(90) Established prices and cost indexes need not reflect changes in the costs or established prices of a specific contractor. The established price or cost index may be derived from sales prices in the marketplace, quotes, or assessments as reported or made available in a consistent manner in a publication, electronic database, or other form, by an independent trade association, Government body, or other third party independent of the contractor. More than one established price or cost index may be combined in a formula for economic price adjustment purposes in the absence of an appropriate single price or cost index. (DAR Tracking Number 95-D0003, FARS DEV 96-10).
(91) Although a specific item or element of cost may require EPA coverage, the contracting officer should also determine whether an EPA clause should cover the entire end item to take advantage of competitive market forces to moderate price fluctuations. The decision should be based on risk and price analyses of the alternatives, and may be an appropriate element of tradeoff in negotiations.
