The FIRST course of action for the research company to resolve the dispute over the contract price error is to establish with the broker that D. there was an administrative mistake. This approach involves acknowledging that a clerical error occurred in the contract documentation, which led to the misstatement of the price. It is a common first step in resolving such disputes, as it sets the stage for further discussions or negotiations to correct the error and reach an agreement that reflects the original intent of both parties1.