Opinion ID: 210547
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Quantum Meruit Based on an Implied-in-Fact Contract

Text: A recovery in quantum meruit is based on an implied-in-law contract. That is, a contract in which there is no actual agreement between the parties, but the law imposes a duty in order to prevent injustice. The Court of Federal Claims, however, lacks jurisdiction over contracts implied in law. 28 U.S.C. § 1491(a)(1) (2000). On the other hand, [w]here a benefit has been conferred by the contractor on the government in the form of goods or services, which it accepted, a contractor may recover at least on a quantum valebant or quantum meruit basis for the value of the conforming goods or services received by the government prior to the rescission of the contract for invalidity. The contractor is not compensated under the contract, but rather under an implied-in-fact contract. United Pac. Ins. Co. v. United States, 464 F.3d 1325, 1329-30 (Fed.Cir.2006). The Desktop V contract, however, is neither invalid nor unenforceable. Thus, this exception does not apply. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED THAT the trial court decision is AFFIRMED-IN-PART and REVERSED-IN-PART.