William E. Thomas, Esq., Of Counsel
Education
Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, Robins School of Business, University of Richmond
JD, University of Richmond
Summary History
•1995 - 2005, Judge, Veterans Affairs Board of Contract Appeals
•1981 -1995, Assistant General Counsel, Professional Staff Group V, Office of General
•Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs
•1977 -1981, Deputy Assistant General Counsel, Professional Staff Group V, Office of General
•Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs
•1972 -1977, Trial Attorney, Claims and Litigation Division, Office of General Counsel,
•General Services Administration
•1968 -1970, Capt., U.S. Army
Judge (retired), Veterans Affairs Board of Contract Appeals
Mr. Thomas conducted Contract Disputes Act hearings and issued written decisions on all types of contract disputes; including Technology, Supply and Construction. Mr. Thomas oversaw more than 75 Alternative Dispute Resolution proceedings, both contract and personnel for federal, military and Bureau of Prisons. Mr. Thomas also performed training for contracting officers in contract administration, clause interpretation, relationships with contractors, delay, suspension and changed conditions.
Assistant General Counsel, Professional Staff Group V, Office of General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs
Mr. Thomas was responsible for all legal advice and guidance for VA's 6 Billion Federal procurement program; including the planning, directing, and supervising of work for 26 attorneys furnishing legal, legislative, pre-award, dispute litigation and GAO bid protest services for VA system-wide procurements (technology, construction, supply, services, pharmaceuticals, National Acquisition Center (Hines, Denver), prime vendor, scarce medical, FSS, etc.). Mr. Thomas also provided legal advice for environmental, real estate and leases, suspensions and debarment and VA cemeteries. As Assistant General Counsel, Mr. Thomas had 342 reported decisions and 112 GAO and GSBCA protests; as well as hundreds of others cases that we were settled or otherwise resolved prior to reaching formal decision.
Mr. Thomas was responsible for analyzing the law and developing regulations for the implementation of Public Law 102-585, Section 603, Limitation on Prices of Drugs Procured by Department of Veterans Affairs and Certain Other Federal Agencies.
Mr. Thomas wrote the Master Agreement and Pharmaceutical Pricing Agreement, which involved meeting with the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association and acting as the primary speaker and master of ceremony for industry-wide implementation meeting in Chicago. Mr. Thomas conducted on-going discussions with pharmaceutical counsel and technical personnel. He also conducted environmental impact hearings for Baltimore, Portland, and Detroit VA replacement hospitals, and provided legal advice on Environmental Impact Statements and environmental issues nationwide.
Mr. Thomas provided over 100 procurement training sessions covering all aspects of the procurement process. Specifically, these training sessions included construction contracts and how to deal with changes, differing site conditions, suspensions and delays, and the so called "remedy granting" clauses. Mr. Thomas also taught training on the Critical Path Method (CPM) for contracting officers, COTRs, and construction engineers.
Mr. Thomas represented the VA at meetings with the Small Business Administration to obtain special eligibility status for Veteran and Disabled Veteran owned businesses. He provided support for cases in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and Court of Claims, and also briefed members of Congress on VA procurement matters. Mr. Thomas served on special three person committees, including the ADP Bid Protest Procedures, the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, and the Administrative Conference of the United States.
Deputy Assistant General Counsel, Professional staff Group V, Office of General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs
Mr. Thomas performed deputy duties similar to those while in the Assistant General Counsel position. Mr. Thomas was responsible for all legal advice and guidance for VA's construction program, from inception and funding to contract completion, including claims, disputes and litigation.
Trial Attorney, Claims and Litigation Division, Office of General Counsel, General Services Administration
Mr. Thomas was responsible for the preparation and trial of appeals before the GSA Board of Contract Appeals. Mr. Thomas was the Special Assignment as attorney of record in the Merriman V. Sampson (Gateway) litigation before the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania involving the leasing of a Federal Office Building. This case, one of the few procurement cases to reach the Supreme Court, involved numerous depositions and testimony of banks and lending institutions, Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, judges and the Administrator of GSA. Mr. Thomas also handled all claims and disputes involving FBI Headquarters building and the FBI Training Center at Quantico, VA.
Awards and Recognitions
•Member of the Virginia Bar
•Recipient of the Bronze Star
•Presidential Rank Award
•Received Special Contribution Awards and numerous Commendations and Certificates of Appreciation from clients, such as the Chief Medical Director and the IG President of the
•Government Administrative Trial Lawyers Association
Email: bt@manfredonialaw.com
