Garcia Ex Rel. Est. of Garcia v. United States Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170 (10th Cir. 2008). · Go Syfert
Garcia Ex Rel. Est. of Garcia v. United States Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170 (10th Cir. 2008). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
143 citation events (143 in the last 25 years) across 13 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Dimas v. Perez (nmd, 2025-09-03)
Treatment trajectory · 2008 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
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Top citers, strongest first. 50 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Dimas v. Perez
D.N.M. · 2025 · signal: see also · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the ftca waives sovereign immunity for actions against the united states resulting from injuries caused by the negligent acts of government employees while acting in the scope of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Unnamed Mother v. United States (2×) also: Cited "see"
D.N.M. · 2025 · signal: see also · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the ftca waives sovereign immunity for actions against the united states resulting from injuries caused by the negligent acts of government employees while acting in the scope of their employment.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Bailey v. Airgas-Intermountain, Inc. (2×) also: Cited "see"
Colo. Ct. App. · 2010 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
rule 56(f) does not compel the court to grant a continuance to a party that has been dilatory in conducting discovery.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) RoadsideImports LLC, and Johan Lumsden v. United States
D. Colo. · 2026 · confidence medium
When “the jurisdictional question is intertwined with the merits of the case, the [motion to dismiss] should be construed as a motion for summary judgment, not a Rule 12(b)(1) motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.” Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1176 (10th Cir. 2008). “[I]f subject matter jurisdiction is dependent on the same statute which provides the substantive claim in the case,” courts consider the jurisdictional question and merits of the case to be intertwined.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Brittany Mathis v. Standard Fire Insurance Company
W.D. Okla. · 2026 · confidence medium
“A party may not invoke Rule 56[d] ‘by simply stating that discovery is incomplete but must state with specificity how the additional material will rebut the summary judgment motion.’” Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1179 (10th Cir. 2008) (quoting Libertarian Party of N.M. v. Herrera, 506 F.3d 1303, 1308 (10th Cir. 2007)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In re Flint Water Cases; MEEKS et al., v. UNITED STATES
E.D. Mich. · 2026 · confidence medium
See, e.g., Pringle v. United States, 208 F.3d 1220, 1223 (10th Cir. 2000) (“We have stated, in a number of cases involving the discretionary function exception to the FTCA, that ‘the determination of whether the FTCA excepts the government's actions from its waiver of sovereign immunity involves both jurisdictional and merits issues.’”) (quoting Bell v. United States, 127 F.3d 1226, 1228 (10th Cir. 1997)); Garcia v. United States Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1176 (10th Cir. 2008) (explicitly acknowledging that “the question of negligence” is irrelevant to the discretionary function an…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Arnoldo Carrillo v. United States of America
D.N.M. · 2025 · confidence medium
Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1176 (10th Cir. 2008) (“[I]f a plaintiff can establish that either element is not met, the plaintiff may proceed because the exception does not apply.” (citing Sydnes v. United States, 523 F.3d 1179, 1183 (10th Cir. 2008))).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Talley, Jr. v. Raymond G. Murphy Veterans Affairs Medical Center
D.N.M. · 2025 · confidence medium
Neither type of attack need be converted to a motion for summary judgment, though, unless “the jurisdictional question is intertwined with the merits of the case.” Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1176 (10th Cir. 2008).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Cotto v. United States
D. Colo. · 2025 · signal: cf. · confidence medium
Cf. Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1178 (10th Cir. 2008) (rejecting the plaintiffs’ reading of a policy as mandatory when the language of the written policy did not mandate compliance with any specific procedure).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Jones v. United States (2×) also: Cited "see, e.g."
D. Colo. · 2025 · confidence medium
See Response [#21] at 11 (arguing that the discretionary function exception is an affirmative defense, citing Whisnant v. United States, 400 F.3d 1177, 1181 (9th Cir. 2005)); but see Knezovich v. United States, 82 F.4th 931 , 942 (10th Cir. 2023) (noting presumption that a government agency’s acts are grounded in policy absent a mandatory statute, regulation, or policy, and articulating the plaintiff’s burden); Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1175 (10th Cir. 2008) (stating that the discretionary function exception creates a jurisdictional prerequisite to suit and plaintiffs bear t…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Johnson v. United States
D. Utah · 2024 · confidence medium
First, the court determines whether the conduct at issue “was ‘discretionary’, meaning whether it was ‘a matter of judgment or choice for the acting employee.’” Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1176 (10th Cir. 2008) (quoting Berkovitz, 486 U.S. at 536 ).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Salas-Reyes v. Corvel Enterprise Comp
D. Utah · 2024 · confidence medium
Here, however, Mr. Salas-Reyes did little more than “simply stat[e] that discovery is incomplete.” Id.; Garcia v. United States Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1179 (10th Cir. 2008).2 The moving Defendants’ motion turns almost entirely on matters of law.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Shanley v. Hutchings
D. Utah · 2023 · confidence medium
ANSWER: Defendant . . . responds that to the best of her understanding of what the interrogatory is requesting, and subject to updates as discovery is ongoing, her answer is: First-hand witness of the plaintiff being involved in and or committing criminal acts against young boys and men and description by a victim of being called her son and raped.”). 62 See ECF No. 40. 63 White Aff. ¶¶ 7–8. 64 Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1180 (10th Cir. 2008) (quoting Bolden v. City of Topeka, 441 F.3d 1129, 1151 (10th Cir. 2006)). 65 White Aff. ¶ 6. 66 ECF No. 45. 67 ECF No. 32.
examined Cited as authority (rule) Susinka v. United States (3×) also: Cited "see"
D. Colo. · 2023 · confidence medium
Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1175-76 (10th Cir. 2008).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Brooks v. DeJoy
N.D. Okla. · 2022 · confidence medium
“A party may not invoke Rule 56[d] ‘by simply stating that discovery is incomplete but must state with specificity how the additional material will rebut the summary judgment motion.’” Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1179 (10th Cir. 2008) (quoting Libertarian Party of N.M. v. Herrera, 506 F.3d 1303, 1308 (10th Cir. 2007)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Babakr v. Goerdel (2×)
