diff --git a/ouroboros/tools/plan_spec.py b/ouroboros/tools/plan_spec.py
index 26c2a122b..a4268de23 100644
--- a/ouroboros/tools/plan_spec.py
+++ b/ouroboros/tools/plan_spec.py
@@ -570,7 +570,7 @@ _PLAN_FINDING_ELEMENT_SCHEMA = """\
   "id": "<short local id, e.g. f1>",
   "class": "blocking" | "note" | "need_evidence",
   "breaks": "<spec id — REQUIRED for blocking: goal | claim_N | invariant_N | decision_N | deferred_N>",
-  "locator": "<REQUIRED for need_evidence: an absolute path, or one relative to the subject workspace root; add ::lines=A-B, ::bytes=A-B, ::tail=N or ::symbol=Name (.py only) for one range; task:<id> = a prior task's result; a URL may be named; the host never fetches it>",
+  "locator": "<for a need_evidence DOCUMENT request: an absolute path, or one relative to the subject workspace root; add ::lines=A-B, ::bytes=A-B, ::tail=N or ::symbol=Name (.py only) for one range; task:<id> = a prior task's result; a URL may be named; the host never fetches it. Leave it out for the other form: a need_evidence that asks the AUTHOR a question names the spec id in `breaks` and needs no locator>",
   "summary": "<what is wrong or missing, concretely>",
   "recommendation": "<the smallest change to the SPEC that resolves it>"
 }"""
diff --git a/tests/test_plan_spec_reviewer_questions.py b/tests/test_plan_spec_reviewer_questions.py
index a9e34e7ba..9f74f99e2 100644
--- a/tests/test_plan_spec_reviewer_questions.py
+++ b/tests/test_plan_spec_reviewer_questions.py
@@ -57,3 +57,26 @@ def test_a_question_only_wave_is_review_required_and_never_earns_a_paid_delta_cy
     # question wave and a paid panel bought by rejecting the question; pinned here.
     assert plan_spec.blocking_fully_rejected(
         agg["findings"], [{"finding_id": "s1:q1", "decision": "reject", "rationale": "not needed"}]) is False
+
+
+def test_the_output_contract_states_both_need_evidence_forms():
+    """Owner-forwarded audit, finding 3: the rubric invites a question to the author with
+    the spec id in ``breaks`` and no locator, and the validator accepts exactly that, while
+    the Output contract inserted into the same prompt still demanded a locator for every
+    ``need_evidence``. The contract must state the two forms instead of making the reviewer
+    guess between its own halves or invent a file."""
+    from ouroboros.tools.plan_packet import build_plan_review_system_prompt
+
+    prompt = build_plan_review_system_prompt(
+        checklist_section="", constitutional=False, bible_text=None,
+        cycle_index=1, enforcement="blocking")
+    assert "no locator needed" in prompt  # the rubric's question-to-the-author form
+    assert "REQUIRED for need_evidence" not in prompt
+    assert "for a need_evidence DOCUMENT request" in plan_spec.PLAN_FINDINGS_ARRAY_CONTRACT
+    assert ("a need_evidence that asks the AUTHOR a question names the spec id in `breaks` "
+            "and needs no locator") in plan_spec.PLAN_FINDINGS_ARRAY_CONTRACT
+    assert plan_spec.PLAN_FINDINGS_ARRAY_CONTRACT in prompt
+    # The validator already accepts the question form; the contract now says so.
+    normalized, disclosures, _seen = _validate(
+        [{"id": "q1", "class": "need_evidence", "breaks": "goal", "summary": "Which goal matters more?"}])
+    assert normalized[0]["class"] == "need_evidence" and not disclosures