OPINION OF THE COURT

COWEN, Circuit Judge.

Linan-Faye Construction Company Co., Inc. ("Linan-Faye"), a public housing contractor, appeals from orders of the district court that granted summary judgment for the Housing Authority of the City of Camden ("HACC") on Linan-Faye's claims under public contract law and 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Because the district court erred in applying federal common law rather than state law to resolve this dispute, we will reverse and remand to the district court for further proceedings. Nevertheless, since we conclude that in the absence of New Jersey law which specifically interprets "termination for convenience" clauses New Jersey courts would look to federal common law for guidance, we will limit the triable issues on remand to a determination of: (1) the definition of "work performed" for purposes of paragraph 17 of Linan-Faye's contract with HACC; (2) the pre-termination expenses incurred by Linan-Faye that may be compensable as "work performed" under paragraph 17 of the contract; and (3) HACC's liability, if any, for damages resulting from HACC's withholding of Linan-Faye's performance bond after termination. Finally, because the district court did not err in determining that Linan-Faye failed to demonstrate a protectible property or liberty interest sufficient to support its § 1983 claim, we will affirm the district court's grant of summary judgment on this claim.

I. FACTS PROCEDURAL HISTORY

On August 11, 1988, HACC advertised for bids on a housing modernization project. The project involved the renovation and rehabilitation of 244 housing units and was to be funded in substantial part by a grant from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to the Public and Indian Housing Comprehensive Improvement Assistance Program ("CIAP"). Plaintiff, Linan-Faye, attended all required pre-bid meetings and submitted a bid of $4,264,000, together with supporting documentation which included a bid bond, performance bond, qualification statement, and required affidavits. Linan-Faye was the lowest responsible bidder for the job, underbidding its nearest competitor by $600,000. Accordingly, HACC informed Linan-Faye that the contract was to be forthcoming.

Linan-Faye engaged in preparatory activities in connection with the contract, including meeting with prospective subcontractors, job planning and pricing, talking with relevant inspectors, and securing insurance. Also, on several occasions, representatives of Linan-Faye met with HACC and its architect to discuss specifications and make preparations for the commencement of physical construction. Linan-Faye, however, never began physical construction because numerous disputes broke out between the parties over interpretation of the specifications.

Linan-Faye contends that HACC demanded concessions before permitting work to begin. HACC maintains that the parties arrived at different interpretations of the project plans and specifications, and this conflict became evident at pre-construction meetings. On November 29, 1988, as the result of these disputes, HACC advised Linan-Faye that it was going to rebid the project. Linan-Faye filed suit to enjoin this rebidding and allow it to complete the project as bid.

The district court entered a temporary restraining order to prevent HACC from accepting further bids. Subsequently, the court approved a Stipulation of Settlement and Order of Dismissal with Prejudice, under which the parties agreed to execute the contract and proceed with the project as originally planned. Nevertheless, disputes soon broke out again.

On November 22, 1989, HACC issued a Notice to Proceed. Linan-Faye contends that the notice was limited to an order to correct certain plumbing problems that were a portion of the original contract. Linan-Faye refused to proceed in a piecemeal fashion, and insisted that it would not begin work until a certain number of vacant buildings were available at the same time so that it could achieve economies of scale. HACC responded that it had scattered vacant units available, but not rows of units.

Subsequently, HACC attempted first to extract the plumbing segment from the contract and, when that failed, proposed a complete buy-out of Linan-Faye's contract. The parties entertained the possibility of a buy-out until July of 1990, at which time HUD informed HACC that it would not approve a buy-out. HACC reinstated the previous Notice to Proceed by letter dated July 23, 1990.

At a preconstruction meeting on September 6, 1990, Linan-Faye informed HACC that it would not start work until the contract price was increased to reflect the costs incurred by the delay in commencing construction. HACC responded that Linan-Faye had to begin work before it would address the issue of the price increase.

HACC elected to terminate Linan-Faye's contract by letter dated September 25, 1990. In that letter, Gregory Kern, the Interim Executive Director of HACC, stated that HACC would instruct the Modernization Office to assist Linan-Faye in reclaiming its performance bond. While the letter did not mention the terms "breach" or "default," it did state that Linan-Faye "had continually failed to demonstrate its intent to perform under the public contract." Letter from Kern to Norman Faye (September 25, 1990); App. Vol. I at 114-115. HACC confirmed its decision to terminate by letter dated October 23, 1990.

Linan-Faye objected to the termination and filed the instant action on October 26, 1990, setting forth theories of recovery under New Jersey public contracts law and 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Linan-Faye served HACC with a complaint in December of 1990 seeking specific performance and damages. HACC did not surrender Linan-Faye's performance bond until July of 1991, after the district court determined that specific performance was not available to Linan-Faye.

In April of 1992, HACC filed a motion for summary judgment on Linan-Faye's civil rights claim and for the first time argued, in that same motion, that the "termination for convenience" clause set forth in paragraph 17 of the General Conditions of their contract limited Linan-Faye's damages under the contract. The district court granted HACC's motion for summary judgment on the § 1983 claim, but deferred decision on the effect of the termination of convenience clause pending further discovery.

Upon a renewed motion for summary judgment, the district court held for HACC, determining that Linan-Faye's damages would be limited to those compensable under the contract's termination for convenience clause. The district court left open, however, the possibility of recovery for damages accruing from HACC's initial failure to identify specifically the termination as one of convenience.

HACC filed its third motion for summary judgment on October 27, 1993. In that motion, HACC contended that since Linan-Faye never began work under the contract, it could not recover any damages under the termination for convenience clause. Linan-Faye responded that it could recover damages for: (1) preparatory costs such as soliciting subcontractors, pricing, and pre-construction meetings; (2) improper notice of termination; (3) pre-termination delay by HACC; and (4) HACC's refusal to relinquish Linan-Faye's performance bond. Determining that federal common law applied in interpreting this contract, the district court held that Linan-Faye incurred no compensable damages under the termination for convenience clause. The court, therefore, entered an order granting summary judgment for HACC. This appeal followed.

Following oral argument before this Court, HACC and Linan-Faye agreed to participate in non-binding mediation of the controversy before the Honorable Max Rosenn, Senior Circuit Judge. By memorandum dated November 9, 1994, Judge Rosenn informed us that efforts to reach a settlement of the controversy through mediation were unsuccessful.

