[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 13, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 13CFR115.16]

[Page 184-185]
 
                TITLE 13--BUSINESS CREDIT AND ASSISTANCE
 
                CHAPTER I--SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
 
PART 115_SURETY BOND GUARANTEE--Table of Contents
 
           Subpart A_Provisions for All Surety Bond Guarantees
 
Sec.  115.16  Determination of Surety's Loss.

    Loss is determined as follows:
    (a) Loss under a Bid Bond is the lesser of the penal sum or the 
amount which is the difference between the bonded bid and the next 
higher responsive bid. In either case, the Loss is reduced by any 
amounts the Surety recovers by reason of the Principal's defenses 
against the Obligee's demand for performance by the Principal and any 
sums the Surety recovers from indemnitors and other salvage.
    (b) Loss under a Payment Bond is, at the Surety's option, the sum 
necessary to pay all just and timely claims against the Principal for 
the value of labor, materials, equipment and supplies furnished for use 
in the performance of the bonded Contract and other covered debts, or 
the penal sum of the Payment Bond. In either case, the Loss includes 
interest (if any), but Loss is reduced by any amounts recovered (through 
offset or otherwise) by reason of the Principal's claims against 
laborers, materialmen, subcontractors, suppliers, or other rightful 
claimants, and by any amounts recovered from indemnitors and other 
salvage.
    (c) Loss under a Performance Bond is, at the Surety's option, the 
sum necessary to meet the cost of fulfilling the terms of a bonded 
Contract or the penal sum of the bond. In either case, the Loss includes 
interest (if any), but Loss is reduced by any amounts recovered (through 
offset or otherwise) by reason of the Principal's defenses or causes of 
action against the Obligee, and by any amounts recovered from 
indemnitors and other salvage.
    (d) Loss under an Ancillary Bond is the amount covered by such bond 
which is

[[Page 185]]

attributable to the Contract for which guaranteed Final Bonds were 
Executed.
    (e) Loss includes the following expenses if they are itemized, 
documented and attributable solely to the Loss under the guaranteed 
bond:
    (1) Amounts actually paid by the Surety which are specifically 
allocable to the investigation, adjustment, negotiation, compromise, 
settlement of, or resistance to a claim for Loss resulting from the 
breach of the terms of the bonded Contract. Any cost allocation method 
must be reasonable and must comply with generally accepted accounting 
principles; and
    (2) Amounts actually paid by the Surety for court costs and 
reasonable attorney's fees incurred to mitigate any Loss under 
paragraphs (a) through (e)(1) of this section including suits to obtain 
sums due from Obligees, indemnitors, Principals and others.
    (f) Loss does not include the following expenses:
    (1) Any unallocated expenses, or any clear mark-up on expenses or 
any overhead, of the Surety, its attorney, or any other party hired by 
the Surety or the attorney;
    (2) Expenses paid for any suits, cross-claims, or counterclaims 
filed against the United States of America or any of its agencies, 
officers, or employees unless the Surety has received, prior to filing 
such suit or claim, written concurrence from SBA that the suit may be 
filed;
    (3) Attorney's fees and court costs incurred by the Surety in a suit 
by or against SBA or its Administrator; and
    (4) Fees, costs, or other payments, including tort damages, arising 
from a successful tort suit or claim by a Principal or any other Person 
against the Surety.