CEMS, Inc. v. United States

Contract dispute

Plaintiff contractor filed suit against defendant United States arising out of a contract for the construction of a bicycle path. The contractor alleged changes, delays and other compensable acts or omissions of the Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration (FHA), and requested an equitable adjustment under the terms of the contract, and such further relief as appropriate. Specifically, the contractor alleged:

1. that the government breached its implied duty to cooperate and its implied duty not to hinder performance. Specifically, the contractor asserted that it was undisputed that issuance of the notice to proceed was delayed three days by government error in providing incorrect bonding amounts to the contractor and 13 days by other government inaction.
2. that the government breached its implied duty to cooperate when delay occurred due to excessive supervision or control of the finishes of the subgrade and aggregate base course.
3. that the government made numerous constructive changes to the contract in the form of additional work ordered to be performed by the project engineer

Court of Federal Claims

The court found:

1. the government did not act unreasonably.
2. that the government did breach its implied duty of cooperation.
3. that the contractor should have been compensated for the additional Roadway Obliteration of asphaltic concrete.