Imagine that you are a contracts officer for the Department of Energy (DOE). You have been asked to review bids from contractors who have developed a new widget for saving the American public twenty-five percent (25%) on their energy bills. Once an award is made, the contractors will receive the contract, which includes provisions to minimize risks and define rights and obligations, from the Department of Energy. 

Write a three to four (3-4) page paper in which you:

1. Evaluate the importance of the standard default clause. As a contracts officer for the DOE, suggest two (2) ways in which you could combine the standard default clause with the FAR's delay provision for the protection of both parties to the contract. Provide a rationale for your response.
2. Speculate on the impact that a contracting officer's changes to the payment terms within the contract would exert upon both the government and the contractor. Next, suggest the most secure method for making a contractual change. Justify your response.
3. As a contracts officer for the DOE, suggest two (2) improvements that you would make to the inspection procedure in order to make the procedure more efficient. Provide a rationale for your response.
4. Use at least three (3) quality academic resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia and similar websites do not qualify as academic resources.