Court Opinion

ID: 4413576
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-07-03 14:00:06.829598+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:46:16.499774
License: Public Domain

ARMED SERVICES BOARD OF CONTRACT APPEALS

Appeal of --                                 )
                                             )
CKC Systems, Inc.                            )      ASBCA No. 60977
                                             )
Under Contract No. SPRPA1-12-C-W059          )

APPEARANCE FOR THE APPELLANT:                       Ms. Jenny Cheng
                                                     President

APPEARANCES FOR THE GOVERNMENT:                     Daniel K. Poling, Esq.
                                                     DLA Chief Trial Attorney
                                                    Edward R. Murray, Esq.
                                                     Trial Attorney
                                                     DLA Aviation
                                                     Richmond, VA

                                                    SharifT. Dawson, Esq.
                                                     Trial Attorney
                                                     Defense Supply Center
                                                     Philadelphia, PA

               OPINION BY ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE OSTERHOUT

       This appeal arises from a contracting officer's (CO's) termination for default of
a contract for storage containers for helicopter main rotor blades (blade boxes)
between CKC Systems, Inc., (CKC or appellant) and the Defense Logistics Agency
(DLA or government). CKC alleges that the government caused CKC's delay due to a
change in the scope of the contract by requiring wooden skids in the container to have
a stamp on them in a visible location when the container is used at a warehouse. CKC
requests that the termination for default be converted to a termination for convenience
because of this alleged excused delay. The government argues that the stamp
markings were always required as part of the contract and that CKC failed to deliver
on time. The parties have elected to waive a hearing and submit the case upon the
record pursuant to Board Rule 11. We deny the appeal.

                                FINDINGS OF FACT

       1. On July 12, 2012, DLA issued contract number SPRPA1-12-C-W059 (the
contract) to CKC to produce 38 shipping and storage containers for main rotor blades for
the UH-1 and AH-lZ helicopters, under National Stock Number (NSN) 8145-01-563-8433
at contract line item number (CLIN) OOOlAA. The amount of the contract was
$174,347.04. (R4, tab 1)

      2. The contract contained a requirement for a first article test at CLIN OOOlAB,
which was not separately priced (R4, tab 1 at 2).

         3. The contract allowed for early and incremental deliveries (R4, tab 1 at 2).

        4. The contract required delivery of the first article within 60 calendar days of
the issuance of the contract (R4, tab 1 at 6). Thus, delivery of the first article was due
on September 10, 2012.

         5. The contract required delivery of 3 8 containers by February 5, 2014 (R4, tab 1
at 2).

      6. The contract award document stated that the contract consisted of CKC' s
proposal, solicitation number SPRPA1-12-R-W308 (the solicitation), and "this
award/contract" (R4, tab 1 at 1, block 18).

        7. The first sentence of the "Scope" section of the solicitation directed offerors,
"Should a conflict arise between the drawings the contract contact code 0771.17 and
the contracting officer for resolution." The "Scope'' section of the solicitation also
stated, "Articles to be furnished hereunder shall be manufactured, tested and inspected
in accordance with  drawing number (<05259>)
<775E001>, Revision  and all details and specifications referenced therein."
(R4, tab 11 at 5)

        8. Paragraph 1. 7 of the solicitation stated, "[w ]hen discrepancies exist between
these requirements and those on current manufacturer's drawings, these requirements
shall prevail" (R4, tab 11 at 5).

        9. Amendment No. 0001 of the solicitation, issued May 9, 2012, directed offerors
to the applicable drawings, which included drawing 775E002 (R4, tab 12 at 1, 3).
Drawing 775E002 referred to the wooden skids as items 17 and 18 (R4, tab 37 at 15).
Note 1 on the overview drawing in 775E002 stated, "Items 17 & 18 to be manufactured,
treated, and identified in compliance with ISPM No. 15" (R4, tab 37 at 8).

