Board of Contract Appeals; Contract Appeals

The Department of Energy amends its regulations concerning proceedings and functions of the Board of Contract Appeals. This action is necessary to update the rules and to reorganize and supplement the existing rules to provide the public with a better understanding of the Board and its functions. This rule adds an overview of the Board's organization, authorities and various functions, enunciates longstanding policies favoring the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), and confirms the Board's authority to engage in ADR and provide an array of ADR neutral services, modifies the Rules of Practice for Contract Disputes Act (CDA) appeals to implement changes made to the CDA by the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act (FASA), and removes unnecessary and obsolete rules related to the Board's non-CDA appeals and Contract Adjustment Board functions.