The GSBCA was established under the Contract Disputes Act of 1978, 41 U.S.C. §§ 601-613, as an independent tribunal to hear and decide contract disputes between government contractors and the GSA. The Board also hears and decides disputes between contractors and other executive agencies of the United States, including the Departments of State, Treasury, Commerce, and Education.

The Board uses a variety of techniques intended to shorten and simplify, when appropriate, the formal proceedings normally used to resolve contract disputes.  The Board fully supports the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in all appropriate cases; it encourages the prompt, expert, and inexpensive resolution of contract disputes as promoted by the Administrative Dispute Resolution Act.

In addition, the Board provides to other executive agencies, on a reimbursable basis and by agreement of the parties, alternative dispute resolution services on contract-related matters, whether arising before or after a contract has been awarded.

Finally, the Board hears and decides three additional classes of cases.  The Board decides claims by federal employees under 31 U.S.C. § 3702 for reimbursement of expenses incurred while on official temporary duty travel or in connection with relocation to a new duty station, claims by carriers or freight forwarders under 31 U.S.C. § 3726(i)(1) involving rate determinations, and claims under 5 U.S.C. § 5564 for the proceeds of the sale of property of certain federal civilian employees who are dead, ill or missing.