Board means the Board of Contract Appeals established under this subpart.

Contract means any agreement entered into by the Department or its agencies or authorized officials with any person having the legal effect of a contract between the Department and such person.

Contracting officer means any person who, by appointment in accordance with applicable regulations, has the authority to enter into and administer contracts and make determinations and findings with respect thereto and includes the authorized representative of the contracting officer, acting within the limits of his/her authority.

Days means calendar days. Except as otherwise provided by law, in computing any period of time prescribed by the rules in this part or any order of the Board, the day of the event from which the designated period of time begins to run shall not be included, but the last day of the period shall be included unless it is a Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday, in which even the period shall run to the end of the next business day. If mailing is required, the date of the postmark shall be treated as the date action was taken.

Department means the United States Department of Agriculture.

Government attorney means the attorney of the Department designated to handle a particular appeal on behalf of the contracting officer.

Person means any individual, partnership, public or private corporation, association, agency or other legal entity.