A recent decision from the U. S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, is a MUST READ for any lawyer or construction executive involved with joint ventures (“JV’s”). This decision provides a rare, detailed look into the contentious dynamics at play when JV relationships go bad. The case also discusses how the relationships
Lee-Ann C. Brown
Lee-Ann Brown focuses her practice on construction and government contracts. She represents general contractors, subcontractors, sureties, and owners, in both the prosecution and defense of claims on public and private construction projects. In her construction practice, she has represented and counseled contractors in cases involving federal and state Miller Act and Prompt Payment Act claims, complex contractual disputes, compliance concerns, litigation, settlement, and dismissal of claims. View articles by Lee-Ann.
The Little Tucker Act Is Alive and Well
Most government contract lawyers are already familiar with the Tucker Act (28 U.S.C. § 1491), which gives the U.S. Court of Federal Claims jurisdiction over many non-tort claims against the United States, including contract disputes, Fifth Amendment takings, tax refunds, and other matters. But another Tucker Act is often overlooked: the Little Tucker…
Absent Timely Revocation, Government Acceptance Is Conclusive
In a recent decision, the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals issued a summary judgment ruling in a case involving government claims relating to the contractor’s supply of thermal sight systems for armored vehicles. The government contended that some of the sights were defective while others were delivered late.
As to the allegedly defective…
Subcontractor Certification of Pass-Through Claim — Defective but Correctable
In June, the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals (ASBCA) addressed whether it had jurisdiction where a subcontractor pass-through claim was certified under the Contract Disputes Act (CDA) by the subcontractor’s president, not the prime contractor’s representative. In its motion to dismiss, the government argued that under the CDA, only the prime contractor could certify…
“Force” and Foremost: COVID-19 and Force Majeure in Construction Contracts
Since our last article, fear of the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread as rapidly as the disease itself. Within the last few days, President Trump declared a national emergency and announced the steps the Executive Office is taking to respond to the outbreak. The virus and the efforts taken to prevent its proliferation are…
The Contractor’s Coronavirus Checklist
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues to dominate global headlines and markets. In the U.S., COVID-19 has prompted two governors to declare states of emergency; tragically claimed the lives of multiple U.S. residents; and has been reported in 10 states and counting. Due to the growing impact of the coronavirus, commercial contractors would be wise to…
Protest Sustained: VA Based “Rule of Two” Determination on Canceled Set-Aside Solicitation
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently sustained a protest that challenged the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) failure to set aside an acquisition for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) or Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSB). Under the Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act of 2006 (VA Act), 38 U.S.C. §§ 8127-8128, the VA must…
Can You Challenge a CPAR Evaluation in a Bid Protest?
Technically, no. However, when the contractor is protesting the award of a contract for the same agency that issued the unfavorable Contractor Performance Evaluation Report (CPAR), the contractor may have some success arguing that there was a conflict of interest.
In a very recent decision, the Court of Federal Claims dismissed most of the claims…
CPARS Evaluations: Are You Stuck with What You Get?
Part 42.15 of the FAR entitles federal contractors to submit comments and receive agency review of an unfavorable performance evaluation in the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS). If the contractor’s rebuttal is unsuccessful, the contractor may challenge the CPARS rating by submitting a claim to the contracting officer (CO) under the Contract Disputes Act.…
Federal Court Expresses Public Policy Concern Regarding Economic Loss Rule
In Prestress Services Industries of TN, LLC v. W.G. Yates & Sons Construction Co., 280 F.Supp.3d 908 (N.D. Miss. 2017), the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi faced a “rather interesting issue of tort law” involving the economic loss rule that has not been addressed by either the Mississippi Supreme…