SBA Final Rule on Size Standards
INTRODUCTION As of 23 December 2013, the Small Business Administration (SBA) has changed the size standards for certified small businesses in the Utilities and Construction sectors. What…
Unauthorized Commitments
INTRODUCTION As defined under FAR 1.602-3(a), Unauthorized Commitments: “…means an agreement that is not binding solely because the Government representative who made it lacked the authority to…
Implied Duty of Good Faith and Fair Dealing
INTRODUCTION This article is a supplement to the Differing Site Conditions newsletter provided by Excell because the Implied Duty of Good Faith and Fair Dealing has just…
Site Visit vs. Differing Site Conditions
INTRODUCTION This article is in all probability one of the most important ever generated by Excell because the issues of Order of Precedence, Site Visit Responsibilities, and…
Prompt Payment Act
INTRODUCTION The Prompt Payment Act was enacted in 1982 and has been amended (1988). Its purpose is designed to ensure that Government organizations issue timely payment to…
Bid Protest Process
INTRODUCTION In its September 2013 issue, the NCMA (National Contract Management Association) re-published an article from the Spring 2013 issue of The Public Contract Law Journal (GW…
Fraud & Debarment
INTRODUCTION Fraud committed by a Government contractor can lead to Debarment of a contractor by the Federal Government. Examples of Fraudulent activity perpetuated by a Government contractor…
Ratification, Changes, and Unauthorized Commitments
INTRODUCTION On occasion, a contractor has likely experienced a Government representative requesting a change to the work outlined in a construction contract. If the additional work requested…
Timing and Proper Filing of Claims – Consequences of Misunderstanding
INTRODUCTION A contractor needs to understand proper procedure and timing when filing a claim against the Government. The claim process can be difficult for a contractor to…
Stop-work Orders – How will you manage the return to work?
THE 30-DAY PERIOD TO FILE A CLAIM INTRODUCTION Some contractors may not be aware that in the event of a stop-work order, if the order is lifted,…