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
On May 2, 2025, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) issued a significant decision in Size Appeal of Bowhead Enterprise, Science, and Technology, LLC, SBA No. SIZ-6352. The decision reinforces a critical defense against ostensible subcontractor affiliation allegations: demonstrating compliance with the SBA’s limitation on subcontracting requirements.
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
The Oklahoma Supreme Court has rejected a contractor’s performance bond claim due to the lack of adequate notice to the subcontractor’s surety (see Flintco LLC v. Total Installation Management Specialists, Inc., No. 120,100 (Okla. May 28, 2025)). The case involves the construction of three student housing buildings on the campus of Oklahoma State in Stillwater. During
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
Historically, the Boards of Contract Appeals and Courts have reviewed design-builders’ reliance on government-provided conceptual drawings or bridging documents in support of constructive change claims under a reasonableness standard (see M. A. Mortensen Company, ASBCA No. 39978, 93-3 BCA ¶ 26,189). However, in two recent cases, the Spearin doctrine – under which the government
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.
For construction lawyers, the Battle of the Forms presents a familiar fact pattern. A material supplier/seller provides a potential buyer with a price quote along with its standard terms. The buyer, usually a contractor or subcontractor, responds with a form purchase order that includes its own standard terms, which differ from the seller’s terms. The
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