D. Kan. · 2022 · confidence medium
A plaintiff cannot defer a motion for summary judgment “simply [by] stating that discovery is incomplete.” Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1179 (10th Cir. 2008). 56(d) is “designed to safeguard against a premature or improvident grant of summary judgment.” Pasternak v. Lear Petroleum Expl., Inc., 790 F.2d 828 , 833 (10th Cir. 1986). 56(d) provides, “[i]f a nonmovant shows by affidavit or declaration that, for specified reasons, it cannot present facts essential to justify its opposition, the court may: (1) defer considering the motion or deny it; (2) allow time to obtain aff…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Martin v. United States (2×) also: Cited "see"
D. Colo. · 2022 · confidence medium
However, when “the jurisdictional question is intertwined with the merits of the case, the [motion to dismiss] should be construed as a motion for summary judgment, not a Rule 12(b)(1) motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.” Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1176 (10th Cir. 2008).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State of New Mexico v. United States Environmental Protection Agency
D.N.M. · 2022 · confidence medium
Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1176 (10th Cir. 2008). “[A] government agent’s discretionary actions are [presumed to be] grounded in policy, and it is up to the challenger to allege facts showing that the actions were actually not policy-oriented.” Hardscrabble Ranch, L.L.C. v. United States, 840 F.3d 1216, 1222 (10th Cir. 2016) (citing United States v. Gaubert, 499 U.S. 315 (1991).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Spotts v. Carter
D. Colo. · 2022 · confidence medium
A plaintiff cannot defer a motion for summary judgment “simply [by] stating that discovery is incomplete.” Abdulhaseeb v. Calbone, 600 F.3d 1301, 1310 (10th Cir. 2010) (quoting Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1179 (10th Cir. 2008)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Halik v. Brown
D. Colo. · 2022 · confidence medium
A plaintiff cannot defer a motion for summary judgment “simply [by] stating that discovery is incomplete.” Abdulhaseeb v. Calbone, 600 F.3d 1301, 1310 (10th Cir. 2010) (quoting Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1179 (10th Cir. 2008)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Taylor v. United States
D.N.M. · 2021 · confidence medium
In other words, the Government has not waived sovereign immunity with respect to “claims based on the performance of a discretionary function or duty on the part of a federal agency or an employee of the Government.” Clark v. United States, 695 F. App’x 378, 382 (10th Cir. 2007) (unpublished) (quoting Garcia v. United States Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1175 (10th Cir. 2008)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Brooks v. DeJoy
N.D. Okla. · 2021 · confidence medium
“A party may not invoke Rule 56[d] “by simply stating that discovery is incomplete but must state with specificity how the additional material will rebut the summary judgment motion.’” Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1179 (10th Cir. 2008) (quoting Libertarian Party of N.M. v. Herrera, 506 F.3d 1303, 1308 (10th Cir. 2007)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Blake, Jr. v. United States
D. Colo. · 2021 · confidence medium
Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1176 (10th Cir. 2008) (quoting Berkovitz v. United States, 486 U.S. 531, 535 (1988).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Odyssey International, Inc.
A.S.B.C.A. · 2021 · confidence medium
P. 56(d), the opposing party must do more than simply argue that discovery is incomplete, “but must explain specifically how additional discovery will allow the party to rebut the summary judgment motion.” Chugach, 19-1 BCA ¶ 37,314 at 181,496 (citing Garcia v. United States Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1179-80 (10th Cir. 2008); Serdarevic v. Advanced Medical Optics, Inc., 532 F.3d 1352, 1363-64 (Fed.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Blackburn v. United States
10th Cir. · 2021 · confidence medium
Corp. v. United States, 180 F.3d 1124 , 1129–30 (10th Cir. 1999); Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1176 (10th Cir. 2008).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Ohlsen v. United States
10th Cir. · 2021 · confidence medium
“This ‘discretionary function exception poses a jurisdictional prerequisite to suit, which the plaintiff must ultimately meet as part of his overall burden to establish subject matter jurisdiction.’” Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1175 (10th Cir. 2008) (citation omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Kamaludin Slyman CSC
A.S.B.C.A. · 2021 · confidence medium
P. 56(d), the opposing party must do more than simply argue that discovery is incomplete, “but must disappointed, are not at all extraordinary in contracting, as many contractors can (perhaps ruefully) attest. 20 explain specifically how additional discovery will allow the party to rebut the summary judgment motion.” 19-1 BCA ¶ 37,314 at 181,496 (citing Garcia v. United States Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1179-80 (10th Cir. 2008); Serdarevic v. Advanced Med.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Lima-Marin v. USA
D. Colo. · 2021 · confidence medium
The Government argues that “Plaintiff cannot show ICE’s challenged conduct could not require ‘the exercise of judgment based on considerations of public policy.’” (ECF No. 69 at 7 (quoting Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1176 (10th Cir. 2008)).) In response, Plaintiff argues that “[t]here exists no public policy that would allow for the provision of inadequate medical care when the Constitution requires adequate medical care.” (ECF No. 79 at 11.) Although Plaintiff attempts to recast the inquiry as a decision about whether to allow inadequate medical care, the Court find…
cited Cited as authority (rule) Estate of Eira Saenz v. Bitterman
D. Colo. · 2020 · confidence medium
Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170,1179 (10th Cir. 2008).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Martinez v. United States
10th Cir. · 2020 · confidence medium
BACKGROUND In determining whether the United States retains sovereign immunity under the discretionary function exception, we “consider[] the allegations in the complaint as well as the evidence in the record.” Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1175 (10th Cir. 2008).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Wexler v. United States
D. Colo. · 2019 · confidence medium
First, a court must determine whether the act was discretionary, that is, whether the act was “a matter of choice” or “judgment” for the acting employee.” Sydnes v. United States, 523 F.3d 1179, 1183 (10th Cir. 2008) (quotations omitted); Garling, 849 F.3d at 1295 (citing Garcia v. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1176 (10th Cir. 2008)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Wexler v. United States
D. Colo. · 2019 · confidence medium
First, a court must determine whether the act was discretionary, that is, whether the act was “a matter of choice” or “judgment” for the acting employee.” Sydnes v. United States, 523 F.3d 1179, 1183 (10th Cir. 2008) (quotations omitted); Garling, 849 F.3d at 1295 (citing Garcia v. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1176 (10th Cir. 2008)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Montano v. Corizon, LLC
