What is a key characteristic of unilateral modifications?

A key characteristic of unilateral modifications is that they are signed only by the contracting officer. This means that the contracting officer has the authority to make changes to the contract without requiring agreement from the other party involved, which can streamline the process of modifying a contract when adjustments are necessary.

In contrast, other options reflecting characteristics of modifications would involve mutual consent or initiation by other parties, which would not apply to unilateral modifications. For instance, requiring mutual agreement would pertain to bilateral modifications, where both parties must consent to the changes made. Similarly, a contractor initiating a modification implies a collaborative effort, whereas unilateral modifications are specifically initiated by the authority of the contracting officer. Disclosure to all parties is also more characteristic of transparency in processes involving mutual changes, rather than the unilateral nature of these modifications. Thus, the uniqueness of unilateral modifications lies significantly in the authority and signature of the contracting officer being the sole evidence of the modification's validity and execution.