Erin N. Rankin
Overview
Erin Rankin has extensive experience guiding government contractors through complex cost and pricing compliance issues, including the Cost Accounting Standards, cost allowability, Truthful Cost and Pricing (formerly Truth in Negotiations or TINA), and DCAA audit findings. Erin is also a skilled litigator, having represented numerous clients before the Armed Services and Civilian Boards of Contract Appeals and the Court of Federal Claims. She has also defended companies against False Claims Act allegations, conducted internal investigations, and advocated for clients in mandatory disclosures and suspension and debarment proceedings.
Career & Education
- The George Washington University Law School, J.D., with honors, 2009
- The Ohio State University, B.A., magna cum laude, 2006
- District of Columbia
- Virginia
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Erin's Insights
Client Alert | 2 min read | 07.31.25
A Greater Sum of Certainty: ASBCA Weighs in on when Sum Certain Defense Is Not Waived
A recent Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals decision provides useful guidance on when the government may (or may not) waive its defense that a contractor’s claim failed to state a sum certain. In GE Renewables US, LLC, the contractor had submitted a claim to the contracting officer for a determination that the contractor had the right to an economic price adjustment (EPA) due to an inflation-related price increase. Notably, the contractor did not provide the value of its requested adjustment in its claim. The contracting officer denied the claim, and the contractor appealed to the Board.
Client Alert | 2 min read | 07.15.25
Firm News | 4 min read | 06.26.25
Crowell Earns Top Rankings from Legal 500 United States 2025
Representative Matters
- Ongoing representation of a major Defense contractor in ASBCA appeals of government claims unilaterally setting indirect cost rates and claiming repayment for allegedly unallowable indirect costs.
- Successful representation of a major Defense contractor in an ASBCA appeal of a government claim seeking recovery of allegedly unallowable costs incurred to continue contract performance during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in withdrawal of government's claim.
- Successful resolution of a show cause letter from the Navy Suspension and Debarment Official, with no action, regarding alleged accounting and estimating system deficiencies.
- For numerous government contractors, successful representation resulting in zero-dollar settlements of actual and threatened government claims for alleged noncompliance with CAS 403, CAS 410, and CAS 420.
- Represented numerous government contractors to successfully settle proposed pension cost adjustments following segment spinoffs or pension plan freezes under CAS 413.
- Represented a Defense contractor through evidentiary hearing and obtained a judgment entitling the contractor to disputed termination for convenience costs, including precontract costs under FAR 31.205-32.
- Represented a Department of Energy contractor in False Claims Act litigation in federal district court and a parallel Contract Disputes Act proceeding before the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals, resulting in dismissal of the government’s allegation that the contractor charged unallowable home office expenses.
- Represented a Defense contractor in a multimillion-dollar government claim for costs disallowed under FAR 31.201-2(d) (supporting documentation), FAR 31.201-3 (reasonableness), FAR 31.205-46 (travel costs), and the Fly America Act, resulting in a withdrawal of the contracting officer’s final decision.
- Represented a defense technology company in successfully resolving a dispute with the Department of Defense regarding compliance with the Truth in Negotiations Act.
- Represented a major defense contractor in negotiating the settlement of the cost impact of a change to accounting practices.
- Represented a government contractor in termination for default proceedings before the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals, resulting in conversion into a termination for convenience.
- Represented a NASA contractor in successfully resolving a contract dispute relating to labor costs incurred under a services contract in proceedings before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals.
Erin's Insights
Client Alert | 2 min read | 07.31.25
A Greater Sum of Certainty: ASBCA Weighs in on when Sum Certain Defense Is Not Waived
A recent Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals decision provides useful guidance on when the government may (or may not) waive its defense that a contractor’s claim failed to state a sum certain. In GE Renewables US, LLC, the contractor had submitted a claim to the contracting officer for a determination that the contractor had the right to an economic price adjustment (EPA) due to an inflation-related price increase. Notably, the contractor did not provide the value of its requested adjustment in its claim. The contracting officer denied the claim, and the contractor appealed to the Board.
Client Alert | 2 min read | 07.15.25
Firm News | 4 min read | 06.26.25
Crowell Earns Top Rankings from Legal 500 United States 2025
Insights
Erin's Insights
Client Alert | 2 min read | 07.31.25
A Greater Sum of Certainty: ASBCA Weighs in on when Sum Certain Defense Is Not Waived
A recent Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals decision provides useful guidance on when the government may (or may not) waive its defense that a contractor’s claim failed to state a sum certain. In GE Renewables US, LLC, the contractor had submitted a claim to the contracting officer for a determination that the contractor had the right to an economic price adjustment (EPA) due to an inflation-related price increase. Notably, the contractor did not provide the value of its requested adjustment in its claim. The contracting officer denied the claim, and the contractor appealed to the Board.
Client Alert | 2 min read | 07.15.25
Firm News | 4 min read | 06.26.25
Crowell Earns Top Rankings from Legal 500 United States 2025