D.N.M. · 2019 · confidence medium
To do so, plaintiffs must “identify| | the probable facts not available.” Jd. (quoting Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1179 (10th Cir. 2008)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) JGE v. United States
10th Cir. · 2019 · confidence medium
The “discretionary function exception poses a jurisdictional prerequisite to suit, which the plaintiff must ultimately meet as part of his overall burden to establish subject matter jurisdiction.” Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1175 (10th Cir. 2008) (internal quotation marks omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Milam v. Pafford EMS (2×) also: Cited "see"
10th Cir. · 2018 · confidence medium
To the extent Milam’s supplemental response to Pafford’s motion can be read as an attempt to invoke Rule 56(d), we conclude it was properly rejected because Milam did not file the required affidavit “explain[ing] why facts precluding summary judgment cannot be presented,” including “the probable facts not available and what steps have been taken to obtain these facts.” Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1179 (10th Cir. 2008) (internal quotation marks omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Clark v. United States (2×) also: Cited "see, e.g."
10th Cir. · 2017 · confidence medium
“Excluded from this waiver of immunity are claims based on the performance of ‘a discretionary function or duty on the part of a federal agency or an employee of the Government.’” Garcia v. United States Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1175 (10th Cir. 2008) (quoting 28 U.S.C. § 2680 (a)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Helfrich v. Blue Cross & Blue Shield Assoc (2×) also: Cited "see, e.g."
10th Cir. · 2015 · confidence medium
Contrary to the assertion by the concurrence, the decision by OPM to include the subrogation provision in the Plan is the type of policy decision that is protected by the discretionary-function exception to liability under the FTCA. .See, e.g., Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1175-76 (10th Cir.2008). .
cited Cited as authority (rule) Stonebarger v. Union Pacific Railroad
D. Kan. · 2015 · confidence medium
Garcia v. United States Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1179 (10th Cir.2008) (quotation omitted). .
examined Cited as authority (rule) Nelson v. United States (3×) also: Cited "see"
D. Colo. · 2014 · confidence medium
Thus, the FTCA “waives sovereign immunity for actions against the United States resulting from injuries caused by the negligent acts of governmental employees while acting in the scope of their employment.” Garcia v. United States Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1175 (10th Cir.2008) (citing 28 U.S.C. § 1346 (b)(1)). 2.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Shepherd v. Holder
10th Cir. · 2012 · confidence medium
Analogizing to the standards governing requests for additional discovery to forestall imminent summary judgment, see generally Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1179-80 (10th Cir.2008); Ben Ezra, Weinstein, & Co. v. Am.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Strich v. United States
D. Colo. · 2011 · confidence medium
Garcia v. United States Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1175 (10th Cir.2008); Smith v. Krieger, 643 F.Supp.2d 1274, 1281 (D.Colo.2009).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Breakthrough Management Group, Inc. v. Chukchansi Gold Casino & Resort
10th Cir. · 2010 · signal: cf. · confidence medium
See Freeman, 556 F.3d at 342 (“The party seeking discovery typically ... alleg[es] the ‘specific facts crucial to immunity which demonstrate[ ] a need for discovery.’ ” (second alteration in original) (quoting Kelly v. Syria Shell Petroleum Co. B.V., 213 F.3d 841, 852 (5th Cir.2000))); Boschetto, 539 F.3d at 1020 (holding that the district court’s denial of a request for jurisdictional discovery was not an abuse of discretion where the request “was based on little more than a hunch that it might yield jurisdictionally relevant facts”); cf. Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170,…
examined Cited as authority (rule) Garcia v. United States (3×) also: Cited "see"
D.N.M. · 2010 · confidence medium
In this event, the employee has no rightful option but to adhere to the directive.’ ” Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1176 (10th Cir.2008) (quoting Berkovitz v. United States, 486 U.S. at 536 , 108 S.Ct. 1954 ).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Child a Ex Rel. Gaither v. Allstate Insurance (2×) also: Cited "see, e.g."
10th Cir. · 2009 · confidence medium
Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1179 (10th Cir.2008). “ ‘A party seeking to defer a ruling on summary judgment under Rule 56(f) must file an affidavit that explains why facts precluding summary judgment cannot be presented.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Allstate Insurance Company v. Covalt
10th Cir. · 2009 · confidence medium
“We review the district court’s denial of a Rule 56(f) request for an abuse of discretion.” Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1179 (10th Cir.2008).
cited Cited "see" Guardado v. City and County of Denver
10th Cir. · 2025 · signal: see · confidence high
See Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1176 (10th Cir. 2008).
discussed Cited "see" Imus v. Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association, The (2×) also: Cited "see, e.g."
D. Colo. · 2023 · signal: see · confidence high
See Garcia, 533 F.3d at 1176 .
cited Cited "see" DeWalt v. United States
10th Cir. · 2022 · signal: see · confidence high
See Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170 , 1175–76 (10th Cir. 2008).
cited Cited "see" Ramirez v. Reddish
D. Utah · 2020 · signal: see · confidence high
See Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1175 (10th Cir. 2008).
cited Cited "see" Awad v. United States
10th Cir. · 2020 · signal: see · confidence high
See Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170, 1174, 1175 (10th Cir. 2008).
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
Dennis Dionicio GARCIA as Personal Representative of the Estate of Marcelino Garcia, Deceased; Inez Maria Garcia, Individually and Jointly as Parents and Next Friends of Deja Bonet Garcia and Nicolas Dionicio Garcia, Minors, Plaintiffs-Appellants,
v.
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE; James G. Roche, Secretary of the United States Air Force; Chenenga Management, LLC; Northeast Construction Company of Nevada; John Doe, Contractor, Defendants, and United States of America, Defendant-Appellee
07-2106.
Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.
Jul 15, 2008.
533 F.3d 1170
2008 U.S. App. LEXIS 14981
2008 WL 2736661
Jennifer Rozzoni (A. Brent Bailey of Dixon, Scholl & Bailey, P.A., on the briefs), Albuquerque, NM, for Plaintiffs-Appellants., Adam M. Dinnell, Trial Attorney, Civil Division, Torts Branch, Environmental Torts Section, U.S. Department of Justice (and Gay E. Kang; Peter D. Keisler, Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division; J. Patrick Glynn, Director, Torts Branch; Joann J. Bordeaux, Deputy Director; David S. Fishback, Assistant Director; on the brief) Washington, D.C., for Defendant-Appellee.
Kelly, Lucero, Hartz.
Cited by 82 opinions  |  Published