       10. The solicitation included NAVSUPWSSDA07, PRESERVATION, PACKING
AND MARKING (JAN 2012) (R4, tab 11 at 7). Paragraph 5 ofNAVSUPWSSDA07
included directions concerning wood packaging material. It directed offerors that the
International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 15 "Guidelines for
Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade" applied. Specifically, it
required ISPM 15 for all Wood Packaging Material (WPM) and:

                                             2
                                                                                              l
                                                                                              f
              WPM is defined as wood pallets, skids, load boards, pallet
              collars, wooden boxes, reels, dunnage, crates, frames, and
              cleats. Packaging materials exempt from the requirements
              are materials that have undergone a manufacturing
              process such as corrugated fiberboard, plywood,
              particleboard, veneer, and oriented strand board. All
              WPM shall be constructed from Heat Treated (HT to 56
              degrees Centigrade for 30 minutes) lumber and certified by
              an accredited agency recognized by the ALSC in
              accordance with Wood Packaging Material Policy and
              Wood Packaging Material Enforcement Regulations
              (http://www.alsc.org). All materials must include
              certification markings in accordance with ALSC standards
              and be placed in an unobstructed area that will be readily
              visible to inspectors. Pallet markings shall be applied to
              the stringer or block on diagonally opposite sides and ends
              of the pallet and be contrasting and clearly visible. All
              dunnage used in configuring and/or securing the load shall
              also comply with ISPM 15 and be marked with an ALSC
              approved DUNNAGE stamp. Failure to comply with the
              requirements of this restriction may result in refusal,
              destruction, or treatment of materials at the point of entry,
              possibly causing unacceptable delay in delivery of needed
              parts.

(R4, tab 11 at 9) (emphasis added)

       11. ISPM 15 is entitled "Regulation of Wood Packaging Material in International
Trade." The scope of the regulation states:

              This standard describes phytosanitary measures that reduce
              the risk of introduction and spread of quarantine pests
              associated with the movement in international trade of
              wood packaging material made from raw wood. Wood
              packaging material covered by this standard includes
              dunnage but excludes wood packaging made from wood
              processed in such a way that it is free from pests (e.g.,
              plywood).

(R4, tab 38 at 5)

                                           3
     12. Paragraph 2.1 ofISPM 15 contains a list of exemptions, including "wood
components permanently attached to freight vehicles and containers" (R4, tab 38 at 7).

        13. The contract incorporated by reference Federal Acquisition Regulation
(FAR) 52.249-8, DEFAULT (FIXED-PRICE SUPPLY AND SERVICE) (APR 1984), which
states:

                     (a)(l) The Government may, subject to paragraphs
              (c) and ( d) below, by written notice of default to the
              Contractor, terminate this contract in whole or in part if the
              Contractor fails to -

                     (i) Deliver the supplies or to perform the services
              within the time specified in this contract or any extension;

                      (ii) Make progress, so as to endanger performance
              of this contract (but see subparagraph (a)(2) below); or

                     (iii) Perform any of the other provisions of this
              contract (but see subparagraph (a)(2) below).

                     (2) The Government's right to terminate this
              contract under subdivisions (l)(ii) and (l)(iii) above, may
              be exercised if the Contractor does not cure such failure
              within 10 days (or more if authorized in writing by the
              Contracting Officer) after receipt of the notice from the
              Contracting Officer specifying the failure.

(R4, tab 1 at 13)

        14. In January 2014, the government released the first article test report,
concluding that the container met the requirements. While testing was conducted on
June 6, 2013, the record does not demonstrate when CKC delivered the first article for
testing. The report detailed dents and other potential issues with the blade boxes but
did not include a comprehensive list of what CKC did right to comply with the
contract. There was no mention of markings on the hardwood portion of the skids and
no photographs demonstrated whether the hardwood was appropriately labeled or not.
(R4, tab 16) Only one photograph showed the wooden portion of the skids, but it was
only part of the wooden portion so markings may have been visible in the part that was
not in the photograph (R4, tab 16 at 7). Thus, nothing in the record demonstrated
whether the skids were marked during the first article test or not.

                                            4
       15. On July 23, 2015, the government issued unilateral Modification No. POOOOl.
The modification was "to provide a revised delivery date of October 30, 2015 due to
mutual delay." The modification stated that the first article test was "granted" in
September 2014. The modification also included directions that earlier deliveries were
acceptable and that "[a]ll other terms and conditions remain the same." (R4, tab 2 at 1-2)

       16. On November 19, 2015, the government appeared to issue unilateral
Modification No. P00002. The modification in the record is unsigned. 1 This
modification extended the delivery date to December 1, 2015. (R4, tab 3)

       17. On December 1, 2015, the contract specialist emailed CKC. The contract
specialist inquired as to whether items had been shipped or if the contract was still
open. The contract specialist also requested that CKC submit a final invoice if
delivery had been made. (R4, tab 17)