II. JURISDICTION OVERVIEW OF ISSUES RAISED IN THIS APPEAL

The district court exercised jurisdiction in this matter by virtue of the diversity of citizenship of the parties with the requisite amount in controversy pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1332 (1988). This Court has jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291 (1988). Linan-Faye essentially raises six issues on appeal: (1) whether the district court erred in applying federal common law and not the law of New Jersey to interpret this contract; (2) whether New Jersey law precludes retroactive application of a termination for convenience clause; (3) whether the district court was correct in its application of the constructive termination for convenience doctrine; (4) whether the district court erred by engaging in impermissible fact finding so as to deny Linan-Faye all compensation; (5) whether Linan-Faye has an actionable claim for violation of its civil rights; and (6) whether HACC's position that the termination for convenience clause denies any recovery is barred by principles of equitable and judicial estoppel.

III. CHOICE OF LAW

Linan-Faye contends that the district court erred in applying federal common law and not the law of New Jersey to resolve this dispute. According to Linan-Faye, this action involves a contract dispute between a private contractor and an autonomous public housing authority created pursuant to New Jersey law. Where such parties enter federal court based upon diversity of citizenship, Linan-Faye argues, the federal courts presumptively apply state law. See Erie R. Co. v. Tompkins, 304 U.S. 64, 78, 58 S.Ct. 817, 822, 82 L.Ed. 1188 (1938). We agree.

Our review of a district court's determination as to choice of law is plenary. Louis W. Epstein Family Partnership v. Kmart Corp., 13 F.3d 762, 766 (3d Cir. 1994) (citing Universal Minerals, Inc. v. C.A. Hughes Co., 669 F.2d 98, 102 (3d Cir. 1981)). This Court's recent decision in Virgin Islands Housing Authority v. Coastal General Construction Services Corp., 27 F.3d 911 (3d Cir. 1994), strongly indicates the proper result in this case. In Coastal General, we determined, in the context of deciding a question of federal jurisdiction, that local law, not federal law, governs a dispute over the termination provisions of a contract between a public housing authority and a private construction company. Id. at 917. As we stated in Coastal General, "[t]he fact that a contract is subject to federal regulation does not, in itself, demonstrate that Congress meant that all aspects of its performance or nonperformance are to be governed by federal law rather than state law applicable to similar contracts in businesses not under federal regulation." Id. at 916 (quoting Lindy v. Lynn, 501 F.2d 1367, 1369 (3d Cir. 1974)). In addition, we explained that even if the contractor's complaint contained assertions respecting the use of federal funds in a construction project and the adoption of contractual forms authorized by HUD, there would be no difference in outcome. Id. 27 F.3d at 917.

Similar to Coastal General, in the instant case a public housing authority contracted with a private construction company. Linan-Faye, the construction company, did not contract directly with the United States government. While HUD funded the construction project in part, and HUD forms were used in the contract, Coastal General teaches that these facts do not dictate application of federal common law. Rather, the holding of Coastal General indicates that in construing termination clauses such as the one at issue in this case, courts must look to local law. Thus, the district court was incorrect in applying federal common law and not the law of New Jersey to resolve this dispute.

The district court erred in deviating from the generally applicable Erie doctrine. The Supreme Court, in Boyle v. United Technologies Corp., 487 U.S. 500, 108 S.Ct. 2510, 101 L.Ed.2d 442 (1988), set forth a two-pronged inquiry for determining whether to apply federal common law in the absence of an express Congressional grant of such authority. According to the Supreme Court, a court must first determine whether the action involves "`uniquely federal interests.'" Id. at 504, 108 S.Ct. at 2514 (citing Texas Industries Inc. v. Radcliff Materials, Inc., 451 U.S. 630, 640, 101 S.Ct. 2061, 2067, 68 L.Ed.2d 500 (1981)). Once a court identifies a uniquely federal interest, the court must then determine whether a "significant conflict" exists between an identifiable "federal policy or interest and the [operation] of state law." Id. 487 U.S. at 507, 108 S.Ct. at 2516 (quoting Wallis v. Pan American Petroleum Corp., 384 U.S. 63, 68, 86 S.Ct. 1301, 1304, 16 L.Ed.2d 369 (1966)).

Relying on American Pipe Steel Corp. v. Firestone Tire Rubber Co., 292 F.2d 640 (9th Cir. 1961), and United States v. Taylor, 333 F.2d 633 (5th Cir. 1964), the district court concluded that the government's interest in ensuring a uniform interpretation of the termination for convenience provisions in this contract provided the "significant federal interest" necessary to pre-empt state law. Linan-Faye Construction Co. v. Housing Authority of Camden, 847 F. Supp. 1191, 1197 (D.N.J. 1994). These cases, however, do not dictate this result. While both of these cases applied federal law in interpreting a contract, the government interest was far more significant in those cases than in the case at hand. In American Pipe Steel, the Court of Appeals for the Ninth circuit stated, "we agree generally with appellee that the construction of subcontracts, let under prime contracts connected with the national security, should be regulated by a uniform federal law." American Pipe Steel, 292 F.2d at 644. The instant case involves no matter of national security. Further, the court in American Pipe Steel expressly acknowledged that the development of the law in this area was "still uncertain and unclear." Id. Similarly, in Taylor, the contract at issue involved the construction of an atomic energy plant, a matter intricately involved with national security during the 1950's and 1960's. Taylor, 333 F.2d at 635. The Taylor court also explicitly referred to the fact that American Pipe Steel dictated application of federal common law in such a case. Id. at 637. Thus, both of these decisions concerned matters of national security that are simply not present in this case.

Moreover, the district court erred in finding a conflict between federal and state law that would endanger any federal interest involved. The district court correctly recognized the proposition that a lawsuit which involves a federal interest is a "necessary, not a sufficient, condition for the displacement of state law." Linan-Faye Construction Co., 847 F. Supp. at 1198 (quoting Boyle 487 U.S. at 507, 108 S.Ct. at 2516). The court, however, failed to identify a significant conflict. In the only paragraph that attempts to identify a conflict, the court stated:

We find it implausible that the federal government would require all CIAP contracts in excess of $10,000.00 to contain a termination for convenience clause, and then leave interpretation of that clause to the vagaries of state law, particularly where, like New Jersey, there are few or no state law cases interpreting this type of provision. Rather, we believe that the decision to include a termination for convenience clause in the "Uniform Requirements" section of the C.F.R. reflects a federal interest in a consistent interpretation of that clause.