Lead Opinion

PAUL KELLY, JR., Circuit Judge.

Plaintiffs (the “Garcias”) brought this action under the Federal Tort Claims Act (“FTCA”), 28 U.S.C. §§ 1346(b), 2671, 2674, for personal injuries and damages sustained from exposure to toxic mold in their on-base housing unit at Holloman Air Force Base (“HAFB”) in New Mexico. They allege that the mold resulted from water that penetrated their home through a leak in their roof, and that the government was negligent in failing to identify the leak in time to prevent the mold from developing. Finding that the government’s actions fell within the discretionary function exception to the FTCA, 28 U.S.C. § 2680(a), the district court granted summary judgment for the government. The court also denied the Garcias’ Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(f) request for a continuance to conduct further discovery as well as their Fed. R.Civ.P. 60(b) motion for relief from judgment, which was based upon evidence obtained from the private contractor that installed their roof. We exercise jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and affirm.

Background

Between February 16, 1996 and August 23, 2002, the Garcias lived in an on-base housing unit at HAFB located at 2553A Valencia Loop (“Unit 2553A”). Prior to the Garcias taking possession of Unit 2553A, the government contracted with Northeast Construction Company (“Northeast”) to renovate 113 on-base family housing units at HAFB, including Unit 2553A. The renovation involved converting the roof of Unit 2553A from a “low-slope” roof (slope or pitch of less than 250 millimeters per meter) to a “pitch” roof (slope or pitch of 250 millimeters per meter or more). The government recommended this type of “slope conversion” because pitch roofs typically last longer and require less maintenance than low-slope roofs. The renovation of Unit 2553A was completed prior to the Garcias taking possession of it.

[*1174] On February 6, 1996, Dennis Garcia completed an inspection form for Unit 2553A. The form noted some minor cosmetic defects, but did not indicate any mold or water leaks. Ten days later, the Garcias moved into Unit 2553A. Between February 1996 and April 2001, the 49th Civil Engineering Squadron at HAFB was responsible for the maintenance and management of Unit 2553A, but the Garcias did not report any maintenance problems during that time period.

In May 2001, Chenega Management, LLC (“Chenega”) became responsible for the maintenance and management of Unit 2553A. Subsequently, the Garcias experienced some maintenance problems with their unit, each of which was resolved by Chenega. For example, on September 6, 2001, the Garcias reported a water leak in the ceiling. Chenega fixed the problem on September 10. On October 15, they reported a spongy, discolored area on a wall. On November 26, Chenega repaired the wall. On November 30, the Garcias reported that sheetrock had fallen over the water heater. Chenega fixed that problem on December 3. On May 8, 2002, they reported mildew on a bedroom wall. Chenega re-grouted and re-caulked a shower to fix the problem. On May 24, the Garcias reported that the dishwasher was spraying water all over the kitchen. Chenega subsequently fixed the dishwasher.

It was not until the summer of 2002 that the Garcias first asked Chenega to evaluate the mold that they now claim caused their physical injuries. The government responded by housing the Garcias in a hotel from August 4 to August 19. On August 23, the Garcias moved out of Unit 2553A into off-base housing. That same day, SafeNet Environmental Services prepared a mold identification report for Chenega. The report stated that on August 12, SafeNet found visible fungal growth with varying degrees of spore concentrations depending on the location within Unit 2553A. On November 21, 2002, the Clayton Group prepared a mold assessment for the government. That assessment found that the air in Unit 2553A did not exceed Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards and did not indicate high levels of toxic mold. Neither SafeNet nor the Clayton Group definitively identified the cause of the mold.[1]

The Garcias subsequently filed administrative claims with the government, which were denied. The Garcias then filed this suit against the government pursuant to the FTCA. They also brought various state-law claims against Northeast and Chenega. Arguing that the discretionary function exception bars the Garcias’ suit, the government moved to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, or in the alternative, for summary judgment. The government included two sworn declarations concerning the lack of any mandatory residential roof inspection policies. In addition to responding to the merits of the government’s motion, the Garcias requested a Rule 56(f) continuance to conduct further discovery. The district court denied the Rule 56(f) request, construed the government’s motion as a motion for summary judgment because jurisdictional issues were intertwined with the merits of the case, and granted summary judgment[*1175] to the government. See Aplt.App. at 312, 314, 321.

Following the court’s decision, the Garci-as obtained additional evidence regarding the applicability of the discretionary function exception from discovery with Northeast and, on the basis of that evidence, filed a Fed.R.Civ.P. 60(b) motion for relief from judgment. The district court construed the motion under Fed.R.Civ.P. 54(b) as the court had not yet entered final judgment, Aplee. Supp.App. at 37-38, and reaffirmed the applicability of the discretionary function exception notwithstanding the new evidence. Id. at 41-49.

The Garcias’ claims against Northeast and Chenega were subsequently dismissed with prejudice pursuant to settlement agreements, making the district court’s decisions ripe for appeal. See Jackson v. Volvo Trucks N. Am., Inc., 462 F.3d 1234, 1238 (10th Cir.2006).[2] On appeal, the Gar-cias make three arguments: (1) the grant of summary judgment was inappropriate because the government failed to follow mandatory Air Force policies governing the periodic inspection of their roof — in holding otherwise, the district court improperly weighed evidence; (2) the denial of their Rule 56(f) request was error; and (3) the denial of their motion for relief from judgment was error because new evidence showed that the government had voluntarily assumed a duty to inspect their roof. We address these arguments in turn.

Discussion

I.

