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In ECC Int’l, LLC, ASBCA No. 60167 (Jan. 25, 2022), the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals (“Board”) held that it had jurisdiction to hear a contractor’s alternate theories of recovery that arose from the same operative facts and sought the same relief requested in its claim.  The contractor initially filed a certified claim for damages resulting from the Government’s alleged breach of a design-build contract for construction of military facilities in Afghanistan.  The claim alleged that the Government breached the warranty of specifications and the implied duty of good faith and fair dealing by knowingly awarding a construction contract with an impossible deadline.  After the Government denied the claim, the contractor appealed to the Board and raised two additional theories of recovery in its complaint: breach of contract by failing to disclose superior knowledge; and commercial impracticability.

More than four years after a hearing on the merits was held, the Government moved to dismiss the appeal entirely, contending that the contractor’s four alternative theories of relief were each supported by different sets of operative facts, and were therefore four separate claims.  As separate claims, the Government contended, each had to independently meet the requirements of the Contracts Disputes Act (“CDA”), namely presentation to the contracting officer and separate sums certain.

The Board largely rejected the Government’s arguments, holding that it had jurisdiction to hear three of the contractor’s four theories of relief:  the assertions of breach of the warranty of specifications; breach of the implied duty of good faith and fair dealing; and failure to disclose superior knowledge, because all “[arose] from the same operative facts, claim essentially the same relief, and merely assert differing legal theories for that recovery.”  Scott Timber Co. v. United States, 333 F.3d 1358, 1365 (Fed. Cir. 2003).  The Board reiterated that within these constraints, the CDA permits contractors to assert new theories of relief during an appeal without having to present a new claim to the contracting officer.  The Board noted that it expects the parties will add factual details learned through the formal discovery process, and these new factual details do not affect its jurisdiction.  However, the Board dismissed the contractor’s argument that it was entitled to relief based on a theory of commercial impracticability, finding that a key element of proof under that theory was never presented to the contracting officer for decision.

The Board’s decision, coupled with the Federal Circuit’s recent decision in Tolliver Group, Inc. v. United States, 20 F.4th 771 (Fed. Cir. 2021) (which we reported on here and here) serve as reminders to contractors to invest in thorough and thoughtful claims assessments to mitigate against potential procedural challenges later in litigation.  This case is also another example of the occasional tension between the unique procedural requirements of the Contract Disputes Act, and the Act’s purpose of providing for the fair and efficient resolution of disputes.

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Photo of Nicole Owren-Wiest Nicole Owren-Wiest

Nicole Owren-Wiest is a partner and member of the Steering Committee of Crowell & Moring’s Government Contracts Group in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. Nicole is nationally ranked by Chambers USA in Government Contracts and a recognized leader in two of the most…

Nicole Owren-Wiest is a partner and member of the Steering Committee of Crowell & Moring’s Government Contracts Group in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. Nicole is nationally ranked by Chambers USA in Government Contracts and a recognized leader in two of the most complex areas in government contracting: accounting, cost, and pricing, and intellectual property/data rights. With over 20 years’ experience, Nicole has a broad counseling and dispute-resolution practice and leads the Group’s cost accounting practice, which focuses on helping clients navigate the government’s complex cost and pricing rules, including the FAR Part 31 cost principles, the Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and Truth in Negotiations Act/Truthful Cost or Pricing Data (defective pricing).

Photo of Erin Rankin Erin Rankin

Erin Rankin is a partner in the Government Contracts Group and is experienced in resolving government contract disputes with a particular focus on cost allowability, cost accounting issues, and DCAA audit findings. Erin also advises clients on all aspects of FAR and DFARS…

Erin Rankin is a partner in the Government Contracts Group and is experienced in resolving government contract disputes with a particular focus on cost allowability, cost accounting issues, and DCAA audit findings. Erin also advises clients on all aspects of FAR and DFARS compliance in connection with the administration, performance, and closing out of government contracts. Erin has extensive experience representing government contractors before the Boards of Contract Appeals, defending companies against False Claims Act allegations, conducting internal investigations, and advocating for clients in mandatory disclosures and suspension and debarment proceedings.

Photo of Catherine Shames Catherine Shames

Catherine O. Shames is an associate in the Washington, D.C. office of Crowell & Moring, where she is a member of the firm’s Government Contracts Group.

Catherine’s government contracts practice focuses on contract claims/disputes under the Contract Disputes Act (CDA), prime-sub disputes, transactional…

Catherine O. Shames is an associate in the Washington, D.C. office of Crowell & Moring, where she is a member of the firm’s Government Contracts Group.

Catherine’s government contracts practice focuses on contract claims/disputes under the Contract Disputes Act (CDA), prime-sub disputes, transactional due diligence, internal investigations, and disclosures under the Mandatory Disclosure Rule. She also assists contractors with cost allowability issues and responding to DCAA audits.