By Anthony I. Shin, Esq. | Federal Contracting & Compliance Law Attorney | Shin Law Office
Fort Lee Subcontracting Disputes: How to Enforce Your Teaming Agreement
What I’ve Seen Happen at Fort Lee (Now Fort Gregg-Adams)
If you’re a small subcontractor working at Fort Gregg-Adams, formerly Fort Lee, you’re already familiar with the fact that this base operates on teams.
From managing Army dining facilities to running logistics training simulators, most contracts here are carried out by large primes who bring on small business partners to meet performance requirements and small business utilization goals.
But here’s what I see all too often:
You team up with a large defense contractor.
You put in the work.
You help write the proposal.
Maybe your company’s track record in food service, training support, or logistics was what gave the bid its edge. But once the contract is awarded?
The prime “consolidates operations.” Suddenly, your share of the scope vanishes.
The two dining halls you were promised? Gone.
Your team’s logistics simulator hours?
Reassigned. You’re left watching someone else do the work you were brought in to perform.
And the worst part? You might not have a leg to stand on if your teaming agreement was vague.
Why “Intent” Alone Isn’t Enough
Virginia courts have made it painfully clear: a vague promise to “negotiate in good faith” or “discuss subcontracting later” isn’t worth much.
That’s why your teaming agreement needs to specify what, when, and how you will receive the work if the team wins.
When I draft these agreements for contractors heading into Fort Gregg-Adams bids, I spell it out.
Not “we’ll try to work together,” but “Prime shall award Sub a subcontract for the operation of Dining Facilities 3 and 5” or “Sub shall perform 40% of total training sessions for the base year.”
That kind of language stands up.
And here’s a Fort Lee-specific tip I always give my clients:
Use the small business angle to your advantage.
Many contracts at Fort Gregg-Adams are awarded under acquisition strategies that require or strongly favor small business participation.
If the prime used your experience or certifications to win the bid, you better believe they got evaluation credit for it.
And if they cut you out afterward?
That’s a red flag—and a potential leverage point.
Fort Gregg-Adams Is Unique: Know the Terrain
This base houses the Army Sustainment Center of Excellence—home to the Quartermaster, Ordnance, and Transportation schools.
The pace is fast, and the contracts are often structured as IDIQs (Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity) or task orders under umbrella contracts.
That’s where I see another landmine:
The prime gives you visibility on the base contract, but keeps you off the follow-on task orders.
Technically, they “teamed” with you—but you get no actual work.
Legally, it’s a grey area unless your agreement included provisions like:
- A percentage share of all task orders
- A right of first refusal for specific functions
- A clause stating the subcontract must be awarded within 5 business days of base contract award
These are the kinds of terms I fight to include because otherwise, you’re relying on the goodwill of a prime whose incentive to keep you fades after they’ve won.
What If You’ve Already Been Cut Out?
Even if the teaming agreement isn’t airtight, all hope isn’t lost.
If your work was a major part of the proposal, I will look at whether:
- The prime made misleading representations in the bid
- There’s a small business subcontracting plan they’re now violating
- There’s a pattern of bad faith in negotiations or performance
While you can’t sue over the subcontracting plan, I’ve used its failure as a negotiating tool.
The SBA or the Contracting Officer may not like seeing the prime blow off its small business promises, especially if that failure risks contract compliance.
Sometimes, just the threat of bringing this to the CO’s attention gets the prime back to the table.
Final Word: Don’t Let the Prime Define Your Role After the Award
When you’re working on proposals for Fort Gregg-Adams, the most important thing you can do is protect yourself before the award.
A good teaming agreement is more than a formality—it’s your only lifeline if things go south.
Here’s my checklist when reviewing teaming agreements for Fort Lee contractors:
✅ Clear statement of scope (specific functions, locations, services)
✅ Firm commitment language (“shall award a subcontract”)
✅ Timeline for subcontract execution (within 5–10 days of award)
✅ Task order participation structure
✅ Reference to small business utilization and the value you brought to the proposal
And if the prime balks at that detail?
That’s a warning sign.
They might already be planning to cut you out.
So don’t settle for vague promises.
Get it in writing. Make it enforceable.
And if you’re already facing a dispute, call me before you give up.
I’ve helped subcontractors recover compensation, enforce their teaming rights, and hold primes accountable even at the Army’s busiest sustainment base.
📞 Need help reviewing or enforcing a teaming agreement at Fort Gregg-Adams?
Anthony I. Shin, Esq.
