5.3.1.4.8 Disruption

• Jurisdiction: Arizona

Related to, but different, than a claim for delay is disruption. “Disruption” is defined as a material alteration in the performance conditions expected at bid time resulting in an increased difficulty and cost of performance to the contractor. Normally, disruption impacts a planned sequential performance of work, thereby causing the contractor to experience a loss in efficiency. But the time for performance is not necessarily extended. In the “pure delay” situation, the contractor with an excusable delay is entitled to an extension of time for performance. With disruption of the contractor’s work, the contractor may or may not need additional time to perform, but the contractor’s cost of performance is substantially increased due to a loss of efficiency. One of the major differences between a disruption and “pure delay”...