A. Standard of Review

We review the district court’s determination of the applicability of the discretionary function exception de novo, considering the allegations in the complaint as well as the evidence in the record. Duke v. Dep’t of Agric., 131 F.3d 1407, 1409 (10th Cir.1997). As the district court granted summary judgment for the government, we determine only whether the discretionary function exception applies, a jurisdictional issue, and make no judgment on the merits of the case. Id. Viewing all evidence and drawing all reasonable inferences therefrom in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party, Fye v. Okla. Corp. Comm’n, 516 F.3d 1217, 1222-23 (10th Cir.2008), we determine that summary judgment is appropriate if “there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c).

B. Discretionary Function

The FTCA waives sovereign immunity for actions against the United States resulting from injuries caused by the negligent acts of governmental employees while acting in the scope of their employment. See 28 U.S.C. § 1346(b)(1). The United States can be held liable “in the same manner and to the same extent as a private individual under like circumstances.” Id. § 2674. Excluded from this waiver of immunity are claims based on the performance of “a discretionary function or duty on the part of a federal agency or an employee of the Government.” 28 U.S.C. § 2680(a). This “discretionary function exception poses a jurisdictional prerequisite to suit, which the plaintiff must ultimately meet as part of his overall burden to establish subject matter jurisdiction.” Aragon v. United States, 146 F.3d 819, 823 (10th Cir.1998) (quotations omitted). “If the discretionary function[*1176] exception applies to the challenged conduct, the United States retains its sovereign immunity and the district court lacks subject matter jurisdiction to hear the suit.” Domme v. United States, 61 F.3d 787, 789 (10th Cir.1995). When, as here, the jurisdictional question is intertwined with the merits of the case, the government’s motion should be construed as a motion for summary judgment, not a Rule 12(b)(1) motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. See Wheeler v. Hurdman, 825 F.2d 257, 259 (10th Cir.1987). The discretionary function exception applies “whether or not the discretion involved be abused.” 28 U.S.C. § 2680(a). Thus, the question of negligence is irrelevant. Aragon, 146 F.3d at 822.

The discretionary function exception is designed to protect policymaking by the executive and legislative branches of government from judicial “second-guessing.” United States v. S.A. Empresa de Viacao Aerea Rio Grandense (Varig Airlines), 467 U.S. 797, 814, 104 S.Ct. 2755, 81 L.Ed.2d 660 (1984). Thus, it “marks the boundary between Congress’ willingness to impose tort liability upon the United States and its desire to protect certain governmental activities from exposure to suit by private individuals.” Id. at 808, 104 S.Ct. 2755. Among those activities encompassed by the discretionary function exception are “the discretionary acts of the Government acting in its role as a regulator of the conduct of private individuals.” Id. at 813-14, 104 S.Ct. 2755. “The same holds true of other administrative action not of a regulatory nature, such as the expenditure of Federal funds, [or] the execution of a Federal project....” Id. at 810, 104 S.Ct. 2755 (quotation omitted).

To determine whether conduct falls within the discretionary function exception, we apply the two-part test set forth by the Supreme Court in Berkovitz v. United States, 486 U.S. 531, 536, 108 S.Ct. 1954, 100 L.Ed.2d 531 (1988). See Lopez v. United States, 376 F.3d 1055, 1057 (10th Cir.2004). First, we ascertain the precise governmental conduct at issue and consider whether that conduct was “discretionary,” meaning whether it was “a matter of judgment or choice for the acting employee.” Berkovitz, 486 U.S. at 536, 108 S.Ct. 1954. Conduct is not discretionary if “a federal statute, regulation, or policy specifically prescribes a course of action for an employee to follow. In this event, the employee has no rightful option but to adhere to the directive.” Id.

If the first element of the Berkovitz test is satisfied, we then consider the second element — whether the decision in question is one requiring the exercise of judgment based on considerations of public policy. Id. at 536-37, 108 S.Ct. 1954. In so doing, we do not consider the employee’s “subjective intent in exercising the discretion conferred by statute or regulation, but on the nature of the actions taken and on whether they are susceptible to policy analysis.” United States v. Gaubert, 499 U.S. 315, 325, 111 S.Ct. 1267, 113 L.Ed.2d 335 (1991).

If both the first and second elements of the Berkovitz test are met, the discretionary function exception to the waiver of sovereign immunity applies. Stated another way, if a plaintiff can establish that either element is not met, the plaintiff may proceed because the exception does not apply. Sydnes v. United States, 523 F.3d 1179, 1183 (10th Cir.2008).

C. Application

On appeal, the Garcias argue that the government’s conduct was not discretionary but do not assert any arguments with respect to the second prong of Berkovitz. Therefore, we address only whether the challenged government conduct at issue here was discretionary. See Fed. R.App.[*1177] P. 28(a)(9)(A); Adler v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 144 F.3d 664, 679 (10th Cir.1998) (explaining that arguments inadequately briefed are waived).

The Garcias argue that the government’s conduct was not discretionary because the government failed to follow specific, mandatory policies governing the periodic inspection of their roof, as set forth in “Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency Field Guide: Pitched Roofing Systems, Inspection, Evaluation, and Maintenance Criteria” (the “AFCESA Field Guide”), dated November 1996, and Air Force Instruction (“AFI”) 32-1051, dated May 13, 1994. They argue that the district court improperly weighed evidence in concluding otherwise. They also rely on AFI 33-360, dated January 30, 2004, in arguing that AFI’s require direct compliance at all levels of the Air Force. They claim that had the government adhered to these policies, it would have identified the leak in their roof and corrected the problem before mold could develop.[3] We have reviewed each of these documents and conclude that none of them prescribe a specific, mandatory course of conduct regarding the inspection of the Garcias’ roof.

The AFCESA Field Guide clearly states that it is only a “field guide” whose purpose “is to provide ready reference for establishing and conducting a roof management program for steep-sloped roofing systems.” ApltApp. at 468. In addition, the AFCESA Field Guide is silent with respect to when roof inspections are to occur.[4] Thus it does not prescribe a mandatory course of conduct that the government was required to follow with respect to the periodic inspection of the Garcias’ roof.