      18. Also on December 1, 2015, CKC responded, "W059 is still an open contract.
We are close to completing them and will ship them in less than 6 months." (R4, tab 17)

        19. By letter dated December 3, 2015, the CO sent CKC a show cause letter for
the contract. The CO summarized the contract award and delivery date modifications.
The CO stated that the government was considering terminating the contract for
default. The CO stated:

                Pending a final decision in this matter, it will be necessary
                to determine whether your failure to perform arose from
                causes beyond your control and without fault or negligence
                on your part. Accordingly, you are given the opportunity to
                present, in writing, any facts bearing on the question to
                [the contract specialist], within 10 days after receipt of this
                notice. Your failure to present any excuses within this
                time may be considered as an admission that none exist.

(R4, tab 18)

        20. On December 14, 2015, CKC responded to the show cause letter. CKC
stated, "[t]he subject had [first article test] requirement and Government took an
extended 15 months to approve the [first article] due to various reasons." CKC also

1
    CKC did not dispute that this unsigned modification and all of the other unsigned
        modifications were part of the contract. Therefore, we accept these
        modifications as part of the contract but note which ones were unsigned in each
        fact.
                                              5
requested an extension until June 29, 2016, which appeared to be an administrative
error that should have been 2017. CKC stated four reasons it was late:

              1. Contingencies that were out of our control.

             2. Delay was caused by our allocation of resources to
             fulfill other Government urgent need and so compromises
             this schedule.

             3. 80% materials are in-house and remaining is promised
             within 45 days.

             4. CKC is planning to assemble the units once completed
             fabrications.

(R4, tab 19) CKC promised to provide a spreadsheet with revised delivery schedules
for this contract and other contracts that had received show cause notices on
December 16, 2015.

      21. On December 16, 2015, CKC provided a spreadsheet of when it anticipated
completing the contracts in which it was behind schedule. CKC requested that the
government extend the delivery date for the blade boxes to 19 delivered by
February 2016 and 19 delivered by April 2016. (R4, tab 20)

       22. On December 22, 2015, the CO sent CKC a letter which notified CKC that
the government would accept a delivery date of June 29, 2016, in exchange for a
reduction of$1,748.00 in the contract price (R4, tab 21).

        23. On December 22, 2015, the government appeared to issue unilateral
Modification No. P00003. The modification in the record is unsigned. This
modification stated that it was issued in accordance with CKC's correspondence, dated
December 18, 2015, to set forth a new delivery schedule with consideration of reduced
contract pricing for CLIN OOOlAA. The new delivery date was June 29, 2016. The
unit price was reduced by $46.00 to $4,542.08 for a reduction of $1,748.00. The total
price changed from $174,347.00 to $172,599.04. The modification also stated, "All
other terms and conditions will remain the same. Earlier delivery will be accepted but
will not be considered expedited shipments." (R4, tab 4 at 1-2)

       24. On March 28, 2016, the government appeared to issue unilateral
Modification No. P00004. The modification in the record is unsigned. This
modification updated the delivery address for CLIN OOOlAA but did not change any
other portions of the contract. (R4, tab 5 at 1-2)

                                          6
       25. On July 7, 2016, the government issued unilateral Modification No. P00005.
This modification changed the delivery date for CLIN OOOlAA to July 29, 2016. The
modification stated, "No consideration is required; the due date is extended due to a
delay in the DCMA inspection." (R4, tab 6)

        26. On August 9, 2016, the contract specialist sent CKC an email asking
whether CKC would accept a no-cost cancellation on the contract. CKC answered that
it disagreed and attempted to "paint [] a better picture" of the status of the contract by
explaining where each blade box was in the process. CKC asked for another extension.
this time for 2 months, stating, "And if you and your team is open, we are willing to
offer 1% consideration to extend for just the additional 2 months." (R4, tab 24)

      27. On August 17, 2016, the government issued unilateral Modification
No. P00006. This modification corrected CLIN OOOlAA referenced in Modification
Nos. P00004 and P00005 to CLIN OOOlAC but all other terms and conditions
remained the same. (R4, tab 7)

