The Dangerous Risk of Assuming an RFI Changed the Contract

One of the most dangerous assumptions in federal construction is believing an RFI response automatically changed the contract. In this episode, former NAVFAC Contracting Officer Chris Williams explains how contractors quietly lose leverage when they confuse clarification with contractual direction. This episode covers: Why RFIs do not automatically create entitlement The difference between clarification and change How Contracting Officers evaluate RFI-related disputes Why assumptions must be preserved early How RFIs become REA problems later in execution If you work in NAVFAC, USACE, or broader DoD construction contracting, this episode will fundamentally change how you think about RFIs and execution strategy.