Id.

The first sentence of this paragraph merely assumes the answer to the question the court is wrestling with: whether Congress left interpretation of clauses in these types of contracts to state law. The second sentence of the above quoted paragraph simply reidentifies the interest involved, it does not point out a conflict with state law.

The problem with the district court's reasoning is highlighted by its own analysis of what the outcome would be under state law. The court states, "[e]ven assuming that New Jersey law were to apply, we have no basis for believing that New Jersey courts would look elsewhere than to federal common law for guidance." Id. If New Jersey courts, as is likely, would look to federal common law to decide this question for which there is little state law precedent on point, then the court is incorrect in its assertion that a conflict exists. The outcome would be the same under both federal and state common law. Thus, the court erred in applying federal common law and not the law of New Jersey to resolve this dispute and we must reverse with the direction that the district court resolve all remaining issues in accordance with New Jersey law.

IV. NEW JERSEY LAW

Having decided that it is the law of New Jersey that governs the interpretation of this contract, we must now decide whether Linan-Faye is correct when it argues that the general principles of contract damages under New Jersey law would permit Linan-Faye to recover full expectation damages under this contract rather than those damages provided for under the contract's termination for convenience clause. Citing A-S Development, Inc. v. W.R. Grace Land Corp., 537 F. Supp. 549, 557 (D.N.J. 1982), aff'd 707 F.2d 1388 (3d Cir. 1983), and other cases, Linan-Faye states that under New Jersey law one who breaches an agreement must compensate the injured party in order to put the non-breaching party in as good a position as he would have been in had performance been rendered as promised. Further, Linan-Faye argues that New Jersey courts have declined to import federal procurement concepts into their contract law jurisprudence. See Edwin J. Dobson, Jr., Inc. v. Rutgers, 157 N.J. Super. 357, 418, 384 A.2d 1121, 1152 n. 10 (1978) ("The policy factors that have lead [sic] to the development of this concept in federal contracts, such as a need to expand or abandon a particular arms program with consequent economic impact on contractors and subcontractors, do not warrant state courts adopting it wholesale by judicial fiat when traditional remedies for breach of contract are available."), aff'd sub nom., Broadway Maintenance Corp. v. Rutgers, 180 N.J. Super. 350, 434 A.2d 1125 (A.D. 1981), aff'd, 90 N.J. 253, 447 A.2d 906 (1982). While the cases Linan-Faye cites stand for these general propositions, such generalities provide insufficient guidance in deciding the proper construction of a contract that contains a termination for convenience clause.

It is undisputed that there are no cases in New Jersey construing the effect of termination for convenience clauses. It is also undisputed that there are numerous federal cases dealing specifically with termination for convenience clauses and, in particular, with the doctrine of constructive termination for convenience. Therefore, as the district court stated, "courts in New Jersey would recognize that where the parties have incorporated a particular clause pursuant to federal regulation, they do so against the backdrop of federal case law addressing the clause." Linan-Faye Construction Co., 847 F. Supp. at 1198. Accordingly, we align ourselves with the district court in its determination that if New Jersey law were to apply, New Jersey courts would look to this rich body of federal common law concerning the termination for convenience doctrine, unless to do so would violate some enshrined principle of New Jersey law. Id. Like the district court, we are unable to discern such a principle.

V. TERMINATION FOR CONVENIENCE

Because the New Jersey Supreme Court would likely look to federal common law as persuasive authority in order to construe this contract's termination for convenience clause, we must examine the parties' contentions in light of the relevant federal case law. As a preliminary matter, we must determine the method HACC used to terminate Linan-Faye. HACC argues that it terminated Linan-Faye by letter of September 25, 1990, and this letter constituted a termination for convenience Linan-Faye, on the other hand, argues that this letter constituted a default termination. Linan-Faye has the better of this argument.

HACC's letter of September 25, 1990 is replete with references to defaults on the part of Linan-Faye. HACC stated in the letter that Linan-Faye's correspondence evidences Linan-Faye's "intent to avoid compliance with the specifications." Letter from HACC to Norman Faye (September 25, 1990); App. Vol. I at 114. Further, HACC stated in its letter that Linan-Faye had "continually failed to demonstrate its intent to perform under the public contract" and that "it is clear" Linan-Faye is "no closer to performing its contract obligations then it was in September of 1988." Id. at 114, 115. Nowhere in this letter does HACC state that it is terminating Linan-Faye simply for convenience. It is apparent from this document that HACC originally terminated Linan-Faye for default.

Given HACC's original termination of Linan-Faye for default, the question that we must reach is whether the court should retroactively convert this termination for default into a termination for convenience. HACC argues, based on a number of cases from the United States Court of Claims and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, that the district court did not err in invoking the constructive termination for convenience doctrine in order to convert this default termination into a termination for the convenience of the Housing Authority. Linan-Faye, argues that under federal common law the doctrine of constructive termination for convenience has no application to this case. According to Linan-Faye, Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR's) applicable to direct procurement contracts provide for a "conversion clause," a clause that automatically converts a termination for default into a termination for convenience. 48 C.F.R. § 49.401(b) (1993). Linan-Faye suggests, therefore, that because no such regulations exist in grant situations such as this, there is an expressed intent that such a conversion not be allowed. We find Linan-Faye's argument unpersuasive.

The absence of a conversion provision in regulations concerning CIAP grants does not preclude application of federal common law. While the FAR's have an explicit conversion clause, it was the federal common law that originally developed the concept of termination for convenience, and later developed the concept of constructive termination for convenience. We find it appropriate to apply federal common law.