AFI 32-1051 does not apply to the type of roof on Unit 2553A. As described earlier, Northeast converted the roof on Unit 2553A from a low-slope roof to a pitch roof sometime prior to the Garcias taking possession. AFI 32-1051 sets forth guidance on Air Force management of low-slope roofs, not pitch roofs. Throughout AFI 32-1051, the instruction refers to manuals that pertain to the maintenance of “membrane” or “built up” roofs, see id. at 188, 190, 191, 194-97, which are types of low-slope roofs, see id. at 467. AFI 32-1051 only refers to pitch roofs in two places, neither of which specifically requires the Air Force to conduct periodic inspections of pitch roofs. Id. at 188-89. In fact, AFI 32-1051 expressly states in reference to pitch roofs that “[t]he user monitors these roofs, and roof maintenance personnel respond to complaints according to the warranty.” Id. at 188. Thus, AFI 32-1051 expressly provides that the Garcias were responsible for monitoring their roof, not the government.

The Garcias’ argument that the application of AFI 32-1051 is not limited to low-slope roofs is meritless. Essentially, they discuss certain AFI 32-1051 provisions out of context and ask us to infer that these provisions apply to their roof. For example, they rely on paragraph 11, which provides inspection procedures for “low-slope red category roofs” and “low-slope green category roofs” but “all yellow category roofs.” Id. at 193-94. The Garcias argue that “[t]here would be no need to single out ‘low-slope’ if AFI 32-1051 only applied[*1178] to low slope roofs” and thus it is reasonable to infer that AFI 32-1051 applies to all roofs. Aplt. Br. at 10. As an initial matter, the Garcias do not expressly state that their roof constitutes a “yellow category” roof or offer any evidence to support such a claim. Regardless, the Garcias ignore paragraph 6, which expressly provides that the red, yellow, and green condition categories pertain to low-slope roofs. See Aplt.App. at 190 (instructing roof engineers to make a “facility list of all base low-slope roofs, then divide[ ] the list into three condition categories: red; yellow; and green”). We therefore reject the Gar-cias’ reading of AFI 32-1051. Similarly, we reject their reliance on paragraph 8 for the proposition that Air Force roofing inspectors are required to “confirm leak tightness of newly constructed roofs,” implying that the Air Force was obligated to inspect their roof after it was renovated by Northeast. Aplt. Br. at 9. The provision on which the Garcias rely specifically refers to yellow category roofs and is thus inapplicable to the Garcias’ roof. See Aplt. App. at 191.

In addition, although AFI 32-1051 generally provides that compliance with it is required, it does not mandate compliance with any specific roof inspection procedures. Pursuant to AFI 33-360, AFI 32-1051 contains a banner stating “compliance with this publication is mandatory.” Id. at 188, 459. However, AFI 32-1051’s first sentence states that it merely “provides guidance for establishing and maintaining a roof management program.” Id. at 188. AFI 32-1051 simply does not contain specific, mandatory roof inspection directives. Cf. Aragon, 146 F.3d at 824 (finding general compliance with executive order mandatory but use of term “as practicable” was “prime example of discretionary language”; order alone did not provide specific, mandatory Air Force directives).

The Garcias argue that AFI 32-1051 requires Air Force roofing inspectors to “monitor the work of all roofing contractors on a daily basis and accept or reject a contractor’s roofing work on a daily basis,” again implying that the Air Force was obligated to inspect Northeast’s work during the renovation of the Garcias’ roof. Aplt. Br. at 9. However, AFI 32-1051 also states that “[t]he contractor is responsible for quality control” and “[t]he Air Force inspector’s job is to monitor the contractor’s quality control program. During the first few days, remain at the job for several hours each day to observe the contractor’s quality control program. After the contractor achieves a satisfactory level of confidence, you can reduce the time.” ApltApp. at 197 (emphasis added). Thus, AFI 32-1051 clearly delegates quality control to independent contractors and provides the Air Force with discretion in monitoring that quality control — these oversight provisions are not sufficiently specific to establish government liability. Cf. Elder v. United States, 312 F.3d 1172, 1177-78 (10th Cir.2002) (finding mandatory National Park Service safety guidelines not sufficiently specific to remove decision-making under them from discretionary function exception). The language alone compels such a conclusion, and we reject the argument that the district court weighed evidence in reaching this legal conclusion. Accordingly, the Garcias have not identified any specific directives that mandated the government to periodically inspect their roof and the district court was correct to grant summary judgment for the government.[5]

[*1179] II.

Concurrent with the Garcias’ response to the merits of the government’s motion to dismiss/motion for summary judgment, the Garcias’ counsel submitted a Rule 56(f) affidavit requesting a continuance to obtain additional discovery. The affidavit stated that

A. Plaintiffs have not had an opportunity to discover the Defendant’s safety and habitability policies for its [sic] on-base housing at [HAFB]; B. Plaintiffs have not had an opportunity to discover the reasons that Defendant has a policy for mold identification, surveillance, and remediation; and C. Plaintiffs cannot completely respond to Defendant’s claim that its [sic] conduct in this case was in all respects discretionary.

Id. at 159.

Rule 56(f) provides:

If a party opposing the motion shows by affidavit that, for specified reasons, it cannot present facts essential to justify its opposition, the court may:
(1) deny the motion; (2) order a continuance to enable affidavits to be obtained, depositions to be taken, or other discovery to be undertaken; or (3) issue any other just order.

Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(f) (2008).[6]

The district court denied the request, finding that the Garcias’ counsel did not specify what would be revealed by further discovery, nor did he explain how additional information would allow the Garcias to rebut the government’s evidence that there were no Air Force directives, instructions or standards that required the Air Force to inspect their roof for leaks or home for mold. The court further noted that discovery had been underway for six months at the time of the Rule 56(f) request and the Garcias had access to the policies the government provided in support of its motion. See Aplt.App. at 313-14.