       28. On September 1, 2016, the government issued unilateral Modification
No. P00007. This modification modified the delivery schedule for consideration of a
reduction in the contract price of $1,748.00 and restructured the CLINs. According to this
modification, CLIN OOOlAA was canceled in its entirety by Modification No. P00004.
CLIN 0001 AB, the first article test, had already been delivered and approved. And CLIN
OOOlAC for 38 units had been due on July 29, 2016, with a unit price of $4,542.00 each.
The new delivery schedule reduced the number of units in CLIN OOOlAC to 10,
established CLINs OOOlAD and OOOlAE, and reduced the unit price to $4,496.08 each.
Therefore, the modification required 10 units be delivered by October 31, 2016, under
CLIN OOOlAC, 2016; 14 units delivered by November 30, 2016, under CLIN OOOlAD;
and 14 units delivered by January 2, 2016, under CLIN OOOlAE. (R4, tab 8)

        29. On September 14, 2016, after observing non-compliance with the contract
during an inspection on September 8, 2016, the government issued Corrective Action
Request (CAR), 4 7 days prior to the delivery date for the first ten units reference
number 5BN8120160003, which described problems with the blade boxes and stated,
in relevant part, "Container skids, per drawing, Base Assembly 775E002, are required
to be hardwood, manufactured, treated and identified per ISPM No. 15." The
non-compliance description stated, in relevant part, "Container skids not correct type
wood per drawing and not manufactured, treated and marked per ISPM No. 15." A
response was required by October 4, 2016. (R4, tab 26 at 1)

      30. On October 4, 2016, CKC sent the government a response to the CAR.

                                            7
Concerning the skids, CKC stated:

              Drawing 77 5E002- l 7 & -18 specifies hardwood identified
              per ISPM No. 15 which exempt these skids (2.1
              Exemptions ISPM 15) from this standard. However, all
              skids are made to size by CKC from the hardwood
              (Grade# 1 Common by American Hardwood Expert
              Council, Grade 4 is identified) bearing the stamp required
              by ISPM No. 15 (indicated heat treated, etc[.]). Photo of
              stamp on wood can be provided. CKC consider[ s]
              compliance to the drawing requirement for the skids.

(R4, tab 27 at 1, 4)

      31. On October 4, 2016, the government issued unilateral Modification No. P00008,
which corrected the delivery date for CLIN 000 lAE in Modification No. P00007 from
January 2, 2016 to January 2, 2017 (R4, tab 9).

       32. On October 5, 2016, the government rejected CKC's response to the CAR
and requested a new answer by October 12, 2016 (R4, tab 27 at 1).

        33. On October 12, 2016, CKC responded to the CAR again. Regarding the
skids, CKC stated, "CKC believes that it met the drawing requirement and is seeking
clarification from PCO Engineer, may result with RFV. (CKC made skids from upper
grade/type hard wood treated per ISPM 15, [(]Grade 4 is lowest grade hard wood; skid
is exempt from ISPM No. 15))." (R4, tab 28 at 2)

        34. In its undated request for clarification from the engineers, CKC highlighted
ISPM 15 exemption 2.1 "The following articles are of sufficiently low risk to be exempted
from the provisions of this standard[]: [w]ood components permanently attached to
freight vehicles and containers." CKC explained, "The skid is permanently attached to the
container by four bolts/nuts and so no identification is required per the ISPM No. 15."
CKC included photographs for reference. CKC asked if it met the requirements or not and
asked for a waiver if it did not meet the requirements. (R4, tab 29)

       3 5. On October 21, 2016, CKC sent the contract specialist an email asking for
"some clarification from Engineering Dept. in regards to a wooden skid issue on
SPRPA1-12-C-W059." The email references an attachment but the record does not
contain an attachment. (R4, tab 30)

                                          8
        36. On October 26, 2016, the contract specialist responded to CKC's email,
stating:

               I've received the following in response to your request for
               clarification: "N241 has reviewed the request. Note 1
               states Items 17 & 18 to be Treated and Identified in
               Compliance with ISPM 15. The specification cited is
               commercial and the Navy does not recognize the
               exemptions. The wood skids must have a stamp on them
               or they will be frustrated once they reach the warehouse
               (DLA and bonded)"

(R4, tab 30)

       37. By letter dated November 7, 2016, the CO sent CKC a show cause letter.
The CO stated that CKC had missed the first delivery of 10 units that was due on
October 31, 2016, and that 14 units were due on November 30, 2016, and another 14
units were due on January 2, 2016. The CO stated that the government was
considering terminating the contract for default. The CO stated:

               Pending a final decision in this matter, it will be necessary
               to determine whether your failure to perform arose from
               causes beyond your control and without fault or negligence
               on your part. Accordingly, you are given the opportunity
               to present, in writing, any facts bearing on the question to
               [the contract specialist], within 10 days after receipt of this
               notice. Your failure to present any excuses within this
               time may be considered as an admission that none exist.

