A contractor is working on a fixed price contract that calls for a single, lump sum payment upon satisfactory completion of the contract. About halfway through the contract, the contractor’s project manager informs the contract administrator that financial problems are making it difficult for the contractor to pay employees and subcontractors. The contractor asks for a partial payment for work accomplished. Which of the following actions by the buyer is most likely to cause problems for the project?

a. Starting to make partial payments to the contractor

b. Making no payments to the contractor

c. Paying for work accomplished to date

d. Negotiating a change to the contract