In a recent decision, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit held that FAR 52.212-4(l), the Termination for Convenience clause used in commercial items contracts, had no effect in a services contract—even though the services contract explicitly incorporated the clause. The case could have significant implications not just for services contracts that borrow commercial-items clauses, but also for contractors evaluating whether new clauses added into their contract (like clauses requiring COVID-19 vaccines) are operative.
Continue Reading Federal Circuit Holds Termination for Convenience Clause Inoperative in Services Contract

While most federal contractors are eminently familiar with the False Claims Act (“FCA”)—government’s most potent weapons for prosecuting false claims—the anti-fraud provision of the Contract Disputes Act (“CDA”) does not receive nearly as much attention in the headlines. CDA anti-fraud cases are rarer than FCA cases for a couple reasons. First, the government’s remedies under the CDA pale in comparison to the robust deterrents available under the FCA, which include five-figure fines (between $11,000 and $22,000 per claim) and potential treble damages.[1] Second, the government is limited to enforcing FCA fraud claims in the federal court system, which complicates matters when the government seeks to assert FCA counterclaims as leverage in cases pending in the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals or the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals.[2]  Thus, case law addressing CDA anti-fraud claims is sparse; indeed the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has never issued a published opinion discussing such claims. Last month, however, emerged an anti-fraud decision in the US Court of Federal Claims (“COFC”) that may eventually find itself worthy of higher-level scrutiny.
Continue Reading US Court of Federal Claims Clarifies the Statute of Limitations for CDA Anti-Fraud Claims

The Contract Disputes Act presents government contractors with two venue options for appealing an adverse final decision.[1]  Within one year of receiving a denial of its claim, the contractor may appeal to the United States Court of Federal Claims (COFC) or, in the alternative, the contractor has ninety days to appeal to an administrative law judge in the appropriate agency board of contract appeals.  For defense contractors, that means the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals; and with a few exceptions, non-defense contractors may appeal to the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals (CBCA).[2]
Continue Reading Hof Construction: The CBCA Decides How it Will Address Conflicting Decisions of Predecessor Agency