SYMVIONICS, Inc.

ARMED SERVICES BOARD OF CONTRACT APPEALS
Appeals of -- )
)
SYMVIONICS, Inc. ) ASBCA Nos. 60335, 60612
)
Under Contract No. N61340-12-D-5207 )
APPEARANCE FOR THE APPELLANT: Lars E. Anderson, Esq.
Odin Feldman Pittleman PC
Reston, VA
APPEARANCES FOR THE GOVERNMENT: Ronald J. Borro, Esq.
Navy Chief Trial Attorney
Matthew S. Hawkins, Esq.
Stephen L. Bacon, Esq.
Trial Attorneys
OPINION BY ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE SWEET ON
THE PARTIES' MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
This is an appeal of the decision of the contracting officer (CO) to terminate a
delivery order (DO) for default. SYMVIONICS, Inc. (Symvionics) and the government
have cross-moved for summary judgment. Because there is no genuine issue of material fact
as to whether there was an anticipatory repudiation of the DO, the government was justified
in terminating for default. Therefore, we grant the government's motion for summary
judgment, and deny Symvionics's cross-motion for summary judgment.
STATEMENT OF FACTS (SOF) FOR PURPOSES OF THE MOTIONS
I The Contract and the DO
1. On 29 November 2011, the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division
(NA WCTSD) awarded Symvionics Contract No. N61340-12-D-5207 (base contract). The
base contract was a multiple award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to
provide a broad range of new training system products, or modifications to existing
training systems. (R4, tab 1 at 1, 9)
2. The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) operates Fire Fighting Trainers
(FFTs) at various locations, including the naval facility at Great Lakes, Illinois (Great
Lakes FFT) (R4, tab 4, attach. 1 at 1). The FFTs are computer-controlled, propane-fired
simulators designed to realistically portray fires in different shipboard compartments. The
Great Lakes FFT consists of eight different compartments--compartments 1 to 8--each of
which resembles a different shipboard compartment. The Great Lakes FFT also contains a
staging area, and an adjacent area known as the pit. The Great Lakes FFT is located
within Building 510. (R4, tab 4, attach. 2 at 3; supp. R4, tab 228 at 2-3, 5, 8)
3. In March 2015, NAVSEA identified a requirement to modernize the FFT
control systems by installing Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) to operate the FFTs
(R4, tab 4, attach. 2 at 1; supp. R4, tab 41 at 2849). At the time, the Great Lakes FFT was
in "layup status," and had not been used to conduct training for years. Thus, before the
PLCs could be installed, the Great Lakes FFT required hardware design and maintenance
tasks for the non-PLC equipment affected by the layup. (Supp. R4, tab 31 at 4970)
4. Building 510 also needed repairs. Therefore, the government decided that
NA WCTSD would execute a DO under the base contract for the repairs and upgrades
to the FFTs-including the Great Lakes FFT-and the Naval Facilities Engineering
Command (NAVF AC) would execute a separate contract to complete facility repairs
to Building 510 (R4, tab 3 at 5; supp. R4, tab 31 at 4972).
5. On 12 February 2015, NAWCTSD sent base contract holders a competition
assessment. The competition assessment alerted the base contract holders that
NA WCTSD anticipated issuing a contract to upgrade FFTs, and that the Great Lakes
FFT also would require hardware design for non-PLC equipment affected by the
layup. The competition assessment stated:
Estimated Milestones window for Great Lakes:
Fire Fighting training equipment removal for
non-PLC upgrade tasks[:] 18 Dec 2015 - 25 Jan 2016
PLC and non-PLC Systems/Equipment
Installation period[:] 16 Jun - 5 Aug 2016
System Integration, Testing & Acceptance[:] 5 Aug- 28 Oct 2016
Ready for Training[:] 1Nov2016
(Supp. R4, tab 26 at 2407) 1 The competition assessment also contained a draft of appendix
A, the final version of which is discussed in greater detail below (id. at 24 77-90).
6. Symvionics's executive vice president Richard Weeks determined that
Symvionics could perform the PLC upgrade work, but that it needed to subcontract out
the non-PLC work, including the removal tasks. Mr. Weeks contacted Engineering
Support Personnel, Inc. (ESP) about subcontracting. ESP expressed interest, but
1
We refer to the period between 18 December 2015 and 25 January 2016 as "the
removal period"; the period between 26 January 2016 and 15 June 2016 as "the
interim period"; and the period between 16 June 2016 and 28 October 2016 as
"the installation period." All dates are inclusive.
