AFFARS Part 5333

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PART 5333 - PROTESTS, DISPUTES, AND APPEALS
[Revised 2 April 2003]


5333.090 Policy.
The acquisition team shall use alternative means of dispute resolution (ADR) to the maximum extent practicable. ADR techniques shall be used whenever possible to resolve all issues in controversy. The acquisition team shall attempt to use ADR prior to the commencement of litigation once unassisted negotiations have reached an impasse. Further, ADR shall be offered in litigation, unless one of the exceptions in 5 U.S.C. 572(b) applies or the policy set forth by SAF/GCD indicates that ADR is not appropriate. ADR shall also be used to resolve protests to the maximum extent practicable.


SUBPART 5333.1 - PROTESTS

5333.103-90 Protests to the agency.
(a) The contracting officer shall prepare the response to an agency level protest (including a protest of a non-appropriated funds procurement). The contracting officer shall prepare the agency report using the procedures contained in the Air Force Guide to Protests before the GAO, which is located under Part 33 of the Contracting Toolkit on the SAF/AQC web site. The contracting officer shall request guidance from SAF/AQCX for any protest likely to generate significant Congressional interest.


(b) The contracting officer is authorized to designate the official(s) who are to conduct the independent review in accordance with FAR 33.103(d)(4).


(c) If a protest is filed before award, the contracting activity shall not make award until a decision on the protest has been issued.


(d) The decision to deny a protest shall be made at a level no lower than that at which the protest was filed. Protests may be sustained at any level in the review process, with the concurrence of the cognizant legal office.


5333.104-90 Protests to GAO.

(a) General. SAF/GCQ represents the Air Force in GAO protests when a protester is represented by an attorney or at the request of SAF/AQCX. SAF/AQCX is the Air Force point of contact with the GAO in all other GAO protests. The contracting officer shall send any communication to the GAO through SAF/AQCX or SAF/GCQ and forward any inquiry received from an attorney representing a protestor or interested party to SAF/AQCX or SAF/GCQ. The contracting officer shall follow the procedures contained in the Air Force Guide to Protests before the GAO, which is located under Part 33 of the Contracting Toolkit on the SAF/AQC web site.


(b) Mandatory stay of award or performance.


(c) Corrective action. Within 5 days of a decision to take corrective action (either voluntary or as recommended by the GAO), the contracting officer shall provide a corrective action plan to SAF/AQCX and SAF/GCQ. The contracting officer shall notify SAF/AQCX and SAF/GCQ if there are any significant changes to the corrective action plan, if the corrective action will not be completed within 60 days, and when the corrective action is complete.


5333.190 Protests to the Court of Federal Claims.
(a) The Department of Justice represents the Air Force in protests filed at the Court of Federal Claims (COFC).


(b) The contracting officer shall inform SAF/GCQ of any notice of protest at the COFC and provide support as requested by SAF/GCQ or by the Commercial Litigation Division of the Air Force Legal Services Agency (AFLSA/JACN).


SUBPART 5333.2 - DISPUTES AND APPEALS

5333.214 Alternate dispute resolution (ADR).
For ACAT I and II programs, the contracting officer shall establish an agreement between the Government and the contractor, such as a memorandum of understanding, that outlines the intent of the parties with respect to the use of ADR. Contracting officers shall consider establishing ADR agreements for other programs and acquisitions.


5333.290 Requests for equitable adjustment (REA).
The contracting officer shall use ADR to the maximum extent practicable to resolve a REA when unassisted negotiations reach an impasse. The contracting officer shall refer to AFMCLO/JAB, with a copy to SAF/GCD, any REA greater than $500,000 in which unassisted negotiations have reached an impasse in order to develop a dispute resolution strategy.


5333.291 Claims and terminations for default.
(a) If a contractor submits an uncertified claim exceeding $100,000, the contracting officer shall notify the contractor, in writing, of its failure to certify as required by the Contract Disputes Act (41 U.S.C. 601-613). The notice shall state that a final decision will not be issued until the claim is certified.


(b) Prior to making a final decision on a claim or termination for default, the contracting officer shall refer the proposed final decision to the cognizant legal office for legal advice, ADR suitability and appropriate dispute resolution strategies. The contracting officer, with the assistance of the cognizant legal office, shall seek review by AFMCLO/JAB of all proposed final decisions. At the same time, the contracting officer shall provide SAF/GCD with any proposed final decision on a claim involving PEO programs, any proposed final decision on a claim greater than $500,000, or any proposed termination for default with estimated excess reprocurement costs greater than $500,000.


5333.292 Appeals to the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals (ASBCA).
(a) AFMCLO/JAB represents the Air Force in appeals to the ASBCA.


(b) If the contractor files an appeal with the ASBCA, the contracting officer shall forward to AFMCLO/JAB and the cognizant legal office a copy of any notice of appeal to the ASBCA, along with the envelope in which the notice was received. If the contractor files an appeal with the contracting officer instead of the ASBCA, the contracting officer shall immediately notify AFMCLO/JAB of the date the appeal was received and forward to AFMCLO/JAB and the cognizant legal office a copy of the appeal and a copy of the envelope in which the appeal was received. The contracting officer shall forward the original appeal and envelope to the ASBCA.


(c) The contracting officer shall prepare a "Rule 4 file" for any appeal to the ASBCA in accordance with Rule 4 of the ASBCA rules (see DFARS Appendix A, Part 2). The contracting officer shall consult with AFMCLO/JAB before including in the Rule 4 file any legal opinions or intragovernmental or intergovernmental documents as described in DoD Regulation 5400.7, DoD Freedom of Information Act Program; the Air Force Supplement to DoD 5400.7-R; and FAR Subpart 24.2.


(d) The contracting officer shall obtain approval from the AFMCLO/JAB trial attorney assigned to the appeal prior to releasing the Rule 4 file. After such approval, the contracting officer shall simultaneously mail copies of the Rule 4 file to the ASBCA (Recorder), the contractor, and AFMCLO/JAB. The contracting officer shall not provide contractors or their representatives access to any Government files or documents, other than the Rule 4 file, without approval from AFMCLO/JAB.


5333.293 Appeals to the United States Court of Federal Claims.
(a) The Department of Justice represents the Air Force in appeals brought before the United States Court of Federal Claims. The Commercial Litigation Division of the Air Force Legal Services Agency (AFLSA/JACN) serves as the Air Force liaison with the Department of Justice in such appeals.


(b) The contracting officer shall notify the cognizant legal office of any notice of appeal to the United States Court of Federal Claims. The cognizant legal office shall forward a copy of the notice to SAF/GCD and AFLSA/JACN.


(c) The contracting officer shall assist the cognizant legal office in preparing the litigation report.


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