"Cannot accept a negative schedule" - "must submit a recovery schedule" - are often in Specs, but why can't you accept it - if the job is indeed negative, it is not like you are saying the you get the later date for Substantial Completion - you are agreeing that it is negative. I understand you want them to "try" to recover but that is not always possible. Is your only option to "Receive for Record" are you at legal risk if you approve a negative schedule?