USDA Board of Contract Appeals

Board of Contract Appeals, U.S. Department of Agriculture 2916 South Building, Washington, DC 20250-0601, 202-720-7023, 202-720-3058 FAX

For additional information contact:
Elaine Hillard

Board of Contract Appeals, United States Department of Agriculture

The Board of Contract Appeals was established under the Contract Disputes Act, 41 U.S.C. §§ 601-613, and adjudicates claims arising under contracts for the procurement of supplies, services, and construction to support agency operations, and under U.S. Forest Service Timber Sale contracts. The Board is empowered to grant the same relief in contract matters as the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Board decisions are not reviewable within the Department, but contractors or the Department may appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Under the Equal Access to Justice Act, 5 U.S.C. § 504, the Board is authorized to award attorneys' fees and costs to prevailing parties when the Government's position in litigation was not substantially justified. While the Board has jurisdiction over certain debarments and Standard Reinsurance Agreements involving the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, the Board's primary function is to hear and decide appeals from decisions of agency contracting officers. The agencies are represented before the Board by attorneys from the Office of General Counsel. Contractors are generally represented by private counsel, although a number of contractors, particularly on small-dollar-value claims, represent themselves. Many of the appeals require formal evidentiary hearing with a Board member presiding. The Board consists of Administrative Judges, a Chief Counsel, a Recorder, and Legal Technicians. The Board compiles an annual report describing its activities and accomplishments. The Board's Rules are published in 7 C.F.R. Part 24. The Board also offers parties the opportunity to use Alternative Dispute Resolution techniques.

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.