Federal Contractors

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With the possibility of a government shutdown looming, federal contractors are rightfully concerned about how such an event could affect their contracts. Work stoppages, closed government facilities, and furloughed contracting officers can all disrupt contract performance. Fortunately, contractors may have legal avenues to recover certain costs and/or seek schedule relief when a shutdown impacts their…

As Congress continues to grapple with budget deadlines, the possibility of a government shutdown is never far from the minds of federal contractors. Unlike many federal employees, who may be furloughed with back pay authorized by Congress, government contractors often bear the brunt of shutdowns in the form of stopped work, delayed payments, or even…

Debriefings can be one of the most valuable opportunities for government contractors in the procurement process. Whether you win or lose a competition, a well-conducted debriefing provides insight into the agency’s evaluation, helps strengthen future proposals, and preserves certain protest rights. To maximize these benefits, contractors should approach debriefings strategically.

1. Know Your Rights

    Federal…

    Introduction

    In a recent bid protest decision, The DaVinci Company LLC v. United States, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims reaffirmed the enduring authority of the Trade Agreements Act (TAA) in federal procurements. At the center of the case was a straightforward but critical question: When the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) waives domestic…

    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…

    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…