(R4, ta~ 31) The CO directed that a reply must be received by November 17, 2016.

       38. On November 14, 2016, CKC issued a purchase order to Bentco Pallet &
Crate LLC (Bentco) for 100 each "heat treated hardwood (grade 4 min.) per ISPM no
15; 3.62 x 2.62 x 38.50; stamp both ends" and 39 each "heat treat and stamp both ends
on hardwood per ISPM no 15" (R4, tab 61).

        39. On November 17, 2016, CKC sent a reply to the show cause letter. CKC
stated, "During the course of receiving clarification on a 'skid' issue, DLA noted that
'the wood skids must have a stamp on them or they will be frustrated once they reach
the warehouse (DLA and bonded)." CKC explained:

               Our wood skids had already been machined prior to this
               request, so some of the stamped skids had been partially

                                             9
              removed during the machining process. Unfortunately, the
              vendor who supplied the wood no longer existed, so a
              request for an additional stamp on our existing wood skids
              was not possible. As a result, CKC had to purchase from a
              new vendor in addition to the stamping where it will be
              easily visible, even after completion of the machining the
              wood. Due to the new vendor, the QAR is also requiring
              documentation, and we are in the process of satisfying the
              documentation request.

(R4, tab 32) CKC offered to reduce the contract price by $1,000 for an additional
extension. The additional extension would consist of CLIN OOOlAC's 10 units due
on December 16, 2016; CLIN OOOlAD's 14 units due on January 31, 2017; and
CLIN OOOlAE's 14 units due on February 28, 2017. Nothing in the record demonstrates
that CKC included estimates of when the new, heat treated wood might arrive, or that it
could meet any of the remaining delivery dates.

        40. On November 23, 2016, nine days after receipt of the purchase order, Bentco
delivered and CKC received 39 pieces of heat treated wood, stamped US-11-577 (R4,
tab 62 at 1) and 100 pieces of hardwood per ISPM 15 stamped US-11-577 (R4, tab 62
at 4 ). Bentco included certification documents to demonstrate that the hardwood met
ISPM 15 standards (R4, tab 62 at 2, 5).

       41. On December 7, 2016, the CO sent CKC a letter notifying it that it was
terminated for default. The letter stated that this was the contracting officer's final
decision and provided appeal rights for the Board. (R4, tab 34)

       42. Also on December 7, 2016, CKC responded to the termination letter,
requesting that the contract not be terminated because "'it would be in the best interest
of both parties that this contract be completed by CKC" because 10 units were
complete already. CKC explained, "During your review of our Show Cause Response,
we had to overcome the stamps issue for all the skids to accommodate the depot's
requests." CKC stated that 10 units were ready and a source inspection was scheduled
for December 7, 2016, but stopped due to the termination letter. CKC provided a new
delivery schedule of delivering: 10 units by December 16, 2016, under CLIN 000 lAC;
14 units by January 31, 2017, under CLIN OOOlAD; and 14 units by February 28,
2017, underCLIN OOOlAE. (R4, tab 35 at 1)

       43. Also on December 7, 2016, the government issued unilateral Modification
No. P00009. This modification terminated the contract for default. The modification
included the standard statement concerning appeal rights. (R4, tab 10)

                                            10
       44. On December 22, 2016, CKC appealed the CO's final decision and the ·
appeal was docketed as ASBCA No. 60977.

