What is the difference between a direct cost and an indirect cost?

a. They are the same thing.

b. Direct costs are costs that are billed to the nonoperators on a dollar-per-dollar basis, while indirect costs are repaid to the operator via an overhead charge.

c. Indirect costs are costs that can be shared with the nonoperators on a dollar-per-dollar basis, while direct costs are repaid to the operator via an overhead charge.

d. Direct costs are costs that are billed to the nonoperators on a dollar-perdollar basis, while indirect costs are borne entirely by the operator.

e. None of these applies.