Government Contract Claims: Top 10 Things to Know About the Contract Disputes Act
Making Effective Use of the Claims/Disputes Process
CPARS From A to Z
Federal contractors understandably associate litigation at the Court of Federal Claims (COFC) with recovering monetary damages. Appealing denied claims to the COFC (along with the Boards of Contract Appeals) is the exclusive...more
At a time when government agencies are terminating contracts for convenience at an increasingly high rate, a recent decision by the U.S. Civilian Board of Contract Appeals in Blankson v. Agency for International Development,...more
The Department of Government Efficiency’s (“DOGE”) scrutiny of federal contracts has resulted in a spike in notices of termination for convenience. Given DOGE’s broad mandate to reduce federal spending, we expect a sustained...more
In celebration of the release of the 6th Edition of the Government Contracts Compliance Handbook, we are sharing six essential tips for successfully navigating the contract claims process under federal procurement...more
The Board docketed 17 fewer new appeals in fiscal year (FY) 2024 than it docketed in FY 2023. The Board docketed more cases than it resolved in FY 2024....more
The Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals’ 2024 annual report reveals—yet again—the lowest number of docketed appeals in 40 years. Where have the contractor appeals gone? Contractors filed fewer appeals with the Board...more
In Appeal of – JE Dunn Construction Co., the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals considered and denied the government’s post-hearing motion to dismiss JE Dunn’s complaint for failure to submit sums certain for each of...more
A glimmer of hope from the Federal Circuit for software manufacturers looking to enforce license agreements against the U.S. Federal Government. In an order issued March 6, 2024, the court said entities licensing software...more
The Civilian Board of Contract Appeals (CBCA) recently published its annual report, providing key statistics on cases filed at and adjudicated by the CBCA in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023. Of note, the CBCA found in favor of the...more
Department of Transportation v. Eagle Peak Rock & Paving, Inc., concerns a $35 million contract that the U.S. Department of Transportation Highway Administration ("FHWA") awarded to Eagle Peak Rock & Paving, Inc. ("Eagle...more
The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit concluded that the Contract Disputes Act (CDA) “impliedly forbids” federal contractors from bringing most trade secret misappropriation claims against federal agencies in district...more
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit broke with earlier precedent and held that the sum certain requirement imposed on contractors is not jurisdictional and therefore cannot be grounds for dismissal late in the...more
Claims Cases Aries Construction Corp. v. United States, No.22-166C (February 21, 2023) - Court of Federal Claims Judge Schwartz issued an opinion discussing the relationship between the Contract Disputes Act (CDA) claim...more
A contracting officer’s unfavorable final decision is not the end of the road for a federal contractor’s claim for additional time and/or money on a federal project. Rather, a final decision is a mandatory prerequisite to...more
A federal district court in Washington recently rejected a subcontractor’s motion for reconsideration of a previously granted motion to stay in a Miller Act lawsuit (the Miller Act governs prime contractor bond requirements...more
The Contract Disputes Act allows contractors seeking payment of a claim arising from a contract with the federal government six years from the date it accrued to submit the claim to the contracting officer. Failure to do so...more
The “new normal” at the ASBCA has produced some interesting results for contractors to consider as they formulate and advance contract claims. The Board docketed a near record low number of new appeals during FY 2021. ...more
A letter from the contracting officer unequivocally directing the contractor to exclude specific costs from its cost submissions as unallowable may not be an appealable final decision. Contractors should seek...more
On May 19, 2020, the Federal Circuit upheld summary judgment against a government contractor for failure to file a claim timely within the six-year time limit prescribed by the Contract Disputes Act (CDA). In Electric Boat...more
As any experienced government contractor knows, poor performance under a federal contract can have significant consequences. ...more
On Aug. 17, 2018, the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals (CBCA) published a final rule amending its rules of procedures which will be effective for cases filed with the board on or after Sept. 17, 2018. The CBCA's current...more
In this episode of GovCon Perspectives, Will Wozniak talks with Tony Anikeeff about how the claims/disputes process can be effective for addressing contract issues beyond just getting paid. But you must follow the rules....more
In September, the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals (ASBCA) addressed the certification requirements under the Contract Disputes Act (CDA). A motion to dismiss by the U.S. Government prompted the ASBCA to consider...more
The ASBCA’s FY2017 Annual Report reveals interesting facts and trends for contractors deciding whether to litigate at the Board or the Court. The ASBCA’s 2017 annual report offers some revealing statistics concerning the...more
Last year provided a number of important claims and cases that further developed various aspects of litigation regarding the Contract Disputes Act (CDA). The major issues raised in some of the more notable claims include...more