Federal government contracts represent some of the most significant and legally demanding business relationships in the country. Whether you are a small business competing for your first set-aside award or an established defense contractor with decades of federal performance history, a dispute with a government agency can put everything on the line — your revenue, your bonding capacity, your past-performance ratings, and your ability to compete for future contracts.
At Granfield Legal Services, government contracts litigation is a core part of what we do. We represent federal contractors at every stage of a dispute — from pre-award bid protests through final judgment at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims or a Board of Contract Appeals. We know the regulations, the agencies, and the courts. And we know how to win.
The federal procurement system is structured with the government’s interests in mind. A contractor who walks into a dispute without experienced counsel walks in at a serious disadvantage.
Government Contract Disputes We Handle
Our practice covers the full range of disputes that arise between federal contractors and the United States government, including:
Bid Protest Attorney
Challenge improper federal contract awards at the GAO, the Court of Federal Claims, or the agency level. The 10-day GAO deadline is unforgiving — contact us the moment you learn the basis for protest.
Contract Termination Defense
Fighting a wrongful termination for default, or maximizing recovery under a termination for convenience. We pursue every dollar of allowable costs, profit, and settlement expenses owed to you.
Equitable Adjustment & CDA Claims
Requests for Equitable Adjustment and certified Contract Disputes Act claims for changed conditions, constructive changes, government-caused delays, and differing site conditions.
False Claims Act Defense
Defending contractors against FCA allegations, qui tam whistleblower lawsuits, and Department of Justice investigations involving federal contract fraud allegations.
Suspension & Debarment Defense
Protecting your eligibility to compete for government work. We respond to show-cause letters and represent contractors before Suspension and Debarment Officials (SDOs).
Board & Court of Federal Claims Appeals
Litigation before the ASBCA, CBCA, and other Boards of Contract Appeals, and at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims under the Contract Disputes Act.
What Is a Bid Protest — and Do You Have One?
A bid protest is a formal legal challenge to a federal agency’s decision about who wins a government contract. If you believe a contract was awarded to a less-qualified offeror, that the agency made evaluation errors, applied unstated criteria, or otherwise violated the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) or Competition in Contracting Act (CICA), you may have strong grounds for protest.
Bid protests can be filed at three venues: directly with the contracting agency (Agency-Level Protest), with the Government Accountability Office (GAO Bid Protest), or at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Each has different procedures, timelines, and strategic advantages. Choosing the right forum — and acting fast enough to get there — requires experienced federal procurement counsel.
A successful bid protest can result in corrective action by the agency, a re-evaluation of proposals, reopening of the competitive range, or a new award. Our attorneys have handled protests across DOD, VA, DHS, GSA, and numerous civilian agencies under FAR Parts 14 and 15.
Contract Terminations: Default vs. Convenience
A termination for default is one of the most serious adverse actions a federal contracting officer can take. It can eliminate your past-performance record, expose your company to liability for excess re-procurement costs, and trigger claims by your surety. Yet many terminations for default are legally flawed — issued without proper cure notices, based on government-caused delays, or unsupported by the record — and can be converted to terminations for convenience through skilled litigation.
Even a termination for convenience requires aggressive advocacy to ensure full recovery. The government’s initial settlement offer almost never reflects the full measure of what a contractor is owed. Before you accept any settlement — or before the deadline to appeal passes — speak with a government contracts attorney.
False Claims Act Defense for Federal Contractors
The False Claims Act (31 U.S.C. §§ 3729–3733) imposes treble damages and civil penalties on any contractor who knowingly submits a false or fraudulent claim to the federal government. As compliance obligations multiply — CMMC cybersecurity certifications, Buy American Act requirements, small business subcontracting plans — the surface area for FCA exposure has grown dramatically.
FCA cases can begin with a Civil Investigative Demand (CID) from the Department of Justice, a qui tam lawsuit filed under seal by a whistleblower, or an audit referral from an inspector general. Early intervention by experienced FCA defense counsel is critical. The decisions made in the first weeks of an investigation — including whether and how to cooperate — can determine the outcome of the entire case.
Government Contract Appeal Deadlines You Cannot Miss
Unlike most civil litigation, government contract appeals operate on strict statutory deadlines. Missing them is not a procedural misstep — it eliminates the forum’s jurisdiction and forfeits your claim entirely.
Days — GAO Bid Protest Deadline
Most GAO protests must be filed within 10 calendar days of the date you knew or should have known the basis for your protest. This is among the tightest deadlines in federal law.
Days — Debarment & Suspension Response
Contractors notified of proposed debarment typically have 30 days to submit a written response. A strong, timely response can be the difference between continued eligibility and years of exclusion.
Days — Board of Contract Appeals (BCA)
An appeal from a Contracting Officer’s Final Decision (COFD) must be filed at the appropriate Board of Contract Appeals within 90 days. This deadline is jurisdictional and cannot be waived.
Months — U.S. Court of Federal Claims
As an alternative to a Board appeal, you may bring a CDA claim at the Court of Federal Claims within 12 months of a COFD. Choosing the right forum for your dispute is itself a critical strategic decision.
Why Granfield Legal Services for Government Contracts Litigation
Federal procurement law is a highly specialized practice. The FAR spans thousands of pages, and that is before accounting for the DFARS, agency supplements, and a dense body of case law developed across the GAO, ASBCA, CBCA, Court of Federal Claims, and the Federal Circuit. This is not a practice area where general litigation experience is sufficient.
At Granfield Legal Services, government contracts matters are handled by attorneys who practice in this space regularly — not occasionally. We bring that depth of experience to bear for prime contractors, subcontractors, small businesses, and service-disabled veteran-owned firms in disputes with agencies across the federal government.
If your contract, your eligibility, or your company’s future is at stake, experience matters. We offer free initial consultations for contractors facing government contract disputes. Reach out today — before a deadline runs.
Free Consultation for Federal Contractors
Bid protests, terminations, FCA defense, debarment — we handle it all. Deadlines start immediately. Call now.
(603) 637-1637 Email for a Free ConsultationAvailable by phone, video, or in person · Serving contractors nationwide
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this post or contacting Granfield Legal Services unless and until a formal engagement agreement is executed. Attorney advertising.
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