Source: https://www.justice.gov/jm/civil-resource-manual-70-contract-disputes-act
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 12:13:27+00:00

Document:
the disposal of personal property.
See 41 U.S.C. § 7102(a).
FN1. Contracts with the Tennessee Valley Authority and contracts with foreign entities may be excepted from the CDA under certain circumstances. 41 U.S.C. §§ 7102 (b) and (c).
The CDA sets forth a comprehensive system for resolving disputes between a contractor and a procuring agency relating to the performance of most procurement contracts. The starting point for resolving disputes under this system is the submission of a formal claim seeking a contracting officer's final decision. The claims of both the contractor and the agency must be the subject of a contracting officer's final decision. See 41 U.S.C. § 7103(a). A contractor dissatisfied with a contracting officer's final decision may appeal the decision to the appropriate agency board of contract appeals; such boards are specifically authorized by the CDA. 41 U.S.C. § 7105. Alternatively, the contractor, in lieu of appealing a contracting officer's decision to a board of contract appeals, may file suit on its claim in the United States Court of Federal Claims (CFC). 41 U.S.C. § 7104(b). [FN2] Wilner v. United States, 24 F.3d 1397 (Fed. Cir. 1994) (en banc). In both forums the claim is heard de novo. Id. If the contractor or the agency (with the approval of the Attorney General) wishes, either may appeal a decision of a board of contract appeals or the CFC to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC). 41 U.S.C. § 7107(a). See JM 4-4.220.
Where the claim arises under a maritime contract, jurisdiction over an appeal from a contracting officer's decision is governed by 41 U.S.C. § 7102(d), which confers jurisdiction in the district court.
In the case of a claim brought by the United States, the contractor-defendant who fails to appeal from the contracting officer's determination will be foreclosed from challenging that decision in litigation. See United States v. Ulvedal, 372 F.2d 31 (8th Cir. 1967); see also Zidell Exploration, Inc. v. United States, 427 F.2d 735, 739 (Ct. Cl. 1970). Questions concerning the CDA should be directed to the National Courts Section of the Commercial Litigation Branch (202-514-7300).

References: § 7102
 § 7103
 § 7105
 § 7104
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 § 7107
 § 7102
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