E.C. London & Associates, Inc.
ASBCA No. 60273
A.S.B.C.A.Sep 1, 2017Background
- The Air Force awarded E.C. London & Associates a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-quantity contract (base period + 4 one-year options) for base custodial and window‑cleaning services at Los Angeles AFB; CLINs separated interior (part of custodial CLIN 0003) and exterior window cleaning (CLIN 0004) and priced exterior cleaning at $0.312/SF.
- The Schedule contained estimated square footage for exterior window cleaning and stated task orders would specify square feet ordered each semi‑annual period.
- Amendment No. 03 (30 Sept 2006) added three new buildings (270, 271, 272). No contract modification adjusted CLIN square footage for those buildings.
- London claims the added buildings increased exterior (and some interior) window area substantially, relying on measurements by SSgt Rupert (totaling 277,280 SF for the three buildings), and submitted a certified CDA claim for $374,323.75 (mostly alleged extra costs) on 16 Aug 2010.
- The contracting officer later (declaration) relied on base civil engineers’ CAD/manual measurements showing a net increase of 12,567 SF (new buildings 71,502 SF vs. torn down buildings 58,935 SF) and stated London was paid for the square footage reflected in task orders.
- Three invoices totaling $3,353.26 remained partially or wholly unpaid; the government concedes those amounts are due but London also sought Prompt Payment Act interest which it did not separately claim pre‑appeal.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether addition of Buildings 270–272 constituted a compensable change increasing contractor’s exterior window‑cleaning obligation/costs | London: Addition increased window SF beyond contract estimates; Rupert measurements show sizable increase; entitlement to extra payment under Changes clause | Air Force: Net square footage change was small/offset by demolition of old buildings; London was paid for actual SF in task orders; Rupert numbers unreliable | Denied. Board found London failed to prove an uncompensated increase; task orders controlled and contracting officer’s engineer‑based measurements (sworn) prevail over Rupert’s unverified figures. |
| Whether interior windows over 7' created additional chargeable scope separate from custodial CLIN | London: Contract did not anticipate new interior/exterior glass surfaces for new buildings and thus increase was separate chargeable work | Air Force: Interior windows (up to 7') are covered by custodial CLIN 0003; no separate recovery | Denied. Board agreed interior high‑window requirement remained as stated and interior work was covered by CLIN 0003. |
| Whether Rupert’s measurements establish quantum for extra work | London: Rupert’s 2006 measurements quantify additional SF owed | Air Force: Rupert’s figures are unsupported and unverified; civil engineers’ CAD measurements are reliable | Denied. Board refused to credit Rupert’s uncorroborated figures; accepted contracting officer’s sworn engineer measurements and evidence that payments matched task orders. |
| Recovery of unpaid invoices and interest (CDA and Prompt Payment Act) | London: Entitled to unpaid invoice amounts plus Prompt Payment Act interest | Air Force: Does not dispute unpaid amounts; disputes jurisdiction or entitlement to Prompt Payment Act interest absent separate claim | Granted in part. Board awarded $3,353.26 plus CDA interest from 16 Aug 2010 (claim date). Prompt Payment Act interest denied for lack of a separate PPA claim. |
Key Cases Cited
(No official reporter decisions with Bluebook citations appear in the opinion.)