2
Symvionics and ESP never executed a subcontract. (Supp. R4, tabs 27-29; gov't mot.,
ex. 7, Weeks dep. at 42, 45-47, 51)
7. NAWCTSD held site visits at the FFTs in March and April 2015 (site visits)
(supp. R4, tab 32 at 3483). 2 Symvionics sent Daniel Gustavsson to attend the site
visits. No one from ESP attended. (Supp. R4, tab 41 at 2851-52)
8. During the site visits, Michael Fahnestock-NA WCTSD's program
manager-provided a slide-show presentation. One of the slides stated that "[r]emarks
and explanations at this conference will not qualify the terms of the solicitation. The
terms of the solicitation and specifications will remain unchanged unless the
solicitation is amended in writing." (Supp. R4, tab 36 at 11) Another slide contained
the milestones from the competition assessment (id. at 9). Mr. Fahnestock informed
the attendees "that contractors would not be able to have access to the [Great Lakes
FFT] ... between the removal and installation periods" (gov't mot., attach. 4, ,-i 8; see
also gov't resp., ex. 1 at 60-61 ).
9. In his notes from the site visit, Mr. Gustavsson indicated that the milestones
were "[h]ard dates due to mods by NAVFAC" (supp. R4, tab 38 at 2853).
Mr. Gustavsson's notes also indicated that "[w]e have to remove the mock ups in
several compartments and store them .... Compartments 1, 2, 3, 5." (Id. at 2856)
Mr. Gustavsson testified that Mr. Fahnestock stated that NAVF AC had priority in
compartments 1, 2, 3, and 5 (gov't reply br., ex. 4 at 102; app. opp'n, ex. D, ,-i 6).
10. Mr. Gustavsson also sent an email to Mr. Weeks stating that the Great
Lakes FFT:
[H]as hard dates to meet as there is going to be a separate
contract through NAVF AC to mod the facility. This
contract will be awarded first and our [Integrated Master
Schedule (IMS)] will flow to the NAVF AC contractor, but
they have very specific dates for install and testing that are
levied on us.
(Supp. R4, tab 41 at 2850)
2
NA WCTSD held a second set of site visits in July 2015, which Symvionics did not
attend (supp. R4, tab 64 at 3319, tab 84 at 9). Because it does not appear that
NA WCTSD provided any new, relevant information at the second set of site
visits (gov't mot., ex. 3, ,-i 10), this opinion refers to the first set of site visits as
the "site visits."
3
11. In a 3 April 2015 email to Mr. Weeks and Ray Moffitt- another
Symvionics employee - Mr. Gustavsson provided his notes and thoughts on the site
visits. He stated that:
Bringing the trainer in Great Lakes back online will be an
enormous task. While the government did give us a very
long list of stuff we have to do, it is in no way complete ....
When I talked to Bob [Graves] from ESP, he informed me
that at one point, public works quoted $6 Million to do this
and that was some time ago. We would also be required to
work around a NA VFAC contractor and apparently, they
seem to be getting priority. We get 6 weeks (over
Christmas) to take out everything NA VF AC needs out of
the way and then we have to be gone. We will not be
allowed in the building during NAVFAC's upgrade. We
then have to sit for 6 months and then re-install all of our
new stuff and do the PLC upgrade in about 8 weeks and
then jump into joint testing with the NAVF AC contractor.
My feeling is that if we bid this honestly, we won[']t be
competitive price wise. If we get a winning price, it is
100% guaranteed we will be having lots and lots of fights
with them about over and above costs.
(Supp. R4, tab 41 at 2849)
12. Following the site visits, Mr. Gustavsson submitted questions to
NAWCTSD. He did not ask about whether contractors would have access to all Great
Lakes FFT compartments during the interim period. (Supp. R4, tab 40)
13. On 21April2015, NAWCTSD issued RFP No. N61340-15-R-1113 (FFT
solicitation) for a DO under the base contract to upgrade various FFTs, including the
Great Lakes FFT (R4, tab 4).
14. The FFT solicitation contained the relevant milestones from the
competition assessment and appendix A (R4, tab 4 at 21, 62-92).
15. Symvionics relied upon ESP to develop its proposal for the non-PLC work
(gov't mot., ex. 7, Hallman dep. at 261-62, 302-03, Weeks dep. at 55; supp. R4, tab 32
at 1). Prior to the award of the DO, Symvionics and ESP did not discuss the project
schedule, the milestones, or the statements regarding those milestones during the site
4
visits (gov't mot., ex. 7, Weeks dep. at 71, 106, 190, 192, Hallman dep. at 234, Polizzi
dep. at 49-50).
16. On 25 September 2015, NAWCTSD awarded DO 0002 to Symvionics
(supp. R4, tab 103).
17. Under the title "IMPORTANT PERFORMANCE DATES," DO 0002
section F .1 stated as follows:
The Contractor shall perform the events listed below during the
specified timeframes:
Fire Fighting training equipment 18 Dec 2015 to 25 Jan 2016
removal for non-PLC upgrade
tasks[:]
PLC and non-PLC Systems/Equipment 16 Jun 2016 to 14 Aug 2016
Installation period[:]
System Integration, Testing, and
Acceptance[:] 15 Aug 2016 to 28 Oct 2016
Delivery Date[:] 1Nov2016
(R4, tab 11 at 21) We find that DO 0002 prohibited work during the interim period
(26 January 2016 through 15 June 2016).
