A recent decision from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Dispute Resolution for Acquisition (ODRA) delivers significant rulings on two fronts: the unenforceability of contractual bid protest bars in FAA procurements, and the FAA’s renewed commitment to transparency in its adjudicative proceedings. Protest of Cavan Solutions, 2026 WL 1284037 (O.D.R.A. 2026), is required reading
A recent executive order marks a significant policy shift in federal procurement by directing agencies to default to fixed-price, performance-based contracting. Framed as an effort to promote fiscal discipline, transparency, and accountability, the order reflects concerns about cost overruns and inefficiencies associated with cost-reimbursement models. This post examines the order’s key provisions, its legal and
The first quarter of 2026 brought significant legal, regulatory, and compliance developments that federal contractors and government procurement professionals must understand. From transformative regulatory initiatives to high-profile executive actions and agency guidance, these shifts reflect changing priorities across the federal acquisition landscape. Below is a summary of the most impactful trends and legal updates through
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently issued to Congress its annual bid protest report (PDF). As discussed below, this year’s report is noteworthy for multiple reasons, including that it shows that protesters continued to receive some form of relief from the procuring agency in more than half of the protests filed with the GAO in
The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) is often described as the “bible” of federal procurement. For decades, it has governed how agencies acquire goods and services, and how contractors compete for, win, and perform government contracts. While incremental updates are common, the federal procurement community is now bracing for the implementation of an effort describing itself
In a recent decision, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) clarified its minimum pleading standard for bid protests. The decision was a bit unusual because, unlike the courts, the GAO rarely uses published decisions to address procedural issues. Nevertheless, the pleading standard described in the decision, which was prompted by a Congressional reporting mandate, provides
As the federal government continues to modernize procurement processes and embrace emerging technologies, contractors are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) tools to streamline their responses to solicitations. From drafting technical proposals to analyzing past performance data, AI offers considerable potential to improve efficiency, accuracy, and competitiveness. However, as with any transformative tool, the use
In a cautionary decision that reinforces the importance of strict compliance with solicitation instructions, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently denied in part and dismissed in part a protest challenging a contractor’s elimination from a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) procurement.
The recent case — FI Consulting, Inc. (FIC) — centers on a seemingly minor
As the regulatory environment continues to evolve in the new administration, U.S. government contractors are facing an increasingly complex array of legal challenges. Staying compliant and competitive requires close attention to several ongoing legal issues in addition to emerging ones:
Cybersecurity remains a top priority for federal agencies, and
On March 14, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order rescinding several policies from the previous administration, including Executive Order 14026, which had increased the minimum wage for federal contractors.
Signed on April 27, 2021, by then-President Joe Biden, Executive Order 14026 mandated that federal contractors pay a minimum