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
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
Email Sent After Final Payment Held Insufficient to Preserve Timeliness of Claim Against Government
They say that hindsight is 20/20. Who is they, anyway? The old proverb means that it is easy to understand something after it has already happened. In the world of construction contracts, preservation of claims made in hindsight does not always get you what you want.
In Appeal of Matcon Diamond, Inc., ASBCA No.
Contractor Learns You Need an Expert to Join “Battle of the Experts”
It kind of goes without saying, but you should probably bring your expert to a dispute if there is going to be a battle of the experts. One contractor recently learned this lesson to the tune of $65,000.
In Appeal of BES Construction, LLC, ASBCA 60608 (Oct. 23, 2019), the contracting officer awarded the
Design-Build Contractor Held to the Same Standard On Differing Site Conditions Clause
Each and every kid in my house is held to the same standard—a very tough one I might add. You see, I recognize they are different ages, difference sexes, and have different strengths and weaknesses, but that does not change how I choose to parent as a single dad. In the same way, a court
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, Haven, 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.
Contracting Officer’s Belief That Contractor Could Not Meet Schedule Requirements Insufficient to Support Default Termination
There is objective evidence. There is subjective evidence. And sometimes, it is a combination of both A case cannot go much worse when a court’s opinion starts with the following: “This case concerns a contract in which a number of disputes, poor practices, and conflicting personalities created a climate of dishonesty, distrust, and lack of