Picture this: A contractor is nearly finished with a major dam stabilization project, but a series of Owner-directed changes pushes the last phase of the work into late fall and early winter. Instead of working through the relatively dry conditions expected in the original schedule, the contractor is suddenly battling weeks of rain and freezing
OMG! Bruh 86s PLAs Under CICA—It’s a “W” for Fed Contractors!
I am sure that my kiddos would understand that title, so shoot me an email if you get it!
In a major win for open competition in federal contracting, the United States Court of Federal Claims ruled against the government’s mandate requiring Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) on large-scale federal construction projects. The decision, issued in
What Federal Contractors Need to Know About the End of Executive Order 11246 — And How to Stay Ahead
On January 21, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.” This sweeping action revoked Executive Order 11246, a policy that had guided federal contractors on affirmative action and anti-discrimination measures since 1965. The new directive eliminates requirements for federal contractors to maintain affirmative action programs
Contract Void Ab Initio: Key Insights into the KBR vs. Corps of Engineers Affirmative Defense
In a recent Board decision dated December 13, 2023, the United States Army Corps of Engineers sought to amend its answer in the case of APPEALS OF – KELLOGG BROWN & ROOT SERVICES, INC., under Contract No. W912GB-13-C-0011. The proposed amendment introduces an affirmative defense, contending that Kellogg Brown & Root Services, Inc. (KBR) made
When is a Contractor’s Termination for Default Proper? When it Does Bad Things!
Sometimes you “do” bad things. Sometimes you “look like” you do bad things. Just look at the difference between Bad-boy Jack and my youngest daughter, who just “looks like” she’s up to no good. In the world of construction contracting, both can get in you in trouble, including a termination for default of performance.
Tongue Twister: Commander Closes Construction Site for COVID and Contractor Can’t Recover Contract Costs
Last month, the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals held that a public contractor could not recover $100k in construction costs incurred following the government’s decision to close down a base in Tennessee due to COVID-19.
APTIM Federal Services, LLC (ASBCA No. 62982) involved a contractor who sought to recover $99,076 in operational costs incurred
You Can’t Treat Construction Claims Like Your Grandkids
I have seven children. and two of them have flown the coop. I also have two grandchildren who are ripe for spoiling. You see, grandchildren are a different type of kid, which means I get to treat them different than the kiddos living under my roof. In construction, however, some courts have held that
COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance for Federal Contractors
On September 24, 2021, the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force released guidance detailing COVID-19 vaccination and other pandemic-related workplace safety requirements for federal contractors in accordance with the Executive Order issued by President Biden on September 9, 2021. The Executive Order broadly outlined which contractors were covered by the mandate, but contained few specific details
Court Recognizes Day-to-Day Changes Are Compensable Despite Contractual Waivers
It happens all the time! The owner-contractor agreement contains a “no damages for delay” clause; a clause requiring that all changes be in writing before work is performed; and a clause requiring partial lien waivers and releases with each periodic payment. And yet we see a claim for delays and extras filed at the end
Complimentary E-Book: Best Practices for Contractors to Address COVID-19
I am not going to even attempt to describe what has occurred over the past week. You’ve read it online. You’ve watched the daily news reports. You’ve listened to the radio. And you’ve even had to adjust your own schedule to accommodate school closings. While working remotely myself, my mobile phone has been constantly pinging