18. DO 0002 required Symvionics to provide an IMS "that presents the
contractor's and subcontractor's plans and schedules to meet the requirements of the
contract.... The contractor shall construct the IMS to ensure that the program
milestones are met and to ensure that deliveries meet the requirements of the contract."
(R4, tab 4, attach. 1 at 9) The IMS was due by 10 March 2015 (R4, tab 11 at 57).
19. The performance work statement stated that "[t]he reactivated [Great Lakes
FFT] shall include upgrades and additional tasks to bring the trainer out of layup to a full
operational status. The tasks in Appendix A are to assist with bringing the trainer out of
layup. However, the list of tasks may not be all inclusive." (R4, tab 4, attach. 2 at 6)
20. Appendix A, which was entitled Great Lakes FFT "Reactivation Tasks,"
consisted of three tables (app. mot., ex. 2).
5
21. Appendix A's first table was entitled "Equipment Dismantle and Removal
Matrix" (removal matrix). The removal matrix indicated in which compartments
Symvionics and its subcontractor (collectively "team Symvionics") has to perform
various equipment dismantle and removal tasks. In particular, the removal matrix
required team Symvionics to perform the following tasks in all eight compartments
and the pit:
( 1) "Shut ball valve and disconnect propane piping downstream of all
shutoff valves (Burner Control Assembly (BCA) side of the
valve)"; and
(2) "Disconnect any power from all BCAs and burners[.]"
The removal matrix required team Symvionics to perform the following tasks in
compartments 1, 2, 3, and 5:
( 1) "Disconnect control wiring from all BCAs and burners";
(2) "Disconnect and remove air piping between the BCA's and
burners";
(3) "Dismantle/remove/relocate burner equipment in crawl space";
(4) "Remove fire place mock-up in compartment"; and
(5) "Remove all Propane Sensor, Fog Distribution, and electrical
distribution, enclosures and associated piping and conduit from the
outside of the concrete wall between the BCA's and the fireplace."
A note following the removal matrix stated that "[t]hese tasks shall be completed
during the predetermined firefighting trainer removal period to accommodate facility
work conducted by NAVFAC." (App. mot., ex. 2 at 62)
22. Appendix A's second table was entitled "Equipment Install Matrix"
(installation matrix). The installation matrix indicated in which compartments team
Symvionics has to perform various installation tasks. In particular, the installation
matrix required team Symvionics to perform the following tasks in all eight
compartments and the pit:
( 1) "Install new propane and air piping downstream of all valves and
BCAs";
(2) "Install refurbished fire place burners in crawl spaces"; and
6
(3) "Reinstall control wiring to fire place burners and BCAs[.]"
The installation matrix required team Symvionics to perform the following tasks in
compartments 1, 2, 3, and 5:
(1) "Install mock-up in compartment" and
(2) "Reinstall all Propane Sensor, Fog Distribution, and electrical
distribution, enclosures and associated piping and conduct from the
outside of the concrete wall between the BCA's and the fireplace."
A note following the installation matrix stated that "[t]hese tasks shall be conducted during
the predetermined systems/equipment installation period." (App. mot., ex. 2 at 62-63)
23. Appendix A's third table required Symvionics to perform various tasks (app.
mot., ex. 2 at 63-96). Some of those tasks-such as "[ d]isassemble and remove all
fireplace propane piping, burner elements, pilot assemblies, agent sensor assemblies,
framework, conduit, and mounting hardware"-were equipment dismantling and removal
tasks (id. at 67). Other tasks-such as "[i]nstall ten (10) 214CUFT, 1.1% Propane
Bottles to be used for zero and span gas for the internal calibration functions"-were
installation tasks (id. at 63). It is less clear whether the remaining tasks-such as
"[r]eplace the filter assemblies ... associated with each of the nine FFT Propane Sensor
Assemblies, with new filter assemblies"-were removal or installation tasks (id.).
II. Performance
24. Following the award of DO 0002, Donald Hallman-Symvionics's
program manager-and Mr. Graves arranged a meeting on 15 October 2015 to prepare
for the upcoming post award conference (PAC) (supp. R4, tab I 08). In his email
arranging the meeting, Mr. Hallman stated that:
One of the items I want to work out is the schedule,
specifically for ESP the dismantling and rebuild of [the
Great Lakes FFT]. Currently our schedule only shows
each as just one line (based on Govt dates). I would like to
break that out into more detail. We don't have to identify
every single action but I think we need to identify the
major areas with timelines.
