A claim is a written demand or assertion by the contractor seeking adjustment or interpretation of the terms of the contract documents, payment of money, extension of time, or other relief with respect to the contract documents, including a determination of disputes or matters in question between the University and contractor regarding the contract documents or the performance of the work. Before asserting a claim, the contractor must either submit a Change Order Request or give a written notice of intent to file the claim. The University's Representative makes a final decision on change order requests. If a claim is not subject to the procedures for a Change Order Request, the contractor may assert a claim only if the contractor gives a valid written notice of intent to file the claim. Various conditions must be met by the contractor.
Negotiation is the first step toward and probably the best method of resolving most claims.
Negotiation may also be used after a decision on the claim is made by the University's Representative. If negotiation is unsuccessful, the University's Representative issues a decision on a contractor's claim. Failure of the University's Representative to render a decision within a specified time period is deemed a denial of the claim. At any time after the decision by the University's Representative, the University and the contractor may resolve their differences using negotiation. Mediation is a procedure governed by rules of the American Arbitration Association for claims resolution.