Which of the following is an example of an excusable delay?

An excusable delay refers to a delay in the performance of a contract that is not the fault of the contractor and is typically related to an event that cannot be controlled or is beyond the contractor’s capability to manage.

Quarantine restrictions serve as a clear example of an excusable delay because they are often imposed by governmental authorities due to unforeseen public health concerns. These restrictions can prevent the contractor from completing work in a timely manner, as they might hinder access to job sites, make personnel unavailable, or restrict necessary supplies. Such circumstances are generally recognized as valid reasons for extending deadlines under contract terms.

In contrast, unforeseen technical difficulties, while they can affect project timelines, might not automatically qualify as excusable delays depending on the specifics of the contract language regarding technical challenges. Disagreement over contract terms usually stems from issues with negotiation or planning rather than external uncontrollable events, and thus wouldn’t qualify as excusable. Market fluctuations, although impactful, are typically considered a normal business risk rather than an excusable factor, unless specifically outlined in the contract terms to protect against such eventualities.

Thus, quarantine restrictions represent an uncontrollable external factor that justifies an extension of time and is categorized as an excusable delay.