(Supp. R4, tab 107 at 2841)
25. In response to Symvionics's request, Mr. Graves sent Mr. Hallman a draft
IMS. The draft IMS indicated that ESP would perform non-PLC installation tasks
during the interim period. In particular, ESP indicated that it would "[i]nstall new
7
propane and air piping downstream of all valves and BCAs" and "[i]nstall refurbished
fire place burners in crawl spaces" in the pit and compartments 4, 6, 7 and 8 during the
interim period. The draft IMS highlighted those entries. Mr. Graves stated that "[t]he
areas I have highlighted are questionable as [NAVF AC] may not allow us to work
anywhere in the trainer during 1125/16 and 6/15/16. It would not be good ifthat
happens?" (Supp. R4, tab 119 at 2539, 2541-42)
26. On 14 October 2015, Mr. Graves called Mr. Hallman. Mr. Graves told
Mr. Hallman that he had an informal meeting with NAVFAC. During that meeting,
NA VFAC informed Mr. Graves that ESP would not have access to any Great Lakes
FFT compartments during the interim period. (Supp. R4, tab 121 at 2191)
27. Mr. Hallman:
[W]as a little surprised by this as I had interpreted that we
would only have access during the [removal and
installation periods]. I called Bob Graves on this and he
stated that during the proposal [ESP] had assumed they
could work in the spaces not needed by NAVF AC and in
fact, could not meet their dates if they did not have that
access.
(Supp. R4, tab 145 at 2838)
28. Mr. Hallman emailed Walter Kelly-his supervisor-and Symvionics's
senior management. In that email, Mr. Hallman stated that:
From the RFP it was very clear that we/ESP would be
given access to the trainer from 12/18/15 to 1125116 to
remove all non-PLC equipment in preparation for refurb.
At that point the facility is turned over to [NAVF AC] for
building mods and not returned to us until 6/15/16. From
that point we have until 1111116 to complete RFT.
I received a schedule from Bob Graves indicating that it
will take them 7 months just to get the trainer to a state to
start integration and test. Obviously big problem.
It is clear that ESP was counting on getting access to the
trainer when [NAVF AC] has it. Bob is claiming that he
did not know the dates when they would have the trainer
but they are clearly stated in the RFP.
8
So the issues are
1) Did ESP clearly know the dates that they would be
given the trainer or did they know them and just glossed
over them assuming that they would have access from 1125
to 6/15
2) Assuming the Govt does not back off on allowing
access we are going to need to hold ESP to the contractual
dates.
(Supp. R4, tab 121at2191-92)
29. Mr. Kelly responded to Mr. Hallman by inquiring:
Did we know that ESP planned to work during that period or
was that discovered after award[?] I think the contract
excerpt...makes it clear that we would not have access and [at]
a minimum, we (ESP) should have made it clear on the
schedule impact if we did not have access between Jan and Jun.
(Supp. R4, tab 145 at 2837)
30. As agreed, Symvionics and ESP held a meeting on 15 October 2015 to
prepare for the PAC presentation (PAC preparation meeting) (gov't mot., ex. 7, Graves
dep. at 193 ). At the PAC preparation meeting, Mr. Graves raised the fact that NA VF AC
informed him that team Symvionics would not have access to any Great Lakes FFT
compartments during the interim period. Mr. Gustavsson responded, "[y]eah, I recall
them saying that when we went to the industry day." (Gov't mot., ex. 9, Hallman dep. at
209) Nevertheless, when ESP indicated that it would "walk away from the contract" if it
did not get access to some Great Lakes FFT compartments during the interim period,
Symvionics and ESP "decided that we would go forward with the IMS as is, as if we had
not been given this info[ nnation ]" that team Symvionics would not have access to any
Great Lakes FFT compartments during the interim period (supp. R4, tab 145 at 2838-39).
31. On 15 October 2015, Mr. Graves sent John Russell-ESP's president-an
email about the PAC preparation meeting. In the email, Mr. Graves stated that:
Symvionics found nothing in writing that we couldn't be in
the other spaces during the four months in question and
will present the IMS with [ESP] working those spaces and
fight the fight. (They admit it was discussed in the
meeting but never put in writing and we weren't told)[.]
9
(Supp. R4, tab 127 at 1)
32. On 20 October 2015, Symvionics, ESP, and NAWCTSD representatives
attended the PAC (supp. R4, tab 166 at 1162, 1169). At the PAC, Mr. Hallman
presented a draft IMS (October IMS) (id. at 40-48). The October IMS showed that
team Symvionics would perform the "Install Non-PLC [Great Lakes FFT]" tasks
during the interim period (id. at 43). In particular, the October IMS showed that team
Symvionics would perform the following installation tasks during the interim period:
( 1) "Install new propane and air piping downstream of all valves and
BCAs in the Pit and compartments 4,6,7 & 8";
(2) "Install refurbished fire place burners in crawl spaces in the Pit and
compartments 4,6, 7 & 8"; and
(3) "Reinstall control wiring to fire place burners and BCAs in the Pit
and all compartments[.]"
(Id. at 43-44) 3
33. The PAC minutes reflected that Ira Hutchinson-a government
representative-"took issue with line item [23], Install Non-PLC [Great Lakes FFT].
Mr. Hutchinson stated that this timeframe is for the NA VF AC contractor and
SYMVIONICS/ESP will not be allowed into the trainer during this time." 4 (Supp. R4,
tab 166 at 1165) An internal draft of the PAC minutes generated by Symvionics
indicated that Symvionics responded that:
Although not specifically stated in the contract,
SYMVIONICS/ESP wishes to share the spaces on a not to
interfere basis for the purpose of the lengthy restoration
process as to not impact schedule. Mr. Graves stated that
the amount of work required to be performed will make it
difficult to achieve the schedule without access during this
time frame.