The idea that the government can, under certain circumstances, terminate a contract without paying full expectation damages, dates from the winding down of military procurement following the civil war. Torncello v. United States, 681 F.2d 756, 764, 231 Ct.Cl. 20 (1982). The termination for convenience doctrine originated "in the reasonable recognition that continuing with wartime contracts after the war was over clearly was against the public interest." Id. Where the government terminates a private contractor pursuant to a termination for convenience clause in a contract, instead of receiving full expectation damages the contractor's recovery is defined by the termination for convenience clause. Recovery is limited to "`costs incurred, profit based on the work done, and the costs of preparing the termination settlement proposal.'" Maxima Corp. v. United States, 847 F.2d 1549, 1552 (Fed.Cir. 1988) (quoting R. Nash J. Cibinic, Federal Procurement Law 1104 (3d ed. 1980)) After World War II, termination for convenience came to be applied to peacetime non-military procurement. Id. (citing Torncello, 681 F.2d at 765-66).

Constructive termination for convenience, an outgrowth of termination for convenience, is a judge-made doctrine that allows an actual breach by the government to be retroactively justified. Maxima Corp., 847 F.2d at 1553. This doctrine has its origins in the Supreme Court's decision in College Point Boat Corp. v. United States, 267 U.S. 12, 45 S.Ct. 199, 69 L.Ed. 490 (1925). In that decision, the Supreme Court held:

A party to a contract who is sued for its breach may ordinarily defend on the ground that there existed, at the time, a legal excuse for nonperformance by him, although he was then ignorant of the fact. He may, likewise, justify an asserted termination, rescission, or repudiation, of a contract by proving that there was, at the time, an adequate cause, although it did not become known to him until later.

College Point, 267 U.S. at 15-16, 45 S.Ct. at 200-01 (footnotes omitted) (emphasis added).

The decision of the Court of Claims in John Reiner Company v. United States, 325 F.2d 438, 163 Ct.Cl. 381 (1963), cert. denied, 377 U.S. 931, 84 S.Ct. 1332, 12 L.Ed.2d 295 (1964), demonstrates the operation of this doctrine. In John Reiner, the plaintiff contracted with the government to supply generator sets to the Army. Id. 325 F.2d at 439. Following delivery of a written contract, but before performance commenced, the government notified the plaintiff that the contract was canceled and that the contract would be rebid because of an impropriety in the original bidding procedure identified by a competitor. Id. Nevertheless, no such impropriety was found to exist. Id. at 442. The Court of Claims, therefore, was forced to consider the proper measure of damages to the contractor. In answering this question, the court determined that while the government did not rely on the termination for convenience clause in canceling the contract with the plaintiff, because it could have so relied, the measure of damages was limited to the damages provided for in that clause. Id. at 443. According to the court, even though the excuse originally offered was not a "valid justification," a "good ground did exist in the far-reaching right to terminate under the termination article." Id. This case granted the government great latitude in retroactively terminating contracts for convenience.

Perhaps the high-water mark of courts' permissiveness in allowing the government to terminate for convenience, constructively or otherwise, was Colonial Metals Co. v. United States, 494 F.2d 1355, 204 Ct.Cl. 320 (1974), overruled in part by Torncello v. United States, 681 F.2d 756, 231 Ct.Cl. 20 (1982). In that case, a dealer in copper contracted with the government to sell copper ingot to the Navy. Id., 494 F.2d at 1357. The government terminated this contract to obtain the copper ingot from other sources at a cheaper price. Id. The court held that even where the government knew of the better price elsewhere at the time it awarded the contract and then later decided to terminate the contract to pursue the better price, in the absence of proof of malice or conspiracy, termination was not improper. Id. at 1361.

Termination for convenience, and its expansion into the constructive termination for convenience doctrine, however, does not confer upon the government a discretion that is unbounded. In granting the government the privilege of constructive termination for convenience, courts brush up against the problem of allowing the government to create an illusory contract. See Torncello, 681 F.2d at 769 (when evaluating a termination for convenience, one cannot ignore hornbook law that "a route of complete escape vitiates any other consideration furnished and is incompatible with the existence of a contract."). Accordingly, courts have articulated limits on the use of the constructive termination for convenience doctrine in various ways. For instance, in Torncello the Court of Claims stated that the constructive application of a termination for convenience clause requires "some kind of change from the circumstances of the bargain or in the expectations of the parties" Id. at 772. In Kalvar Corp. v. United States, 543 F.2d 1298, 1301, 211 Ct. Cl. 192 (1976), cert. denied, 434 U.S. 830, 98 S.Ct. 112, 54 L.Ed.2d 89 (1977), by contrast, the court's inquiry into whether to prevent the government from receiving the benefit of the termination for convenience clause focused on whether the government evidenced any bad faith in terminating the contract. Pointing out that the court is required to presume good faith on the part of public officials, the court in that case determined that the contractor could not avoid the application of the termination for convenience clause. Id. 543 F.2d at 1301-02; see also SMS Data Products Group, Inc. v. United States, 19 Cl.Ct. 612, 617 (1990) ("This court presumes that Government officials act in good faith.").

In this matter, the district court concluded that under the bad faith test it was proper to allow HACC to invoke the doctrine of constructive termination for convenience. Additionally, the district court commented that even under the changed circumstances test of Torncello, the deterioration in the relationship between HACC and Linan-Faye would constitute sufficiently changed circumstances to apply this doctrine. We agree with the district court's decision that it was appropriate to apply the constructive termination for convenience doctrine in this case for two reasons. First, Linan-Faye has produced insufficient evidence of bad faith on the part of HACC to overcome the presumption that public officials act in good faith. Second, this case is very different from Torncello.

In Torncello, the government awarded a private contractor the right to service all of the Navy's pest control needs. Torncello, 681 F.2d at 758, 762. However, after awarding the contract to this contractor, the Navy called the Department of Navy Public Works to perform the task because this organization, from its initial bid, appeared to be able to do the work cheaper. Id. at 758. The government invoked the constructive termination for convenience doctrine arguing that since it had never called the private contractor to perform any actual work, the private contractor was not entitled to any damages. Id. at 759. Limiting its decision in Colonial Metals, the court held, in an opinion joined by only three of six judges, that the requirement of the government's good faith is not sufficient and that without other checks, free termination for convenience is not supportable. Id. at 771.

In the matter at hand, Linan-Faye does not claim that HACC terminated its contract to obtain the work at a cheaper price. Linan-Faye also does not claim that HACC terminated the contract in order to obtain work from a lower bidder who was known to HACC at the time it contracted with Linan-Faye. Indeed, Linan-Faye points out in its brief that it was the low bidder for the project. Brief of Linan-Faye at 1. Thus, the divisive facts presented in Torncello are not present here.

