16.404) and performance or delivery incentives (see 16.402-2 and 16.402-3) when the award fee or incentive is based solely on factors other than cost. The contract type remains firm-fixed-price when used with these incentives.

Benefits of using a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) Contract

The main benefit of using a firm-fixed-price contract is that the price agreement is guaranteed. All the risk is taken on by the contractor to deliver within the price agreed in the contract. Any overages or deviations will have to be absorbed by the contractor. As a result, these contracts are very specific and what is being delivered, and when.

Less risk to the government or buyer
More risk to the seller or contractor
Known pricing

When to use a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) Contract

An FFP contract is suitable for acquiring commercial items or for acquiring other supplies or services on the basis of reasonably definite functional or detailed specifications when the contracting officer can establish fair and reasonable prices at the outset, such as when: (FAR Subpart 16.202-2)

There is adequate price competition;
There are reasonable price comparisons with prior purchases of the same or similar supplies or services made on a competitive basis or supported by valid cost or pricing data;
Available cost or pricing information permits realistic estimates of the probable costs of performance; or
Performance uncertainties can be identified and reasonable estimates of their cost impact can be made, and the contractor is willing to accept a firm fixed price representing the assumption of the risks involved.

Types of Fixed-Price (FFP) Contracts

There are a few different FP contracts that can be utilized. Make sure you choose the most appropriate FP contract for your program.

Fixed-price contracts with economic price adjustment (16.203): A FFP contract with economic price adjustment provides for upward and downward revision of the stated contract price upon the occurrence of specified contingencies.
Fixed-price incentive contracts (16.204): A FFP incentive contract is a fixed-price contract that provides for adjusting profit and establishing the final contract price by a formula based on the relationship of final negotiated total cost to total target cost.
Fixed-price contracts with prospective price redetermination (16.205): A FFP with prospective price redetermination provides for the initial period of contract deliveries or performance, Prospective redetermination, at a stated time or times during the performance, of the price for subsequent periods of performance.
Fixed-ceiling-price contracts with retroactive price redetermination (16.206): A fixed-ceiling-price contract with retroactive price redetermination provides for fixed ceiling price Retroactive price redetermination within the ceiling after completion of the contract.
Firm-fixed-price, level-of-effort term contracts (16.207): A firm-fixed-price, level-of-effort term contract requires The contractor to provide a specified level of effort, over a stated period of time, on work that can be stated only in general terms; and the Government to pay the contractor a fixed dollar amount.

AcqNotes Tutorials

Other Contract Types

– See Contract Finance Payments
– See Indefinite Delivery Contract
– See Incentive Contract
– See Cost-Reimbursement Contract
– See Time and Materials Contract

Notes:

A Firm Fixed Price Contract price contract is not subject to any adjustment whereas a Fixed Price Contract might have a provision for economic price adjustments.

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Updated: 12/9/2022

Rank: G3.8

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