By Anthony I. Shin, Esq. | Federal Contracting & Compliance Law Attorney | Shin Law Office
Scope Disputes in Navy Contracts: Norfolk, VA Sub Contractors Protect Your Share
Let’s be honest, if you’re a subcontractor in Norfolk working on U.S. Navy contracts, you’ve probably dealt with this before.
You sign on with a clear scope of work, help build a strong proposal, and maybe even bring key past performance to the table.
Then, once the contract is awarded, things shift.
The prime changes the scope. Suddenly, your role is more minor.
Or worse, they “reassign” your portion of the work to someone else entirely.
That’s not just frustrating. It’s a legal issue, and I assist federal contractors in the Hampton Roads area.
When the Scope Shifts, So Does Your Leverage
Most teaming agreements discuss shared work or define roles, but when the prime contractor starts modifying the scope after award, it can throw everything off.
Here’s what I see most often:
- The promised percentage of work isn’t honored
- The scope gets revised, and the subcontractor is left with scraps
- No formal subcontract is issued, even though you contributed heavily to the bid
- The prime uses vague language in the agreement to justify a reduced role
And yes, this happens with Navy contracts. A lot.
What You Can Do About It
If you’re being squeezed out after an award, don’t just take it on the chin. Here’s how I help Norfolk contractors respond:
- Review the teaming agreement for enforceable language
- Analyze the proposal submission to determine your documented role
- Assess communication history—emails, bid drafts, scope discussions
- Send a formal notice to preserve your claim and push for accountability
- Pursue legal remedies, including breach of contract or unjust enrichment
The earlier you act, the better your chances of securing your share—or at least recovering your losses.
Why It Matters in Navy Contracts
The Navy doesn’t look kindly on internal contract disputes disrupting performance. If you were part of the winning strategy, your contribution matters—not just to you, but to the integrity of the contract.
I work with Norfolk-area contractors to enforce workshare promises and protect their contributions—before and after the award.
Please don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
If you’re seeing signs of scope creep or if the prime isn’t honoring your agreement, call me before it gets worse.
I’ll help you figure out whether you have legal leverage and what the next step should be.
You earned your place on that contract. Don’t let it get erased.
Anthony I. Shin, Esq.
