Sentence:  Mr. <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Howley</span>. They are telling him how much they will increase the reimbursement for the total labor cost. The contractor is left to <WSD>fend</WSD> as he can. / Chairman <span style="font-variant:small-caps">Murphy</span>. Obviously, he can't <WSD>fend</WSD> for any more than the money he has coming in. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  To take care of oneself; to take responsibility for one's own well-being.