Moreover, subsequent cases have limited the scope of Torncello. The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, for example, has stated that Torncello "stands for the unremarkable proposition that when the government contracts with a party knowing full well that it will not honor the contract, it cannot avoid a breach claim by adverting to the convenience termination clause." Salsbury Industries v. United States, 905 F.2d 1518, 1521 (Fed.Cir. 1990), cert. denied, 498 U.S. 1024, 111 S.Ct. 671, 112 L.Ed.2d 664 (1991); see also T.I. Construction Co. v. Kiewit Eastern Co., No. 91-2638, 1992 WL 382306, at *9 (E.D.Pa. Dec. 10, 1992) (citing language in Torncello indicating that its holding was limited to the facts presented); Modern Systems Technology Corp. v. United States, 24 Cl.Ct. 699, 704 (1992) (applying bad faith test and reading Torncello to stand only for the above stated proposition), aff'd, 980 F.2d 745 (Fed.Cir. 1992). In addition, in a subsequent case, the United states Claims Court stated that "Torncello did not change the traditional understanding" that the "Government could invoke the clause so long as it did not act in bad faith or clearly abuse its discretion." SMS Data Products, 19 Cl.Ct. at 619-20. In light of these developments, and considering the division among the court in Torncello, we decline to read that case as significantly limiting the power of the government in terminating for convenience.

As the district court recognized, the post award deterioration of the relationship between HACC and Linan-Faye which included conflict over the specifications would likely constitute sufficiently changed circumstances to justify application of the doctrine of constructive termination for convenience even under the reasoning in Torncello. See Embrey v. United States, 17 Cl.Ct. 617, 624-25 (1989) (deterioration of business relations considered sufficiently changed circumstances to allow government to terminate for convenience); see also SMS Data Products, 19 Cl.Ct. at 621 (genuine concern that contractor could not meet the contract's mandatory requirements constituted changed circumstances). Without establishing a litmus test as to what constitutes changed circumstances, which is unnecessary in view of subsequent limits on Torncello, we hold that New Jersey courts, looking to federal law as persuasive authority, would permit HACC to invoke the constructive termination for convenience doctrine in this instance. Accordingly, damages will be limited by the termination for convenience clause of the contract.

VI. COMPENSATION IN LIGHT OF THE TERMINATION FOR CONVENIENCE CLAUSE

Having determined that the termination for convenience clause is applicable in this case, we must next decide whether the district court erred in granting summary judgment for HACC and denying Linan-Faye all compensation. Linan-Faye contends that the district court exceeded its role at the summary judgment stage because there still remain six contested issues concerning its contract claim. According to Linan-Faye, the district court erred in determining: (1) the definition of "work performed" under the contract; (2) there was no evidence of compensable pre-termination expenses under the contract; (3) the reason why HACC retained Linan-Faye's performance bond; (4) that Linan-Faye "refused" to begin work; (5) that Linan-Faye misunderstood the contract specifications; and (6) that there was proper HUD approval of the contract's termination.

Our scope of review is plenary in determining the propriety of summary judgment. Oritani Savings Loan Ass'n v. Fidelity Deposit Co., 989 F.2d 635, 637 (3d Cir. 1993). Summary judgment is proper only "if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 2552, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986). Further, at the summary judgment stage, "the judge's function is not himself to weigh the evidence and determine the truth of the matter but to determine whether there is a genuine issue for trial." Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 249, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 2511, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986).

Three of the issues that Linan-Faye raises are genuine issues of material fact in dispute. The other issues concern facts that are either not material, or are not in dispute. We will reverse the decision of the district court granting summary judgment on those issues where there is a genuine issue of material fact in dispute.

A. Definition of "Work Performed" Under the Contract

Linan-Faye argues that the trial court improperly selected isolated phrases from correspondence between the parties in its determination that the phrase "work performed" in paragraph 17 of the contract refers only to "physical construction" and not to preparatory work. The district court conceded that the contract documents, which include the contract's General Conditions and its Supplement to the Standard Form Agreement, failed to define the term "work." Linan-Faye Construction Co., 847 F. Supp. at 1206. Based on an analysis of the word "work" as used in several paragraphs of the contract, the district court concluded that "work" could not include "preparatory work" until after Linan-Faye began physical construction on the project. Id. at 1207. We conclude that the district court erred in determining this disputed issue of fact.

Paragraph 8(a) of the General Conditions of this contract is the paragraph from which the district court draws the most support for its conclusion that "work" under the termination for convenience clause does not include "preparatory work." The court's reading of this paragraph, however, is too strained to support a grant of summary judgment. Paragraph 8(a) of the General Conditions states:

Progress payments will be made at approximately thirty (30) day intervals; and in preparing estimates, acceptable work in place, material delivered to and properly stored on the site, and preparatory work done will be taken into consideration. If the contract covers more than one project, a separate estimate shall be furnished for each.

App. Vol. II at 42. From this paragraph, the district court deduced that expenses for preparatory work were recoverable only if the contractor begins the physical construction required under the contract. Linan-Faye Construction Co., 847 F. Supp. at 1207. This conclusion is unjustified.

There is nothing in the language of paragraph 8(a) that speaks to situations where HACC terminates Linan-Faye for convenience after Linan-Faye has performed preparatory work, but before it has begun physical construction. If anything, the language of this paragraph demonstrates that both parties considered preparatory work to be a compensable cost because the paragraph states that preparatory work will be taken into consideration in preparing estimates for compensation. Thus, the district court erred in concluding that this paragraph is dispositive.

The district court's survey of numerous other paragraphs containing the word "work" also produces inconclusive results. According to the court, paragraph 2 which requires the contractor to "furnish all necessary labor, materials, tools, equipment, water, light, heat, power, transportation, and supervision necessary for performance of the work," and paragraph 22 which allows the contractor to request from the architect drawings "which will [be required] in the planning and production of the work" somehow indicate that "work performed" under paragraph 17 does not include preparatory work. Id. at 1206 (emphasis added). These provisions, on their face, do not appear to support any such conclusion. In addition, the district court determined that paragraphs 26, 29 and 35, which refer to the contractor's obligation to protect "work completed to date" and to the warranty as to "work done," support the conclusion that work performed under the termination for convenience clause does not include preparatory work. Once again, if anything, these provisions merely beg the question of how to define "work" under paragraph 17 of the contract. Finally, the court refers to paragraphs 7 and 31 that speak to obligations of the contractor before and shortly after "commencing work" under the contract. Unfortunately, these paragraphs also do not illuminate whether the parties considered preparatory work to constitute compensable work for purposes of the termination for convenience clause.

