AI is now embedded in core defense mission systems, acquisition planning, and contract administration. The legal, compliance, and contractual risks that follow are fast-growing and consequential — capable of derailing performance, generating False Claims Act (FCA) exposure, or disqualifying proposals.
As the Department of Defense (DoD) increases its reliance on AI-enabled capabilities, contractors should understand
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently announced that IBM agreed to pay $17,077,043 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act (FCA) in connection with its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring and employment practices. This resolution — the first under the DOJ’s Civil Rights Fraud Initiative — underscores heightened regulatory scrutiny
As in years past, the government continued to pursue False Claims Act (FCA) investigations and lawsuits against contractors in 2025. With over $6.8 billion in recoveries in 2025 and an increased number of cases filed, 2025 also saw the creation of a cross-agency Trade Fraud Task Force to begin instituting FCA actions as a customs
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced recently that settlements and judgments under the False Claims Act (FCA) exceeded $6.8 billion in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025 — the highest single-year total in the statute’s history. The announcement underscores the continued centrality of the FCA in the federal government’s fraud-enforcement arsenal.
Since Congress substantially
As federal agencies continue to navigate budget constraints, geopolitical uncertainty, workforce shortages, and rapid technological change, government contractors entering 2026 face an increasingly complex legal and enforcement environment. Recent case law, agency guidance, and enforcement activity reflect a clear trend: Contractors are being held to higher standards of documentation, transparency, and internal controls across the
The U.S. government contracts market is the largest and most sophisticated public procurement system in the world, with annual spending exceeding hundreds of billions of dollars across defense, civilian agencies, infrastructure, IT, healthcare, and professional services. For foreign companies, the market offers substantial opportunity — but it also presents unique legal, regulatory, and practical challenges
Colleges and universities are increasingly engaged in complex relationships with the federal government — through contracts, cooperative agreements, and research grants that fund everything from infrastructure and cybersecurity to medical and defense-related innovations. With billions of dollars in federal funding flowing annually to higher education institutions, compliance with government contracting and grant requirements is not
The Department of Justice recently announced that Georgia Tech Research Corporation (GTRC) has agreed to pay $875,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by failing to meet required cybersecurity standards in connection with contracts with the U.S. Air Force and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
In light of this
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) involving government contractors present unique challenges and considerations that require meticulous due diligence. Unlike purely commercial deals, government contracts introduce layers of regulatory compliance, security requirements, and approval processes that can significantly affect deal structure, valuation, and risk. This blog post outlines some of the basic best practices for due diligence
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