3 Under the October IMS, team Symvionics would perform the "[ r]einstall control
wiring to fire place burners and BCAs in the Pit and all compartments" task
mostly during the installation period, and only for one day during the interim
period. Team Symvionics would perform the other tasks listed above entirely
during the interim period. (Supp. R4, tab 166 at 43-44)
4 The minutes incorrectly referred to "Install Non-PLC [Great Lakes FFT]" as item 21
instead of item 23 (supp. R4, tab 166 at 1165).
10
(Supp. R4, tab 142 at 4) The final version of the minutes submitted to NAWCTSD
omitted the phrase "Although not specifically stated in the contract" (id.; supp. R4,
tab 166 at 1165). The parties agreed to table the discussion regarding the interim
period until a NAVFAC Partnership Meeting (supp. R4, tab 166 at 1165).
34. On 29 October 2015, NAWCTSD sent Mr. Hallman an Outlook schedule
invitation for a NA VF AC partnership meeting on 17 November 2015 (supp. R4,
tab 160 at 3).
35. By email dated 29 October 2015, Mr. Hallman tentatively accepted the
invitation. However, his email stated that "(a]t this point it is our position, based on
the evaluation of alternatives with ESP, that without concurrent access to the trainer
rooms not affected by the [NA VF AC] construction contractor from mid Jan 2016 to
mid June 2016, the Program cannot be on schedule." (Supp. R4, tab 160 at 2)
36. On 3 November 2015, NA WCTSD and Symvionics held a conference call to
discuss Symvionics's concerns regarding meeting the delivery dates. During that call,
Mr. Hallman stated "that it was determined by ESP that the removal tasks could not be
performed within the timeframe identified in" section F .1 without access to some Great
Lakes FFT compartments during the interim period. (Supp. R4, tab 173 at 6649)
37. On 6 November 2015, Andrea Gordon-Eubanks-the contracting officer
(CO)--sent Symvionics a notice to cure. The notice to cure stated that Symvionics
repudiated the delivery date by, inter alia, indicating at the PAC, in the 29 October 2015
email, and during the 3 November 2015 conference call that it was not possible to achieve
the delivery date without access to the Great Lakes FFT during the interim period. The
notice to cure stated that, if Symvionics failed to cure by 16 November 2015, the
government might terminate DO 0002 for default. (Supp. R4, tab 177 at 1-2)
38. On 11November2015, Mr. Hallman submitted Symvionics's final IMS
(November IMS). The November IMS, showed that team Symvionics would perform
the "Install Non-PLC [Great Lakes FFT]" tasks during the interim period. In
particular, the November IMS showed that team Symvionics would perform the
following installation tasks during the interim period:
( 1) "Install new propane and air piping downstream of all valves and
BCAs in the Pit fir[ e]places";
(2) "Install new propane and air piping downstream of all valves and
BCAs in compartment[] 4 fireplaces";
(3) "Install new propane and air piping downstream of all valves and
BCAs in compartment 6 fireplaces";
11
(4) "Install new propane and air piping downstream of all valves and
BCAs in compartment 7 fireplaces";
(5) "Install new propane and air piping downstream of all valves and
BCAs in compartment 8 fireplaces";
(6) "Remove, refurbish and reinstall fire place burners in crawl spaces
in the Pit";
(7) "Remove, refurbish and reinstall fire place mockups and burners in
compartment 4"; and
(8) "Reinstall control wiring to fire place burners and BCAs in the Pit
and all compartments."
(Supp. R4, tab 192 at 4-6) 5
39. On 16 November 2015, Symvionics sent the CO its response to the cure
notice. Symvionics stated that the cure notice was based upon the false premise that
DO 0002 prohibited any work on the Great Lakes FFT during the interim period.
Nevertheless, Symvionics stated that it was "prepared to accommodate this material
change to our Contract if so directed by the Contracting Officer." (Supp. R4, tab 206
at 1, 12) We find that this reply, coupled with the November IMS (which showed that
Symvionics would perform work during the interim period) and the finding that no
work was allowed during the interim period (SOF il 17), evinced an intent to repudiate
DO 0002.
40. On 18 November 2015, CO Gordon-Eubanks issued a notice of termination
for default. The notice stated that Symvionics was in default because, inter alia, it
repudiated the delivery date. (Supp. R4, tab 209 at 1)
DECISION
I. The Standards for Summary Judgment
Summary judgment will be granted if a moving party has shown that there are no
genuine issues of material fact and it is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Celotex
5 Under the November IMS, team Symvionics would perform the "[r]einstall control
wiring to fire place burners and BCAs in the Pit and all compartments" task
mostly during the installation period, and only for one day during the interim
period. Team Symvionics would perform the other tasks listed above entirely
during the interim period. (Supp. R4, tab 192 at 6)
12
Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322 (1986). A non-movant seeking to defeat summary
judgment by suggesting conflicting facts must set forth specific facts showing that there is
a genuine issue for trial. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986). A
genuine issue of material fact arises when the non-movant presents sufficient evidence
upon which a reasonable fact finder, drawing the requisite inferences and applying the
applicable evidentiary standard, could decide the issue in favor of the non-movant.
