(a) If the contracting officer has any indication that a contractor owes money to the Government under a contract, the contracting officer shall determine promptly whether an actual debt is due and the amount. Any unnecessary delay may contribute to—

(1) Loss of timely availability of the funds to the program for which the funds were initially provided;

(2) Increased difficulty in collecting the debt; or

(3) Actual monetary loss to the Government.

(b) The amount of indebtedness determined by the contracting officer shall be an amount that—

(1) Is based on the merits of the case; and

(2) Is consistent with the contract terms.