We review the district court’s denial of a Rule 56(f) request for an abuse of discretion. Libertarian Party of N.M. v. Herrera, 506 F.3d 1303, 1308 (10th Cir.2007). “A party seeking to defer a ruling on summary judgment under Rule 56(f) must ‘file an affidavit that explainfs] why facts precluding summary judgment cannot be presented. This includes identifying the probable facts not available and what steps have been taken to obtain these facts.’ ” Id. (quoting Trask v. Franco, 446 F.3d 1036, 1042 (10th Cir.2006)) (alteration in original). A party may not invoke Rule 56(f) “by simply stating that discovery is incomplete but must ‘state with specificity how the additional material will rebut the summary judgment motion.’ ” Id. at 1308-09 (quoting Ben Ezra, Weinstein, & Co. v. Am. Online Inc., 206 F.3d 980, 987 (10th Cir.2000)).

The Garcias’ challenge to the district court’s decision essentially recites Rule 56(f) and summarizes the district court’s decision. They do not make any legal arguments or cite any authority to support their position. See Adler, 144 F.3d at 679. Regardless, the affidavit submitted by the Garcias’ counsel failed to[*1180] identify any specific facts which would create a genuine issue of material fact, let alone identify what steps had been taken to obtain such facts and a plan for the future. In addition, the Garcias already had six months to conduct discovery prior to their request and Rule 56(f) “does not compel the court to grant a continuance to a party that has been dilatory in conducting discovery.” Bolden v. City of Topeka, Kan., 441 F.3d 1129, 1151 (10th Cir.2006). Therefore, the district court did not abuse its discretion by denying the request.

III.

Following the district court’s grant of summary judgment for the government, the Garcias obtained additional evidence from discovery with Northeast that they claimed showed the government voluntarily assumed a duty to inspect their roof during Northeast’s renovation of Unit 2553A and warrant the roof installation. See Bell v. United States, 127 F.3d 1226, 1229 (10th Cir.1997) (explaining that government’s voluntarily assumed contractual obligations can impose nondiscretionary duties on government employees). On the basis of this evidence, the Garcias filed a Fed.R.Civ.P. 60(b) motion for relief from judgment, arguing that the discretionary function exception was inapplicable to their claim that the government was negligent in retaining and supervising Northeast. The district court construed the motion under Fed.R.Civ.P. 54(b) because final judgment had not yet been entered, and concluded that the newly discovered evidence did not support the Garcias’ claims and that the discretionary function exception still applied. See Aplee. Supp.App. at 43-49.

We review a district court’s Rule 54(b) reconsideration of its prior interlocutory decision de novo. See Raytheon Constructors Inc. v. ASARCO Inc., 368 F.3d 1214, 1217 (10th Cir.2003). The Garcias’ motion was based upon three documents obtained from Northeast: (1) Contract No. F29651-93-C-0012 between Northeast and the government regarding Phase I of Northeast’s upgrade of 113 housing units on HAFB (which included Unit 2553A) (the “Phase I Contract”); (2) Air Force specifications for the Phase I Contract (“Specifications”); and (3) a “Stipulation of Settlement and Agreement” between the government and Northeast entered into on December 15, 1995 (“Settlement Agreement”). See ApltApp. at 337-56. The Garcias also attached the affidavit of T.J. Hiehle, the former president of Northeast, to their responsive pleadings before the district court. Id. at 438-41.

We have reviewed this evidence and agree with the district court that nothing contained therein changes the conclusion that the discretionary function exception precludes the Garcias’ suit. According to the Garcias, the Phase I Contract and Specifications provided Northeast with “detailed plans, specifications and direction” regarding Northeast’s renovation of Unit 2553A, thereby eliminating any government discretion regarding the renovation. Aplt. Br. at 15. The Garcias claim that government inspectors, pursuant to the Phase I Contract and Specifications, were required to inspect the renovation to ensure that the roof installation was “weathertight” and provided adequate moisture protection. Id. We disagree.

The Phase I Contract merely provides that the “Base Civil Engineer or his authorized representative is designated as the representative of the Contracting Officer for the purpose of technical surveillance of workmanship and inspection of materials for work being performed under this contract.” Id. at 382. Neither this provision, nor any other in the Phase I Contract, prescribes specific inspection[*1181] procedures with respect to the Garcias’ roof.

The Garcias’ reliance on the Specifications is also without merit. The provisions quoted by the Garcias apply to Northeast, not the government. The Garcias have not pointed to any provision in the Specifications that mandates specific inspection procedures for the government.

Mr. Hiehle’s testimony does not help the Garcias’ case either. As an initial matter, Mr. Hiehle was an employee of Northeast, not the government, and we question whether the testimony of a private contractor is sufficient to show the discretionary function exception should not apply. Regardless, his testimony merely provides that the government “provided an inspector and project manager to oversee construction performed under the Phase I Contract,” and that government “inspections were performed to ensure that construction was performed in accordance with the [Specifications].” Id. at 439. Mr. Hiehle does not state that the government was required to perform specific inspection procedures or that it violated such an obligation.

The Garcias also argue that under the Settlement Agreement, the government agreed to warrant the renovation of Unit 2553A. Aplt. Br. at 15. This claim is belied by the Settlement Agreement itself. The Settlement Agreement, which resolved a dispute between Northeast and the government, provides that the government would perform all remaining work on housing units after December 15, 1995 at the government’s expense and that Northeast “will not be held responsible for any warranty work in any housing unit not accepted by the Government” by the same date. See ApltApp. at 340-41. The Gar-cias have not pointed to any evidence that the government warranted the renovation of Unit 2553A let alone any evidence that Unit 2553A was completed after December 15, 1995. The Settlement Agreement does not prescribe specific inspection procedures for the government with respect to the Garcias’ roof.

Thus, the instant case is readily distinguishable from Bell v. United States, on which Garcias primarily rely. In Bell, the government contracted with a state engineering commission to supervise compliance with safety specifications regarding the expansion of a reservoir. 127 F.3d at 1227. The contract specifically required the engineer to remove a pipeline to facilitate the excavation. Id. at 1227-28. However, during construction, the government’s supervisor allowed the contractor to leave the pipeline in place, in direct violation of the government’s specific contractual duty. Id. at 1228. The plaintiff later became injured when he dove into the reservoir and hit the submerged dirt embankment covering the pipeline. Id. at 1227. The Tenth Circuit held that the discretionary function exception was inapplicable because the contract did not provide the government supervisor with any discretion regarding the removal of the pipeline. Id. at 1230.