Linan-Faye asks for the opportunity to present testimony and cross-examine witnesses concerning the intent of the parties in using the phrase "work performed" in paragraph 17 of the contract. Based on the evidence mustered by the district court, we cannot conclude that there is no dispute as to this issue. Further, this issue is material to the question of what constitutes proper compensation under paragraph 17. Therefore, Linan-Faye should be allowed to present the evidence that it feels is appropriate to determine the intent of the parties. Accordingly, we hold that the district court erred in granting summary judgment for HACC on this disputed issue.

B. Evidence of Pre-Termination Expenses

Related to the disputed issue of the definition of "work performed" under the contract is the issue of whether Linan-Faye produced any evidence of pre-termination expenses compensable as "work performed." The district court determined that Linan-Faye "had presented no evidence of expenses that would merit an equitable adjustment to the contract." Id. at 1208 n. 22. Linan-Faye argues that the certification which it submitted in opposition to HACC's third motion for summary judgment provides the requisite evidence. Linan-Faye is correct.

The district court, at this early stage of the litigation, improperly concluded that there was "no evidence" of expenses compensable under the termination for convenience clause. Linan-Faye described 15 types of expenses that Linan-Faye incurred preparing for work on the HACC contract. Certification of Norman Faye (October 21, 1993); App. at 231-33. While many of these "expenses" may not be compensable, some of the stated expenses, such as time spent "with municipal building, plumbing and electrical inspectors regarding job phasing, contract details, code requirements, and problem solving," may be compensable if the parties so intended under the termination for convenience clause of the contract. Cf. ITI Defense Communications Division, Nos. 11858, 13439, 1970 WL 1124, 1970 ASBCA Lexis 29, at *56 (July 29, 1970) (cost of work done by appellant in preparing and submitting configurations that were never used still properly compensable under the termination for convenience clause); Navgas, Inc., No. 9240, 1964 WL 475, 1964 ASBCA Lexis 1139, at *29 (November 18, 1964) (costs of investigating work to be done, and determining the best way to perform the contract, if awarded, are properly compensable under termination for convenience clause). Although, on the whole, the evidence produced by Linan-Faye in this certification appears meager, by granting summary judgment for HACC the district court improvidently prevented the plaintiff from developing the record more fully. There was not a complete lack of evidence. Accordingly, we must reverse the grant of summary judgment on this issue and remand for trial.

In remanding for trial on this issue, however, it is important to explain precisely the scope of our holding. We do not hold that Linan-Faye is entitled to pre-termination expenses that accrued as the result of any alleged pre-termination breaches of contract by HACC. As the district court correctly held, cases that have addressed the issue of pre-termination breaches have concluded that claims for such damages are subsumed in the termination for convenience clause. Linan-Faye Construction Co., 847 F. Supp. at 1203, 1204 (citing Nolan Brothers, Inc. v. United States, 405 F.2d 1250, 186 Ct.Cl. 602 (1969)); Descon System Ltd. v. United States, 6 Cl.Ct. 410 (1984)). Pre-termination expenses that accrued as the result of any alleged pre-termination breaches by HACC are not compensable. On remand, the triable issue is limited to a determination of the pre-termination expenses which Linan-Faye incurred that the parties intended to be compensable as "work performed" under the termination for convenience clause of the contract.

C. Why HACC Retained Linan-Faye's Performance Bond

Linan-Faye next contends that the trial court improperly resolved a factual dispute as to why HACC retained Linan-Faye's performance bonds after terminating Linan-Faye. According to Linan-Faye, it is entitled to damages arising from HACC's failure to return this performance bond. Linan-Faye alleges that by retaining its bond, HACC prevented it from accepting other construction contracts and used the bond as an inducement to force Linan-Faye to accept an unreasonable resolution of this dispute. HACC argues that it retained Linan-Faye's performance bond because Linan-Faye instituted a suit seeking specific performance and if Linan-Faye were successful, HACC would need Linan-Faye's bond.

This issue is not resolved solely by reference to the termination for convenience clause because the events that give rise to this claim occurred after termination. Recognizing this, the district court decided the issue by concluding that keeping the bonds during the pendency of the litigation was the "logical response" to the plaintiff's lawsuit. Linan-Faye Construction Co., 847 F. Supp. at 1205.

Unfortunately, there is no testimony or record evidence to support the conclusion that HACC engaged in the "logical response" posited by the district court. No one from HACC ever indicated that it was Linan-Faye's suit for specific performance that prevented HACC from returning the bond. Counsel for HACC simply raised this argument when the case took on a litigation posture. This naked assertion by counsel, without record support, is not sufficient to warrant a grant of summary judgment.

The district court attempts to justify its decision to accept HACC's argument by referring to the September 25, 1990 termination letter sent by Gregory Kern, the Interim Executive Director of HACC. Nevertheless, its reasoning is unpersuasive. According to the court, Mr. Kern's letter which indicated that HACC would return the bonds was sent before Linan-Faye instituted suit. Linan-Faye, 847 F. Supp. at 1205 n. 16. Therefore, the court reasoned, " [t]he decision of the HACC to depart from Mr. Kern's original plan only supports [the] finding that HACC felt compelled to hold onto the bonds until the Court had disposed of plaintiff's claims for specific performance." Id. (emphasis added). The court in this passage, however, merely assumes its conclusion. What eludes the district court is any evidence indicating that it was the suit for specific performance that caused retention of the bond. In effect, what the district court stated is that the decision of HACC to depart from Kern's original plan supports HACC's decision to depart from Kern's original plan — a statement without significance.

