Opinion ID: 805808
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Attorneys’ Fees Issue—The Case Before Us

Text: The EAJA provides that, when a timely application is filed, an eligible prevailing party shall be awarded attorneys’ fees and other expenses incurred by that party in any civil action brought by or against the United States “unless the court finds that the position of the United States was substantially justified . . . .” 28 U.S.C. § 2412(d)(1)(A). The purpose of the Act is to ensure that litigants “will not be deterred from seeking review of, or defending against, unjustified governmental action 7 DGR ASSOCIATES v. US because of the expense involved.” Scarborough v. Principi, 541 U.S. 401, 407 (2004).
DGR timely filed its application for attorneys’ fees and costs under the EAJA based on its successful bid protest against the Air Force in the Court of Federal Claims. DGR, 97 Fed. Cl. at 217. As noted, that court ruled that DGR was entitled to attorneys’ fees and associated costs because the Government’s position in the bid protest was not substantially justified. Id. at 217-20. Specifically, the court held that the Government’s jurisdictional argument “was patently unreasonable, and not substantially justified,” and that the Government’s merits-based argument also “was not reasonable” in view of the “unambiguous wording of the statute, and the existing case law precedent.” Id. at 219. The court awarded DGR $37,227.72 in attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses, comprised of attorneys’ fees for 210 hours at an hourly rate of $175 based on a cost of living adjustment, and $477.72 in costs and expenses. Id. at 220-21. The Government appeals the award. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1295(a)(3).