What kind of notice does a contracting officer send when a contractor is at risk of default?

A contracting officer sends a cure notice when a contractor is at risk of default to inform them of their failure to meet contractual obligations and to provide the opportunity to remedy the situation. This notice serves to outline the specific deficiencies or failures in performance and typically includes a time frame within which the contractor must correct the issues. The goal of the cure notice is to encourage the contractor to take corrective actions before more serious measures, such as default termination, are considered.

This approach aligns with the principles of contract management, which emphasizes communication and resolution before escalation. By issuing a cure notice, the contracting officer preserves the relationship with the contractor and adheres to due process, providing the contractor an opportunity to address the identified issues.

The other options, while related to contract management, do not serve the purpose of addressing a contractor's risk of default in the same direct manner. A directed change notification pertains to changes in scope, deadlines, or terms, a default notice occurs after a contractor has already defaulted, and a constructive change alert addresses disagreements regarding contract changes that have been made without proper documentation rather than risks of default.