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Iraq War Contractor Navigates CDA Jurisdictional Minefield to Victory

May 10, 2017

In Leviathan Corp. (Apr. 20, 2017), the ASBCA ruled in favor of Crowell & Moring client Leviathan in its 11-year contract dispute with the U.S. Army. Leviathan delivered military supplies to the Iraqi army during the Iraq War. The contract was technically between a different prime contractor and the Coalition Provisional Authority (the predecessor to the new Iraqi government), not the U.S. government. The U.S. Army administered the contract and signed a termination settlement agreement. But the Army refused to pay Leviathan because the Government argued that: (1) the Board lacked jurisdiction over Coalition contracts, (2) Leviathan lacked standing because it was not the prime contractor, and (3) a termination settlement is not a CDA “procurement” contract. Leviathan successfully argued that the Army and Leviathan both became parties to the contract through two respective implied-in-fact novations. Further, because of the Army’s novation, the Army stepped into the Coalition’s shoes from the outset, thereby converting the original contract into a CDA “procurement” contract.

For more information, please contact the professional(s) listed below, or your regular Crowell & Moring contact.

Stephen J. McBrady
Partner – Washington, D.C.
Phone: +1.202.624.2547
Email: smcbrady@crowell.com
Skye Mathieson
Partner – Washington, D.C.
Phone: +1.202.624.2606
Email: smathieson@crowell.com
Charles Baek
Counsel – Washington, D.C.
Phone: +1.202.624.2894
Email: cbaek@crowell.com