In a decision that underscores the limits of “speed” in federal procurement, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently sustained a bid protest by Effective Communications Strategy, LLC (EFS) challenging a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ contract award.
The case is a cautionary tale for both agencies and contractors. While streamlined acquisition methods are designed to
Government shutdowns create unique challenges for federal contractors — especially when performance obligations collide with halted agency operations, furloughed contracting officers, and disrupted oversight. One often-overlooked risk during these periods is the potential for negative Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) evaluations. As outlined at FAR 42.1503(b)(2), agencies review contractor performance across a variety