Moreover, even taking HACC's view of the timing of the relevant events, there was an unjustified gap of over one month between the time HACC terminated Linan-Faye and the time Linan-Faye served its complaint seeking specific performance. According to HACC, after it issued its September 25, 1990 letter of termination, Linan-Faye sought reversal of HACC's decision to terminate. HACC states that it sent a letter to Linan-Faye on October 23, 1990 confirming its decision to terminate. Linan-Faye did not serve its complaint for specific performance until early in December of 1990, however, and the bond had not yet been returned. This unexcused delay strengthens Linan-Faye's argument that HACC did not decide to hold onto the performance bond as the result of the specific performance suit. In light of these facts, we will reverse the district court's grant of summary judgment for HACC and remand for trial on this disputed issue.

D. Whether Linan-Faye "Refused" to Begin Work

Linan-Faye asserts that the district court improperly found it "refused" to begin work. According to Linan-Faye, it did not refuse to begin work, but merely wanted to agree on any changes that HACC desired before it began construction. Linan-Faye contends that there is no basis in the record for the district court's finding that it flatly refused to begin work.

We find that the question of whether Linan-Faye flatly refused to begin work is immaterial to this case. Whether Linan-Faye actually "refused" to begin work would be relevant if it was necessary to decide if Linan-Faye defaulted on its obligations. The district court, however, based its holding on the doctrine of constructive termination for convenience. Linan-Faye Construction Co., 847 F. Supp. at 1203. The constructive termination for convenience doctrine makes the original reason for termination relevant only to the extent that it evidences the government's bad faith or a change in circumstances from the time of contracting. The issue of whether there was an actual default by Linan-Faye in refusing to begin work is immaterial. In this case the default termination is converted into a termination for convenience of the government by operation of law. Since we agree with the district court that it was appropriate to apply the constructive termination for convenience doctrine, we hold that this issue is immaterial.

E. Whether Linan-Faye Misunderstood the Specifications

Linan-Faye argues that the district court improperly concluded that it misunderstood the contract specifications because the court indicated in a footnote that "[a]t the very least, plaintiff misinterpreted the architect's specifications" for the project. Linan-Faye Construction Co., 847 F. Supp. at 1203 n. 13. According to Linan-Faye, it was HACC who "misinterpreted" the contract specifications. The dispute over proper interpretation of the contract specifications, argues Linan-Faye, prevented the court from resolving this issue at the summary judgment stage.

Linan-Faye's argument misinterprets the district court's reasoning. The relevant statement the court made in this footnote is merely that there was discord between the parties over interpreting their agreement. The district court mentioned the discord to support its conclusion concerning the constructive termination for convenience doctrine. whether Linan-Faye actually misunderstood the specifications, or whether it was HACC's misunderstanding, is irrelevant where there is a termination for convenience. As the district court held, the constructive termination for convenience doctrine operates to allow the government to extricate itself from contractual relationships without arguing as to which party was in default. Id. at 1203. Accordingly, the issue of who misunderstood the contract specifications is not material, and played no part in the order granting summary judgment.

F. Whether HUD Approval was Necessary for Termination

Linan-Faye suggests that whether HUD approved a termination for convenience is a disputed issue that precludes summary judgment. It concedes that HACC obtained HUD's general approval to terminate the contract, but argues that HUD never approved a termination for convenience. Linan-Faye contends that HUD approval of a termination for convenience was a condition precedent to invoking that clause, and failure to obtain such approval precludes summary judgment. Linan-Faye does not succeed in raising a disputed material issue on this point.

For the purposes of deciding this case, the district court did not assume that HACC originally terminated for convenience. While there is a dispute as to whether the original letter of termination constituted a default termination or a termination for convenience, HACC prevails under the district court's reasoning without having to prove that it obtained HUD approval of a termination for convenience. The court proceeded on a constructive termination for convenience theory. Linan-Faye does not dispute that HUD had approved HACC's right to terminate generally. Thus, concerning the original termination, HACC fulfilled its obligations by informing HUD, and obtaining from HUD a general approval for the termination of the contract. Because HACC received general HUD approval to terminate, there is not bar to this court's using the constructive termination for convenience doctrine to convert this into a termination for convenience by operation of law. Further, and most importantly, there is simply no dispute as to the material facts of what approval HACC obtained. Indeed, both parties concede that HACC obtained HUD approval to terminate generally, but did not obtain specific HUD approval of a termination for convenience. Therefore, this cannot be a disputed factual issue as Linan-Faye erroneously contends.

Accordingly, we will reverse the district court's grant of summary judgment and remand for trial on the issues of: (1) the definition of "work performed" under paragraph 17 of the contract; (2) the pre-termination expenses incurred by Linan-Faye that are compensable as "work performed" under the termination for convenience clause; and (3) HACC's possible liability for damages resulting from its retaining Linan-Faye's bond after termination.

VII. SECTION 1983

Linan-Faye next asserts that the district court erred in granting summary judgment against it on its claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Linan-Faye argues it has a protectible property interest in its contract with HACC that is entitled to Fourteenth and Fifth Amendment protection. Further, Linan-Faye contends that HACC's retention of its performance bond implicates a liberty interest entitled to constitutional protection. In granting summary judgment, the district court held that whatever property interest Linan-Faye may have had, it does not rise to a sufficient level of certainty or dependency to merit constitutional protection. Linan-Faye Construction Co. v. Housing Authority of Camden, 797 F. Supp. 376, 380 (D.N.J. 1992).

We agree with the district court's resolution of this matter. This Court recently surveyed the law concerning Fourteenth Amendment claims based on contracts with state entities. Unger v. National Residents Matching Program, 928 F.2d 1392 (3d Cir. 1991). We stated in Unger that it is beyond dispute today that a contract with a state entity can give rise to a property right protected under the Fourteenth Amendment. Id. at 1397 (citing Perry v. Sindermann, 408 U.S. 593, 599-601, 92 S.Ct. 2694, 2698-2700, 33 L.Ed.2d 570 (1972)). Nevertheless, we stated that the Supreme Court has never held that every state contract gives rise to such a protectible property interest. Id.

As we explained in Unger, relevant Supreme Court cases and cases from other courts of appeals instruct that two general types of contract rights are recognized as property protected under the Fourteenth Amendment: (1) where "the contract confers a protected status, such as those `characterized by a quality of either extreme dependence in the case of welfare benefits, or permanence in the case of tenure, or sometimes both, as frequently occurs in the case of social security benefits'"; or (2) where "the contract itself includes a provision that the state entity can terminate the contract only for cause." Id. 928 F.2d at 1399 (citing S D Maintenance Co. v. Goldin, 844 F.2d 962, 966-67 (2d Cir. 1988)). In Unger, a physician licensed to practice medicine in Pennsylvania was admitted into Temple University Hospital's dermatology residency program through the National Resident Matching Program. Id., 928 F.2d at 1393. Shortly before Unger was to begin the program, she received a letter stating that the University had decided to discontinue the program. Id. Unger filed suit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Id.