C. Sanchez & Son, Inc. v. United States, 6 F.3d 1539, 1541 (Fed. Cir. 1993). Thus, ifthe
non-moving party carries the burden of proof at trial for elements of its case and fails to
provide such proof, the moving party is entitled to summary judgment. Dairyland Power
Coop. v. United States, 16 F.3d 1197, 1202 (Fed. Cir. 1994). In deciding summary
judgment motions, we do not resolve controversies, weigh evidence, or make credibility
determinations. Liberty Lobby, 477 U.S. at 255. Moreover, we draw all reasonable
inferences in favor of the non-movant. Id.
II. The Default Termination Was Justified
A. Symvionics Repudiated DO 0002
The government is entitled to judgement as a matter of law because there is no
genuine issue of material fact suggesting that the default termination was unjustified. The
government must prove that a default termination was justified. Lisbon Contractors, Inc.
v. United States, 828 F.2d 759, 765 (Fed. Cir. 1987). "We may sustain a default
termination on any proper ground, even if that ground was not the one relied upon by the
Government." Jones Oil Co., ASBCA No. 42651 et al., 98-1BCA~29,691at147,150
(citing Kelso v. Kirk Bros. Mechanical Contractors, Inc., 16 F.3d 1173, 1176 (Fed. Cir.
1994)); James B. Beard, ASBCA Nos. 42677, 42678, 93-3 BCA ~ 25,976 at 129,171.
One ground for sustaining a default termination is anticipatory repudiation. In
order to establish anticipatory repudiation, the government must show that a contractor
communicated an intent not to perform in a positive, definite, unconditional and
unequivocal manner. James B. Beard, 93-3 BCA ~ 25,976 at 129,171. Either an
express refusal to perform, or a statement of an inability to perform may constitute
anticipatory repudiation. JOHN CIBINIC, JR., JAMES F. NAGLE, AND RALPH C. NASH,
JR., ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS, 837-41 (5th ed. 2016). In
particular, a statement that a contractor is unable to perform unless the government
modifies a contract constitutes anticipatory repudiation. Cascade Pacific International
v. United States, 773 F.2d 287, 293 (Fed. Cir. 1985); Tacoma Boatbuilding Co.,
ASBCA No. 50238, 00-1BCA~30,590 at 151,068-69.
Here, we conclude that there is no genuine issue of material fact as to whether
Symvionics positively, definitively, unconditionally, and unequivocally stated to
NA WCTSD that it was unable to perform unless it was given access to some Great
Lakes FFT compartments during the interim period (SOF ~ 39). In the 29 October
2015 email, Mr. Hallman stated that "without concurrent access to the trainer rooms
13
not affected by the [NAVF AC] construction contractor from mid Jan 2016 to mid June
2016, the Program cannot be on schedule" (SOF ~ 35 (emphasis added)). Likewise,
during the 3 November 2015 conference call, Mr. Hallman stated that "the removal
tasks could not be performed within the timeframe identified in" section F .1 without
access to some Great Lakes FFT compartments during the interim period (SOF ~ 36
(emphasis added)).
Moreover, there is no genuine issue of material fact as to whether the condition
that team Symvionics have access to some Great Lakes FFT compartments during the
interim period would modify DO 0002' s requirements. In determining what a contract
requires, "clear and unambiguous [contract provisions] must be given their plain and
ordinary meaning, and we may not resort to extrinsic evidence to interpret them."
Coast Fed. Bank, FSB v. United States, 323 F.3d 1035, 1040 (Fed. Cir. 2003) (en bane).
In determining the plain and ordinary meaning of language, we do not look only at the
individual words used, but also the context and the words' place in the overall
contractual scheme. See ClearCorrect Operating, LLC v. ITC, 810 F .3d 1283, 1290
(Fed. Cir. 2015). One cannon of construction that we use to determine the meaning of
language is expressio unius est exclusio alterius, which means "the expression of one
thing is the exclusion of another." Cookv. Principi, 318 F.3d 1334, 1339 n.8 (Fed. Cir.
2002); ITT Defense Communications Division, ASBCA No. 44791, 98-1BCA~29,590
at 146,703-04.
"An ambiguity exists when a contract is susceptible to more than one
reasonable interpretation." E.L. Hamm & Assocs., Inc. v. England, 379 F.3d 1334,
1341 (Fed. Cir. 2004). As we have held:
Determining whether ... differing interpretations are
reasonable begins with an examination of the plain
language of the contract, construing the contract so as to
effectuate its spirit and purpose giving reasonable meaning
to all parts of the contract. In order to fall within the zone
of reasonableness, a party's interpretation must be
logically consistent with the contract and the parties'
objectively ascertainable intentions.
