Opinion ID: 210547
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Warranty Work Under a Theory of Constructive Change, Equitable Adjustment, or Cardinal Change

Text: These theories require record evidence that the Air Force demanded work above and beyond that in the contract. Equitable adjustments are corrective measures that make a contractor whole when the Government modifies a contract. Ets-Hokin Corp. v. United States, 190 Ct.Cl. 668, 420 F.2d 716, 720 (1970). A constructive change occurs where a contractor performs work beyond the contract requirements without a formal order, either by an informal order or due to the fault of the Government. Miller Elevator Co. v. United States, 30 Fed.Cl. 662, 678 (1994). A cardinal change is a breach that occurs when the Government effects a change in the work so drastic that it effectiyely requires the contractor to perform duties materially different from those in the original bargain. Krygoski Constr. Co., Inc. v. United States, 94 F.3d 1537, 1543 (Fed.Cir.1996) The Desktop V contract no longer existed at the time that IDP performed post-termination warranty and upgrade services. Therefore, this work (not really even fairly characterized as additional to the contract) would not constitute a constructive, equitable, or cardinal change to the contract. Rather, IDP's warranty and upgrade work fell under express warranty and upgrade clauses of the contract. Thus, this court affirms the trial court's denial of recovery under each of these theories.