Declaring that the contract in Unger did not fall into either of the two protected categories, we dismissed Unger's § 1983 claim. Id. at 1402. We relied in part on the reasoning of our previous decision in Reich v. Beharry, 883 F.2d 239 (3d Cir. 1989), where we stated:

Many . . . courts have observed that if every breach of contract by someone acting under color of state law constituted a deprivation of property for procedural due process purposes, the federal courts would be called upon to pass judgment on the procedural fairness of the processing of a myriad of contract claims against public entities. We agree that such a wholesale federalization of state public contract law seems far afield from the great purposes of the due process clause.

Reich, 883 F.2d at 242 (citations omitted).

Linan-Faye's contract with HACC does not fall into either of the two categories we delineated in Unger. The contract does not confer a protected status on the plaintiff and the state entity could terminate the contract for reasons other than for cause. Indeed, it could be terminated for convenience. To grant Linan-Faye a remedy under § 1983 would create the wholesale federalization of state public contract law that concerned us in Unger and Reich. Accordingly, the district court did not err in granting summary judgment for HACC on Linan-Faye's claim.

Turning to Linan-Faye's assertion that it has been deprived of a constitutionally protected liberty interest, we also find that the district court did not err in granting summary judgment for HACC. The Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit addressed a case factually similar to the one at hand in S D Maintenance Co. v. Goldin, 844 F.2d 962 (2d Cir. 1988). In that case, a contractor brought a § 1983 claim against the City of New York, claiming that the City's withholding of payments under a contract to maintain parking meters resulted in the contractor being left with insufficient capital to pursue other work. Id. at 963, 970. The court held that although the consequential damages of an alleged breach may be severe, this fact alone cannot convert a contract claim into a deprivation of liberty. Id. at 970. We agree with the reasoning of the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and conclude that Linan-Faye fails to establish a claim of constitutional magnitude. We will affirm the district court's grant of summary judgment to HACC on Linan-Faye's § 1983 claim.

VIII. ESTOPPEL CLAIMS

Linan-Faye's final contention is that HACC is precluded from refusing to pay compensation by reason of principles of equitable and judicial estoppel. Linan-Faye argues that HACC could have terminated for convenience in 1988 but that it did not, and it breached a duty of fairness by waiting two years before deciding to terminate. Linan-Faye relies on a single case, M. O. Disposal Co. v. Township of Middletown, 100 N.J. Super. 558, 242 A.2d 841 (A.D. 1967), aff'd, 52 N.J. 6, 242 A.2d 841 (1968), to support its equitable estoppel argument. Additionally, Linan-Faye argues that because HACC asserted in prior judicial proceedings that there would be a "defined measure of damages" under the termination for convenience clause, HACC is now judicially estopped from arguing that it owes Linan-Faye nothing.

We find Linan-Faye's equitable estoppel claim unpersuasive. HACC could have terminated for convenience in 1988, but it also could have pursued completion of the contract according to its terms. HACC's decision to terminate after an inability to agree to such terms does not breach a duty of fairness. Indeed, this termination was within HACC's rights under the contract and, as explained above, the constructive termination for convenience doctrine allows HACC to convert its original termination into a termination for convenience.

Moreover, Linan-Faye's reliance on M. O. Disposal is misplaced. That case involved the question of whether a municipality impliedly ratified a contract for extra work which was outside the scope of contract to dispose of garbage. Id., 100 N.J.Super. at 560, 567, 242 A.2d at 841, 846. In that case, the New Jersey court merely stated the general precept that equitable principles of estoppel will be applied against municipalities where the interests of justice, morality, or common fairness clearly dictate this course. Id. at 567, 242 A.2d at 846. Beyond the obvious fact that the timing problem presented here has almost nothing to do with the ratification issue presented in M. O. Disposal, Linan-Faye has failed to demonstrate how HACC's exercise of its rights under this contract violates principles of justice, morality, or common fairness. Thus, we find Linan-Faye's equitable estoppel argument unconvincing.

Linan-Faye's argument for judicial estoppel is also unpersuasive. Judicial estoppel precludes a party from assuming a position in a legal proceeding inconsistent with one previously asserted to the prejudice of an adverse party. Brown v. Allied Plumbing Heating Co., 129 N.J.L. 442, 446, 30 A.2d 290, 292 (Sup.Ct.), aff'd 130 N.J.L. 487, 33 A.2d 813 (E. A. 1943); Chattin v. Cape May Greene, Inc., 243 N.J. Super. 590, 620, 581 A.2d 91, 107 (A.D. 1990) (citations omitted), aff'd, 124 N.J. 520, 591 A.2d 943 (1991). There is no inconsistency in taking the position that HACC took in prior proceedings. HACC merely argued that the termination for convenience clause provided the defined measure of damages. After the district court decided the difficult question of whether the termination for convenience clause defines the measure of damages, it was not only appropriate, but necessary, for HACC to address the question of what the measure of damages is under that clause. At this later stage, HACC may contend that this clause provides no compensation for Linan-Faye in this instance. The attempt by Linan-Faye to describe a contradiction in HACC's legal position has no force under the facts presented in this case.

IX. CONCLUSION

In sum, we find that the district court erred in its decision to apply federal common law and not the law of New Jersey to resolve this dispute. Applying New Jersey law, we will reverse the district court's grant of summary judgment and remand for trial on the issues of material fact that are in dispute. The three issues that remain in dispute in this case are the definition of "work performed" under paragraph 17 of the contract, whether and to what extent Linan-Faye incurred preparatory expenses prior to termination that are compensable as "work performed" under paragraph 17, and HACC's possible liability for damages resulting from its withholding of Linan-Faye's performance bond after termination. Finally, we will affirm the district court's grant of summary judgment in favor of HACC on Linan-Faye's § 1983 claim.

COWEN, Circuit Judge.

SUR PETITION FOR REHEARING

March 13, 1995