Commercial tech and AI companies entering the federal market face a hard lesson: Federal contracts do not work like commercial software licenses. GSA’s proposed AI clause is where that lesson gets expensive.
If your company sells software or AI-powered services commercially, your deal model is built on familiar assumptions: You license your product, you retain
The comment period closed. The clause survived. When GSA issues Refresh 32, existing Schedule holders will have 60 days to accept — or risk losing their contracts. Here is how to use the time you have left.
The market has spent six weeks debating whether GSA’s proposed AI clause — GSAR 552.239-7001 — is good
On March 26, 2026, the president issued an executive order titled “Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors”, directing federal agencies to include a new mandatory contract clause prohibiting federal contractors and subcontractors from engaging in “racially discriminatory DEI activities.” The order also expressly links compliance to False Claims Act (FCA) materiality, signaling heightened enforcement
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 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
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
Federal contractors often face unique challenges when their work intersects with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). While FOIA primarily governs federal agencies, contractors can be indirectly affected when agencies receive requests for documents related to proposals or contract performance. Understanding how to respond — and when to object — is critical to protecting
On February 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark decision in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, holding that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not authorize the president to impose tariffs. The ruling invalidated a broad set of tariffs imposed by executive order under IEEPA and reaffirmed that the constitutional
The U.S. Department of Justice recently expanded and clarified its Corporate Enforcement and Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy (CEP), significantly strengthening incentives for corporations to report misconduct to the government. The policy is part of a broader effort to standardize corporate enforcement practices and reward companies that promptly disclose wrongdoing, cooperate with investigators and remediate misconduct.
A suspension notice from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) can have immediate and significant consequences for a participant in the 8(a) Business Development Program. While a suspension is not the same as a final termination, it typically halts a firm’s ability to receive new 8(a) contract awards and may jeopardize its continued participation in