        45. On February 13, 2018, the CO issued a new final decision, which allowed
for payment of 10 units but maintained the termination for default for the remaining 28
units. The CO stated that during discovery conducted as part of the appeal, it became
apparent that CKC attempted to deliver the 10 blade boxes referenced in CLIN 000 lAC
prior to termination of the contract. Thus, the CO decided to pay CKC for the 10 blade
boxes for which CKC attempted delivery. The CO stated that "on December 8, 2016, I
issued a final decision demanding a return of $100,151 in progress payments pursuant
to another contract terminated for default, Contract SPRPA l-12-C-W008." The CO
stated that these funds had not yet been returned to the government so the CO reduced
the amount owed by $44,960.86, the amount owed to CKC for 10 blade boxes under
CLIN 000 lAC. This reduced the amount CKC purportedly owed the government to
$55,190.14 under contract SPRPA1-12-C-W008, a contract not subject to this appeal.
(R4, tab 65 at 1-2)

      46. On March 16, 2018, CKC requested the government reconsider the
February 2018 final decision and accept the final 28 boxes. CKC stated that it included
photographs that demonstrated that it was close to finishing the remaining 28 boxes.
The government indicated that it would "stand by the final decision." (R4, tab 67)

                                       DECISION

        The legal standards for a termination for default are well established. Under the
default clause, here FAR 52.249-8 DEFAULT (FIXED-PRICE SUPPLY AND SERVICE)
(APR 1984 ), the government may terminate for default by written notice if the
contractor fails, without excuse, to: deliver supplies within the time specified or any
extension; make progress, as to endanger performance of the contract; or perform any
other provisions of the contract. For the latter two categories, the government may
exercise its right to terminate if the contractor does not cure the failure within 10 days
after receiving notice from the contracting officer that specifies the failure.

       Termination for default "is a drastic sanction which should be imposed (or
sustained) only for good grounds and on solid evidence." Lisbon Contractors, Inc. v.
United States, 828 F.2d 759, 765 (Fed. Cir. 1987) (quoting J.D. Hedin Constr. Co. v.
United States, 408 F .2d 424, 431 (Ct. Cl. 1969) (further citations omitted). While CKC
appealed the contracting officer's decision, "a termination for default is essentially a
government claim." Thunderstruck Signs, ASBCA No. 61027, 17-1 BCA ,i 36,835 at
179,504. Thus, the government maintains the burden of proving that a termination for
default was justified, by a preponderance of the evidence. Id. (citing DayDanyon
Corp., ASBCA No. 57681, 15-1 BCA ,i 36,073 at 176,151; Keystone Capital Services,
ASBCA No. 56565, 09-1 BCA ,i 34,130 at 168,753 (citing Lisbon Contractors, 828

                                           11

                                                                                             I
F.2d at 765). Should the government establish the prima facie case to justify the
termination, '"the burden shifts to the contractor to prove the default was excusable."
Truckla Services Inc., ASBCA Nos. 57564, 57752, 17-1 BCA ,r 36,638 at 178,445
(citing ADT Constr. Grp., Inc., ASBCA No. 55358, 13 BCA i135,307 at 173,312).

        Here, the government established a prima facie case to justify the termination
for default. After a number of modifications granting CKC extensions, the last
delivery schedule the government agreed to was: 10 units be delivered by October 31,
2016, under CLIN OOOlAC; 14 units delivered by November 30, 2016, under
CLIN OOOlAD; and 14 units delivered by January 2, 2017, under CLIN OOOlAE
(findings 28, 31). When CKC failed to deliver the first ten units by October 31, 2016,
the government issued a show cause letter pursuant to the requirements of the FAR
and the contract (finding 37). When CKC responded to the show cause letter, it did
not state how it would meet the remaining delivery dates but instead provided yet
another delayed schedule (finding 39). CKC's first attempt at delivery of the first 10
units under CLIN OOOIAC occurred on December 7, 2017 (finding 42). CKC did not
attempt delivery of the other units and CLINs. Thus, CKC failed to deliver the units
on time and the government established the prima facie case to justify the termination.

       The burden then shifts to CKC to demonstrate that its failure to timely deliver
was excusable. To establish that CKC is entitled to excusable delay, it must
demonstrate that the delay resulted from a cause which was unforeseeable, beyond the
control of the contractor, and without fault or negligence by the contractor. Sauer Inc.
v. Danzig, 224 F.3d 1340, 1345 (Fed. Cir. 2000). CKC argues that its delay is
excusable because of changed contract conditions. Specifically, CKC argues that the
government imposed a stricter requirement than the contract required because ISPM
15 provided an exemption for '"wood components permanently attached to freight
vehicles and containers" and the hardwood skids were permanently attached by four
bolts and nuts. 2 (Finding 34)