By contrast, the government in the instant case merely agreed to provide an inspector and project manager with unspecified duties. Nothing in the record shows that the government assumed, let alone breached, any specific contractual obligation that imposed specific inspection related duties.

The Garcias also rely on Ayala v. Joy Manufacturing Company, 877 F.2d 846 (10th Cir.1989), and Camozzi v. Roland/Miller & Hope Consulting Group, 866 F.2d 287 (9th Cir.1989), to support their position. However, each of these cases is inapposite. In both Ayala and Camozzi, the government retained responsibility for ensuring compliance with safety precautions, but directly violated or failed[*1182] to effectuate those policies altogether. Ayala, 877 F.2d at 848-49 (government inspector gave specific instructions that directly contradicted specific government safety regulations); Camozzi, 866 F.2d at 289-90 (government failed to conduct inspections pursuant to contracts). Here, the Garcias have failed to identify any specific, mandatory government inspection procedures, let alone show how the government failed to conduct them. To the contrary, they have supplied evidence that the government provided inspectors and that inspections were performed. Aplt. App. at 439. Nothing in the record shows that the inspectors lacked discretion in performing those inspections. Accordingly, the Garcias’ position is without record support and our conclusion that their suit is precluded by the discretionary function exception is unchanged.

AFFIRMED.

1

Nothing in the record shows when the leak in the Garcias' roof occurred or that the mold in the Garcias' home developed as a result of a leak in their roof. Neither SafeNet nor the Clayton Group definitively identified the cause of the mold — both organizations recommended that the source of the mold should be investigated. See Aplt.App. at 126; Aplee. Supp.App. at 52. However, the record is silent as to whether any such investigation ever took place.

2

Before Northeast and Chenega were dismissed from this litigation, the Garcias filed a premature notice of appeal (No. 05-2289) which was terminated by this Court on March 20, 2006. See Aplt.App. at 24.

3

Before the district court, the Garcias also claimed that the government failed to follow mandatory policies governing the testing of indoor air quality as well as the containment, eradication and remediation of mold. On appeal, they do not press these arguments and have thus waived them. See Fed. R.App. P. 28(a)(9)(A); Adler, 144 F.3d at 679.

4

The Garcias have only included selected pages of the AFCESA Field Guide in their appendix and therefore our analysis pertains to only those pages.

5

Judge Lucero suggests that if he were interpreting the discretionary function exception as a matter of first impression, he would interpret the FTCA as allowing mandatory duties to arise from state tort law, not just a federal statute, regulation, or policy. We note that the Tenth Circuit has recently rejected a similar argument. See Sydnes, 523 F.3d at 1184 (“Considering state tort law as a[*1179] limit on the federal government's discretion at the jurisdictional stage impermissibly conflates the merits of plaintiffs’ claims with the question whether the United States has conferred jurisdiction on the courts to hear those claims in the first place. Indeed, the only conceivable way plaintiffs might succeed on their theory is by pointing to a federal policy incorporating state tort law as a limit on the discretion of federal employees with[in] the meaning of the FTCA.”) (emphasis in original).

6

Rule 56(f) was restyled in 2007 and we use the current version as no substantive changes were made to the rule in 2007. See Advisory Committee Notes, 2007 Amendments.

Concurrence

LUCERO, J.

concurring.

I join the majority opinion of my respected colleagues, but write separately to express my disagreement with the consequences of our decision. As a result of our ruling, an airman has been denied the ability to sue his landlord for an alleged failure to provide habitable housing merely because his landlord is the federal government.

As I see it, the Air Force, like all other landlords, must provide habitable housing to its tenants in facilities such as those involved here in exercise of its basic common-law duties of care. Through the Federal Tort Claims Act (“FTCA”), the government has waived its sovereign immunity against tort suits arising out of the violation of such common-law duties. See 28 U.S.C. §§ 1346(b)(1) & 2674. Although the discretionary function exception limits the scope of this waiver, see § 2680(a), I would not, if interpreting the statute as a matter of first impression, read the exception so broadly as to obliterate the waiver’s purpose. That is, the FTCA allows all tort claims against the government to proceed unless the government official involved was acting in a classically governmental role — exercising limited discretion to choose among various options on the basis of an expressed public policy.

In my view, our FTCA caselaw has distorted the analysis under Berkovitz v. United States, 486 U.S. 531, 108 S.Ct. 1954, 100 L.Ed.2d 531 (1988), such that any action by the government will be treated as discretionary unless it is mandated by a “federal statute, regulation, or policy.” See, e.g., Domme v. United States, 61 F.3d 787, 789 (10th Cir.1995). But as I read Berkovitz, those duties dictated by statutes, regulations, and policies are a nonexclusive list of mandatory conduct. See 486 U.S. at 536, 108 S.Ct. 1954. The government may still be obliged to carry out certain duties, and a written statement is merely the clearest form of proof. I see no reason to assume that in waiving the federal government’s sovereign immunity to tort claims, which are creatures of state law, Congress did not expect state-law duties to have mandatory effect. Cf. Sydnes v. United States, 523 F.3d 1179, 1184 (10th Cir.2008). To interpret Berkovitz otherwise allows the government to avoid common-law duties of care, so long as it does not codify those duties in a federal publication employing mandatory language.

Had the Garcias not abandoned any argument that the Air Force’s actions failed under the second prong of Berkovitz, the outcome of this case might well have been different. This prong asks whether the relevant government official’s decision reflects an exercise of judgment based on public policy “of the kind that the discretionary function exception was designed to shield.” Berkovitz, 486 U.S. at 536, 108[*1183] S.Ct. 1954. The Garcias’ case might have fallen under our precedent that limits the kinds of decisions that will be treated as matters of public policy subject to the discretionary function exception. See, e.g., Boyd v. United States, 881 F.2d 895, 898 (10th Cir.1989).

Nevertheless, constrained by our current precedent and those arguments advanced by the parties, I am compelled to concur in the judgment, and do so.

Concurrence

HARTZ, Circuit Judge,

concurring:

I concur in the result and join all of Judge Kelly’s opinion, except that I do not think it necessary to decide whether AFI 32-1051 applies to pitch roofs.