What Claims and Disputes arise in government contracting?

In the course of contract administration and contract performance, any number of issues may arise between the contractor and the government customer.  These could range from differing interpretations over specifications, terms and conditions, funding, and performance schedules, to disputes as serious as to lead to termination for default.

In many instances, subcontractors under government prime contracts have flowdown of substantially the same terms and conditions on performance obligations as their primes.  Typically, the subcontractor will by agreement with the prime have access to the claims and disputes process in the name of the prime contractor.

Claims and disputes in government contracting generally begin with attempts to resolve matters through discussions and mutual agreement of the parties, at the level of the government contracting officer.  When that is unsuccessful, and ADR is not used, claims and disputes are subject to administrative and judicial review.

All federal agencies provide or have access to an administrative board of contract appeals for the litigation of claims and disputes, in which cases are heard and decided by administrative judges.  When appropriate, cases may be brought in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.  Appeals from the boards of contract appeals and the Court of Federal Claims may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

What does Doyle & Bachman LLP offer our clients?

For many years, Doyle & Bachman LLP has represented and advised clients in all aspects of government contract claims and disputes.  These services include:

• negotiation of contract modifications
• preparation of certified contract claims
• litigation of contract claims at all federal agency board of contract appeals and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims
• defense of contract claims brought by the government
• appeals of decisions on contract claims from the boards and the Court of Federal Claims at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit 
• negotiation of settlements at all stages of the litigation
• representation of subcontractors in claims brought in the name of the prime contractor