2
    In its initial brief, CKC stated, '"The first article took government one and half
           year[ s] to approve due to lack of funding and its availability at that time to do
           the testing. Finally, the first article sample was returned to CKC but badly
           damaged to a point that it could not be refurnished to become a production
           unit." (App. br. at ,r 2) None of this information was contained in CKC's
           complaint or referenced in the record. Nevertheless, the government extended
           the contract several times after the first article test was completed so this
           allegation was resolved with the issuance of further modifications and should
           not have impacted the rationale for the termination for default (findings 20-23).
           Further, even if this had impacted CKC's performance, the government
           accepted CKC's estimates on how long it would take to complete the blade
           boxes and extended the contract by that amount of time at least three times
           (findings 20-23, 27-28).
                                               12
       Unfortunately for CKC, the requirement for marking the hardwood was
contained within the contract; therefore, CKC's own actions of not complying with the
contract caused the delay. CKC is correct that the contract directed it to follow the
requirements contained in ISPM 15. The drawings and solicitation both required
compliance with ISPM 15. (Findings 9-10) However, even if the exemption CKC
references in ISPM 15 applied, CKC was responsible for marking the wooden skids
because the contract also contained other clauses and directions that require more
stringent requirements to mark the hardwood (finding 10)

        NA VSUPWSSDA07 was included in the solicitation and provided offerors
with directions concerning wood packaging and was incorporated in the contract
(finding 10). It directed offerors to comply with ISPM 15 but it provided further
details concerning what exceptions were allowed. Specifically, it stated, "Packaging
materials exempt from the requirements are materials that have undergone
manufacturing process such as corrugated fiberboard, plywood, particle board, veneer,
and oriented strand board." Thus, the exceptions were narrower than the exemptions
permitted in ISPM 15. (Finding 10) This acquisition does not meet the narrower
exceptions contained in the contract because, by CKC' s own admission, the contract
required hardwood, not the materials excepted by the clause (finding 30).

       NAVSUPWSSDA07 also stated, "All materials must include certification
markings in accordance with ALSC standards and be placed in an unobstructed area
that will be readily visible to inspectors" (finding 10) Thus, the contract required
markings.

       Further, the solicitation also stated, "When discrepancies exist between these
requirements and those on current manufacturer's drawings, these requirements shall
prevail" (finding 8). Therefore, the markings on the drawings directing offerors to
comply with ISPM 15 do not provide an avenue to rely upon the exemption listed in
ISPM 15.

        Additionally, it was within CKC's control to fix the issue once it became aware
of the requirement to mark the hardwood. The government's CAR concerning the lack
of markings on the hardwood was issued on September 14, 2016, which was 47 days
prior to the delivery date of the first ten units (finding 29). Instead of ordering wood in
compliance with the contract at that time, CKC sent numerous questions to the
government about whether the markings were actually required (findings 30, 33-35).
CKC issued a purchase order for the new wood on November 14, 2016 (finding 38).
That wood was delivered nine days later, on November 23, 2016 (finding 40). CKC
had ten units ready for inspection by December 7, 2016 (finding 42), fifteen days after
receiving the wood. If CKC had ordered the contract-compliant wood shortly after
receiving the CAR, it could have met the October 31, 2016, and subsequent delivery
dates.

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       Based on all of these portions of the specifications and drawings, the contract
required the markings be placed in an unobstructed area that was readily visible to
inspectors. The government did not change the contract. Further, decisions CKC
made caused the delay in the contract, once CKC was aware of the noncompliant
hardwood markings. Thus, appellant has failed to demonstrate that it is entitled to an
excusable delay and the termination for default is justified.

                                    CONCLUSION

       The appeal is denied.

       Dated: June 20, 2019

                                                  HEIDI L STERHOUT
                                                  Administrative Judge
                                                  Armed Services Board
                                                  of Contract Appeals

                                                  I concur

                                                  OWEN C. WILSON
                                                  Administrative Judge
                                                  Vice Chairman
 Armed Services Board                             Armed Services Board
 of Contract Appeals                              of Contract Appeals

      I certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the Opinion and Decision of the
Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals in ASBCA No. 60977, Appeal of CKC
Systems, Inc., rendered in conformance with the Board's Charter.

      Dated:

                                                  PAULLA K. GATES-LEWIS
                                                  Recorder, Armed Services
                                                  Board of Contract Appeals

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