Contract Claims and Disputes

Our government contract attorneys represent clients in claims, disputes, requests for equitable adjustment, contract terminations, and settlements. Centre has over 25 years of proven government contracts law experience, representing hundreds of clients before all major tribunals, including the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, Agency Boards of Contract Appeals, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), and Small Business Administration.

Claims and Disputes

Our government contract attorneys represent clients around the world and domestically in claims, disputes, requests for equitable adjustment, contract terminations, and settlements.

In summary, a claim against the U.S. Government is a written demand for payment that is governed by the Contract Disputes Act of 1978 and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). The FAR states in subpart 2.101: “Claim” means a written demand or written assertion by one of the contracting parties seeking, as a matter of right, the payment of money in a sum certain, the adjustment or interpretation of contract terms, or other relief arising under or relating to the contract. However, a written demand or written assertion by the contractor seeking the payment of money exceeding $100,000 is not a claim under 41 U.S.C. chapter 71, Contract Disputes, until certified as required by the statute. A voucher, invoice, or another routine request for payment that is not in dispute when submitted is not a claim. The submission may be converted to a claim, by written notice to the contracting officer as provided in 33.206(a), if it is disputed either as to liability or amount or is not acted upon in a reasonable time.

Learn More About Government Contract Claims and Disputes

Claims and Disputes FAQs

The Federal Acquisition Regulation does not define it. Generally, an equitable adjustment seeks to adjust the contract price or the delivery scheduled based upon a change to the contract. The requests may occur when there are increased direct costs of added work, work is deleted, or not performed, there are Government-caused delays or other changes to the contract.

Contractors who file claims against the U.S. Government must properly certify them. If a claim is not certified, the contracting officer may deny it and the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals may not have jurisdiction.
There are many important differences. The two most important differences are that a request for equitable adjustment is considered as a contractual remedy so the contractor may be entitled to reimbursement for some of the costs associated with its preparation. Claims are considered an actual dispute, and while contractors are not entitled to preparation costs, they may be entitled to interest on the final amount.
Our Claims and Disputes Legal Experts are ready to assist you! Feel free to give us a call at 703-280-2800 for a free consultation.

Centre's Claims and Disputes Experts

Managing Partner

Barbara Kinosky

Barbara Kinosky, Esq., is the Managing Partner of Centre Law and a highly experienced professional with over thirty years of representing clients in various federal government contracting issues, disputes, and protests. Barbara has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to federal government contracting and was voted into the American Bar Foundation as a Fellow, an honor limited to the top 1% of licensed attorneys.Barbara Kinosky is a nationally renowned speaker, author, expert witness, and AAA Arbitrator specializing in complex prime...

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Our attorneys have over 30 years of experience in claims and disputes and are ready to assist you today.