Which of the following best describes the concept of 'constructive change'?

The concept of 'constructive change' pertains specifically to changes in a contract that arise due to actions taken by the government, which alter the contract's original terms without following the formal procedures typically required for contract modifications. This means that even if no official action has been taken to modify the contract, certain government actions can be interpreted as changing the terms, thereby obligating a contractor to adapt to these new conditions.

In many cases, constructive changes may occur due to directives or actions that lead to delays, additional work, or modifications in the project scope, prompting the contractor to seek compensation or adjustments based on these unforeseen alterations. Recognizing constructive changes is important for maintaining the integrity of the contract and ensuring that the contractor is compensated appropriately for work that arises from these circumstances.

The other options describe various aspects of contract changes but do not accurately reflect the specific nature of constructive changes as defined in federal contracting contexts. For instance, informal change requests or mutual agreements do not capture the essence of a constructive change, while modifications made after substantial compliance generally imply different contractual relationships or types of adjustments.