T&M (Time and Material) contracts are common Government contract types. These contracts are usually issued when the Government cannot realistically estimate the requirements or the requirements cannot be known at the time of award. Firefighting is a good example. The Government wants to have forest/brush fire fighting capability under contract but the requirements depend on the number of forest fires which cannot be reasonably or accurately forecast.
Source: PNWC’s Government Contracting Update: Caution Regarding Substitutions for Contracted Skill Levels
New Regulation Formalizes Ombudsman Practice and Identity for IDIQ Contracts
An ‘ombudsman’ is an official charged with addressing and/or investigating the interests of individuals’ or companies’
