Opinion ID: 993747
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Computer Disks

Text: Although Zenith clearly bound itself contractually to suggest black and white documentation (it agreed to make a good faith effort to obtain Air Force acceptance of this proposal, see JA at 580), the understanding as to disk size appears to be little more than a gratuitous promise made by Dr. Lipkin to EDS, supported by no consideration. See, e.g., JA at 661-63 (Dr. Lipkin told EDS that he would present [the EDS disk proposal] to the Air Force and get a reaction to it.). As well, EDS later attempted in 1994 to negotiate a firm commitment from Zenith to the effect that Zenith would gain approval by the Air Force of computer disks of EDS's proposed size. JA at 577; 679-81; 713-14. This court can only conclude from the stated need for further, more concrete negotiations that EDS did not interpret Dr. Lipkin's earlier promise as anything more than a gratuitous promise lacking in consideration and, thus, unenforceable under the wellestablished rules of contract formation.5 Hence, as to the computer disks, we hold that Zenith had no contractual obligation to suggest Desktop IV modifications to the Air Force at all, much less to suggest them by submission of a formal, written proposal. Because no contract existed, EDS's breach of good faith and fair dealing claim as to the disks fails as a matter of law.