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
One of the most powerful but often misunderstood tools available to government contractors is the pre-award protest. Unlike post-award protests, which generally challenge the outcome of a procurement, pre-award protests generally focus on the terms of the solicitation itself and/or the ground rules of the competition. When used strategically, a pre-award protest can help level
Organizational conflicts of interest (OCIs) continue to be a critical compliance risk in the federal contracting landscape. The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) mandates that contracting officers “avoid, neutralize, or mitigate” OCIs to ensure that government decisions are made objectively and without improper influence. For contractors — especially those engaged in professional services, systems engineering, or
For businesses aiming to win federal contracts, navigating the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) is a necessary — and often daunting — first step. Whether you’re a seasoned government contractor or new to federal procurement, understanding how to use SAM.gov effectively is crucial for compliance, eligibility, and success in the competitive public sector marketplace.
This
On February 10, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14209, titled “Pausing Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Enforcement to Further American Economic and National Security.” That order marked a major shift in the federal government’s approach to Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) enforcement, pausing most new FCPA actions for 180 days and directing the
As federal contractors continue to navigate the post-pandemic compliance landscape, a recurring issue has emerged in government audits and incurred cost reviews: whether and how contractors must credit the government for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness amounts received during the performance of cost-reimbursement contracts. The issue has raised significant questions regarding allowability, allocability, and
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
The U.S. Supreme Court recently delivered a significant ruling in Stamatios Kousisis, et al. v. United States, affirming that a defendant can be convicted of federal fraud for inducing a transaction through materially false pretenses, even absent an intent to cause economic harm. This unanimous decision clarifies the scope of the federal wire fraud
When participating in a government procurement process, understanding the rules governing bid protests is crucial. For contractors engaging with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), strict procedural guidelines must be followed to challenge a solicitation, evaluation, or contract award. Here’s what you need to know about filing a bid protest with MWAA.
When it comes to federal procurements, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operates a little differently than most other agencies. Unlike other federal agencies that follow the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), the FAA is governed by its own Acquisition Management System (AMS), which includes unique procedures for handling bid protests. At the heart of this process