ECCI-C Metag, JV, ASBCA No. 59031, 15-1BCA~36,145 at 176,418 (citations and
quotations omitted).
Here, the wording of section F .1 does not state that team Symvionics would
have access to the Great Lakes FFT during the interim period (SOF ~ 17). Nor does
the explicit wording state that team Symvionics would not have access to the Great
Lakes FFT during the interim period (id ..). Rather, both parties rely upon the expressio
unius cannon of construction. The government's position is that the inclusion of
periods during which team Symvionics had to perform excluded team Symvionics
14
from performing during other periods. That is a reasonable interpretation under the
expressio unius cannon of construction.
Symvionics's argument is more complex. Symvionics argues that, reading
section F.1 in conjunction with appendix A, appendix A's removal matrix lists the
removal tasks that section F .1 required team Symvionics to perform during the
removal period. Likewise, Symvionics argues that appendix A's installation matrix
listed the installation tasks that section F .1 required team Symvionics to perform
during the installation period. Symvionics argues that that leaves tasks in appendix
A's third table, which included refurbish tasks. Symvionics argues that the inclusions
of time-frames for some tasks excludes time-frames for other tasks. Furthermore,
Symvionics argues that, by only requiring team Symvionics to perform the removal
and installation tasks in compartments 1, 2, 3, and 5 during the removal and
installation periods, appendix A's removal and installation matrices did not impose a
limitation upon when team Symvionics could perform the removal and installation
tasks in the other compartments (i.e., compartments 4, 6, 7, and 8) and the pit.
While Symvionics' s interpretation appears to fall within the zone of
reasonableness, it proves too much. If Symvionics were correct that section F .1 only
required team Symvionics to perform the removal and installation tasks enumerated in
appendix A's removal and installation matrices during the removal and installation
periods, the October and November IMSs still would have contained a schedule that
violated section F .1. The installation matrix required team Symvionics to install
propane and air piping, fire place burners, and control wiring in all compartments
during the installation period (SOF ~ 22). However, under both the October and
November IMSs, team Symvionics would perform at least some of those tasks in some
Great Lakes FFT compartments during the interim period (SOF `` 32, 38). Therefore,
even under Symvionics' s reading of DO 0002, its IMSs still proposed schedules that
violated section F .1.
More importantly-assuming DO 0002 was ambiguous-Symvionics was
bound by the government's reasonable interpretation of DO 0002 as prohibiting access
to any Great Lakes FFT compartments during the interim period. "[A] party that
enters without objection into a contract with knowledge of the other party's reasonable
interpretation is bound by that reasonable interpretation." HPJIGSA-3C, LLC v. Perry,
364 F.3d 1327, 1335 (Fed. Cir. 2004); see also Space Gateway Support, LLC, ASBCA
Nos. 55608, 55658, 13 BCA ~ 35,232 at 172,957 ("A party who willingly, and without
protest, enters into a contract with actual or imputed knowledge of the other's
interpretation of it is bound by such interpretation and cannot later claim that it thought
something else was meant.").
Here, there is no genuine issue of material fact as to whether Symvionics knew
that NA WCTSD interpreted DO 0002 as prohibiting access to any Great Lakes FFT
15
compartments during the interim period. 6 NAWCTSD's Mr. Fahnestock informed
Symvionics during the site visits that "contractors would not be able to have access to
the [Great Lakes FFT] ... between the removal and installation periods" (SOF ~ 8). In a
3 April 2015 email summarizing the site visits, Symvionics's Mr. Gustavsson reported
that:
We get 6 weeks (over Christmas) to take out everything
NA VF AC needs out of the way and then we have to be
gone. · We will not be allowed in the building during
NAVFAC's upgrades. We then have to sit for 6 months
and then re-install all of our new stuff and do the PLC
upgrade in about 8 weeks[.]
(SOF ~ 11) (emphasis added). 7 Again, at the PAC preparation meeting,
Mr. Gustavsson reported that he recalled Mr. Fahnestock saying that contractors would
not have access to any Great Lakes FFT compartments during the interim period (SOF
~ 30). Indeed, in the 15 October 2015 internal email discussing the PAC preparation
meeting, ESP acknowledged that Symvionics admitted that the government discussed
the prohibition on accessing any Great Lakes FFT compartments during the interim
period (SOF ~ 31 ).
Moreover, as discussed above, NAWCTSD's interpretation of DO 0002 as
prohibiting access to any Great Lakes FFT compartments during the interim period
was reasonable. Further, Symvionics entered into DO 0002 without objecting to
NAWCTSD's interpretation (SOF ~ 12). Therefore, Symvionics was bound by
NAWCTSD's·reasonable interpretation of DO 0002 as prohibiting access to any Great
Lakes FFT compartments during the interim period. HPIIGSA-3C, 364 F.3d at 1335.
