Contingent Fees
Subject: Improper Practices
Source: FAR
FAR Part: FAR 3
DFAR Part:
FAR 3.4 - Contingent Fees
“Contingent fee” means any commission, percentage, brokerage, or other fee that is contingent upon the success that a person or concern has in securing a Government contract.
3.402 Statutory requirements
Contractors’ arrangements to pay contingent fees for soliciting or obtaining Government contracts have long been considered contrary to public policy because such arrangements may lead to attempted or actual exercise of improper influence. In 10 U.S.C. 2306(b) and 41 U.S.C. 3901, Congress affirmed this public policy but permitted certain exceptions. These statutes—
(a) Require in every negotiated contract a warranty by the contractor against contingent fees;
(b) Permit, as an exception to the warranty, contingent fee arrangements between contractors and bona fide employees or bona fide agencies; and
(c) Provide that, for breach or violation of the warranty by the contractor, the Government may annul the contract without liability or deduct from the contract price or consideration, or otherwise recover, the full amount of the contingent fee.
