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Government Contracting Blog

(See also the articles page of this site)

NOT A LATENT AMBIGUITY

Readers of this blog understand that an ambiguity exists in a solicitation or a contract where there are two or more reasonable interpretations of the terms or specifications.  There are two types of possible ambiguities:  patent and latent.  A patent ambiguity exists where the solicitation or contract contains an obvious, gross or glaring error. The contractor is required to raise this ambiguity with the agency when it is discovered.  A latent ambiguity is more subtle, and

DISCUSSIONS WITH ONLY “BEST SUITED” VENDOR DEEMED OK

The Government Acountability Office (“GAO”) recently held that in a Federal Acquisition Regulation (“FAR”) Part 8.4 procurement, an agency can reasonably engage in exchanges with only the “best suited” vendor, when the solicitation (an RFQ) indicated that such exchanges might occur.  A Square Group, LLC, B-421792.5, April 11, 2025.  A Square Group (“ASG”) protested the issuance of a task order issued by the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Med

APPELLANT’S EMERGENCY SURGERY DOES NOT TOLL CONTRACT DISPUTES ACT APPEAL DATE

The Armed Services Board recently considered a contractor’s appeal that was submitted more than 90 days after the Contracting Officer’s final decision on the underlying claim.  The Board dismissed the appeal for lack of jurisdiction.  Logistics and Rental Car SARL, ASBCA No. 63950, April 9, 2025. Logistics was awarded a contract in 2019 by the Marine Corps (“USMC”) for the rental of non-tactical vehicles at Camp Lemonnier, Dijbouti, Africa.  The USMC and Logistics executed a

PROTESTER FAILED TO INCLUDE PRICES FOR REQUIRED CLINS AND AGENCY WAS NOT OBLIGATED TO REQUEST CLARIFICATION

The Government Accountability Office (“GAO”) recently denied a protest where a company failed to price in its proposal required Contract Line Items Numbers (“CLINs”), and the agency did not request clarifications.  GovTranz, LLC, B-423249. March 25, 2025.  The solicitation (a request for proposals, or “RFP”) was for ground wheelchair transportation services. The solicitation sought ground wheelchair transportation services for patients at a Veterans Affairs Meical Center in A

Additional Offering

In a Department of Commerce (“DOC”) procurement for technology services for a traffic coordination system, the non-selected contractor...

Latent Ambiguity

Ambiguity is an important concept in both a solicitation and in a contract.  There are two types of ambiguities—patent and latent.  Where...

SUPERIOR KNOWLEDGE BY GOVERNMENT FOUND

A recent case at the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals (the “Board”) found the Air Force liable for a superior knowledge claim on...

The website of Richard Donald Lieberman, a government contracts consultant and retired attorney who is the author of both "The 100 Worst Mistakes in Government Contracting" (with Jason Morgan) and "The 100 Worst Government Mistakes in Government Contracting." Richard Lieberman concentrates on Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) consulting and training, including  commercial item contracting (FAR Part 12), compliance with proposal requirements (FAR Part 15 negotiated procurement), sealed bidding (FAR Part 14), compliance with solicitation requirements, contract administration (FAR Part 42), contract modifications and changes (FAR Part 43), subcontracting and flowdown requirements (FAR Part 44), government property (FAR Part 45), quality assurance (FAR Part 46), obtaining invoiced payments owed to contractors,  and other compliance with the FAR. Mr.Lieberman is also involved in numerous community service activities.  See LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-d-lieberman-3a25257a/.This website and blog are for educational and information purposes only.  Nothing posted on this website constitutes legal advice, which can only be obtained from a qualified attorney. Website Owner/Consultant does not engage in the practice of law and will not provide legal advice or legal services based on competence and standing in the law. Legal filings and other aspects of a legal practice must be performed by an appropriate attorney. Using this website does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Although the author strives to present accurate information, the information provided on this site is not guaranteed to be complete, correct or up-to-date.  The views expressed on this blog are solely those of the author. FAR Consulting & Training, Bethesda, Maryland, Tel. 202-520-5780, rliebermanconsultant@gmail.com

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