Because team Symvionics was prohibited from accessing any Great Lakes FFT
compartments during the interim period, its statements that performance absent such
6 That Mr. Fahnestock may have stated that the mock ups had to be removed from
compartments 1, 2, 3, and 5, and that the NAVFAC contractor would have
priority in those compartments during the interim period does not negate the
fact that he also stated that team Symvionics would not have access to any
Great Lakes FFT compartments during the interim period (SOF ~ 9).
7
Addressing the 3 April 2015 email, Symvionics argues that the word "we" referred to
Symvionics, and not ESP. That interpretation is not reasonable. Because ESP
was the entity that was to perform the removal tasks (SOF ~ 6), it was the only
entity to which Mr. Gustavsson could have been referring when he said "[w]e
get 6 weeks (over Christmas) to take out everything NA VF AC needs out of the
way and then we have to be gone" (SOF ~ 11 ).
16
access was impossible conditioned performance on a modification to DO 0002, and
thus those statements constituted anticipatory repudiation.
Symvionics argues that NA WCTSD's statements at the site visits could not
change the terms of DO 0002 because a slide presented during the site visits stated that
"[r]emarks and explanations at this conference will not qualify the terms of the
solicitation. The terms of the solicitation and specifications will remain unchanged
unless the solicitation is amended in writing." (SOF ~ 8) That argument is irrelevant.
The issue here is not whether NA WCTSD's oral statements at the site visits qualified
or changed the terms of DO 0002. Rather, the issue is what the ambiguous terms of
DO 0002 meant in the first place. In addressing that later question, it is appropriate to
consider whether one party knows of- and fails to object to - the other party's
reasonable interpretation of the ambiguous terms. HPIIGSA-3C, 364 F.3d at 1335.
Likewise, FAR 14.207 does not support Symvionics's argument. FAR 14.207
provides that a pre-bid conference "shall never be used as a substitute for amending a
defective or ambiguous invitation." As discussed above, NA WCTSD did not seek to
use the pre-bid conference as a substitute for amending a solicitation that it knew was
ambiguous. Rather, it offered its interpretation of the meaning of language in section
F .1 (SOF ~ 8). Because Symvionics failed to question, or object to, that interpretation,
NA WCTSD had no notice that Symvionics held a different interpretation that rendered
the language ambiguous (SOF ~ 12).
B. Symvionics Did Not Provide Adequate Assurances
Symvionics also argues that its response to the notice to cure provided adequate
assurances that it would perform. That argument is meritless. A "vague and largely
unsubstantiated" response to a notice to cure is insufficient to adequately assure an
agency. DODS, Inc., ASBCA Nos. 57746, 58252, 14-1 BCA ~ 35,677 at 174,626.
Rather, once the government issues a cure notice, "[t]he burden is then on the
contractor to advise the Government how it will complete the project on time,
according to contract requirements." McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. United States, 567
F.3d 1340, 1350 (Fed. Cir. 2009) (quoting Universal Fiberglass Corp., 537 F.2d 393
419 (Ct. Cl. 1976)) (emphasis added).
Here, Symvionics's response to the notice to cure merely stated that it was
"prepared to accommodate this material change to our Contract if so directed by the
Contracting Officer" (SOF ~ 39). That vague and unsubstantiated statement does not
raise a genuine issue of material fact suggesting that Symvionics provided adequate
assurances because that statement provided no advice on how--despite its earlier
protestations of impossibility-Symvionics would complete the project on time, and
according to contract requirements (id.). Moreover, the implication from this response
is that Symvionics viewed the government's reasonable interpretation of the delivery
17
order as a "material change" (which would have the potential of schedule impact
and/or monetary consequences).
Nor does Fairfield Scientific Corp., ASBCA No. 21151, 78-1BCAii13,082 at
63,908, help Symvionics. In Fairfield Scientific, we held that "there is no anticipatory
breach where the professed inability to perform can be overcome and the contractor
expresses a willingness to continue performance." Id. As discussed above, while the
response to the notice to cure expressed a willingness to continue performance, it
offered no evidence that Symvionics's professed inability to perform could be
overcome (SOF ii 39). Therefore, the response to the notice to cure did not provide
adequate assurance as a matter of law.
CONCLUSION
The government's motion for summary judgment is granted. Symvionics's
cross-motion for summary judgment is denied. Judgment is entered in the government's
favor, and the appeals are denied.
Dated: 26 June 2017
Administrative Judge
Armed Services Board
of Contract Appeals
I concur I concur
RICHARD SHACKLEFORD OWEN C. WILSON
Administrative Judge Administrative Judge
Acting Chairman Acting Vice Chairman
Armed Services Board Armed Services Board
of Contract Appeals of Contract Appeals
18
I certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the Opinion and Decision of the
Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals in ASBCA Nos. 60335, 60612, Appeals of
SYMVIONICS, Inc., rendered in conformance with the Board's Charter.
Dated:
JEFFREY D. GARDIN
Recorder, Armed Services
Board of Contract Appeals
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