O’Riordan Bethel is continuously monitoring changes to the schedules of the courts and administrative
bodies where we represent our clients. While many courts have announced changes in hours, access,
etc., other adjudicative bodies continue business as usual.
- Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals. As of 3/16/2020, no announcements of changes to normal procedures.
- Civilian Board of Contract Appeals (CBCA). As of 3/16/2020, the CBCA remained OPEN to accept e-filings, mail, and deliveries. However, it encourages litigants to efile and avoid filing by mail, courier, or in-person. To obtain permission to efile a Rule 4 appeal file, contact the Office of the Clerk at 202-606-8800 or cbcaclerk@cbca.gov.
The CBCA website cautions that statutory limitations on the time within which a filing may be made will not be waived or tolled. - Government Accountability Office. Of particular importance to government contractors, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in its bid protest function, to this point, continues apace. Disappointed bidders who may have to file a bid protest should plan to meet all statutory and regulatory filing deadlines or face dismissal as untimely at GAO.
Even with the heavy disruptions caused by COVID-19, potential protesters should not delay with the expectation of receiving an extension of time to file – GAO’s filing deadlines are statutory. Nothing short of a literal act of Congress (or closure of the GAO itself, which we do not anticipate) will result in an extension of GAO’s filing deadlines for protesters.
