The Procurement Playbook

Back when Congress passed the FY2017 NDAA, they included a provision (Section 1822) requiring SBA to create a pilot program to provide opportunities for qualified subcontractors to obtain past performance ratings. Specifically, Congress mandated that SBA create a 3-year pilot program whereby small business concerns without a past performance rating […]

The Department of Defense (“DoD”) recently issued a final rule regarding contractor disclosures of defective pricing issues on DoD contracts, which can arise where the contractor’s certified cost or pricing data is inaccurate, incomplete or is not current.  In such cases, these errors and omissions can result in significant contract […]

Often times the most difficult part of the government contract claims process is checking all the procedural “boxes” of a certified claim.  Failure to file a claim within six years of accrual, request a contracting officer’s final decision, or include a wet ink signature are just a few of the procedural […]

When do agency Boards of Contract Appeals have jurisdiction to hear a federal contract dispute under the Contract Disputes Act (CDA) when the dispute is with a surety that issued a bond on the project?  Answering this question is key to avoiding a government motion to dismiss for lack of […]

On May 1, 2018, Oles Morrison partner Adam Lasky will be on a panel discussing “Tips for Avoiding Litigation on Federal Construction Projects,” together with Paul Varela (Varela, Lee, Metz & Guarino), Neil O’Donnell (Rogers, Joseph O’Donnell, PC), and Jennifer Fiore (Dunlap Fiore, LLC), at the AGC Federal Contractors Conference 2018.  Adam and the panel […]

In the RAND Corporations’s 2018 report on DoD bid protests, RAND highlighted some concerning statistics regarding bid protests filed by small businesses. RAND discovered that more than 50% of protests were being filed by small businesses (more than double the percentage of prime contract dollars going to small businesses), and […]

The case of Green Valley Company, ASBCA No. 61275, presents an interesting conundrum for contractors facing fraud allegations who also have a contract claim against the government.  In 2006, the contractor presented invoices for payment to the government.  In 2017, the contractor converted those invoices into a certified claim requesting payment.  Under the […]

As we were reviewing the regulatory agendas of various federal agencies for upcoming regulations that might impact federal contractors, we noticed that the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (“SBA”) most recent regulatory agenda included an upcoming proposed regulation entitled “Consolidation of Mentor Protégé Programs and Other Government Contracting Amendments.”  Specifically, SBA’s […]

For years bid protest filings at the Government Accountability Office (GAO) have been done by e-mail (or even fax, mail or hand delivery).  In January 2014, Congress directed GAO to establish a electronic filing and document dissemination system (not unlike the PACER system used by federal courts), and authorized GAO […]

As we previously discussed, when Congress passed the FY 2018 NDAA it required the Department of Defense (“DoD”) to issue regulations providing for enhanced post-award debriefing rights on certain DoD procurements.  Specifically, Congress mandated enhanced content requirements, a follow-up question process, and corresponding changes to the time to file a […]

Since at least 1945, the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the unique ability of government agencies to create binding, unwritten interpretations of their own regulations. What is most troubling about this is that the agency can make or amend its regulations during the course of a contractor’s performance.  This government interpretation […]

The termination for convenience clause arose at the end of the Civil War so the government could terminate construction contracts made during wartime once peace ensued, and not be liable for the contractor’s loss of anticipated profits.  The War (now Defense) Department continued to use this clause throughout the 19th […]

The Granston memorandum released in early 2018 caused a stir amongst False Claims Act qui tam relators and defendants alike. The practical effects of the Granston memo, however, are not yet fully apparent. Defendants in FCA suits should nonetheless take note that following the release of the Granston memo, the […]

Oles Morrison attorney, Jim Nagle, has been tapped to give the keynote presentation at the Alliance Northwest 2018 Conference on March 15.  Jim’s keynote, “Contracting in the age of Trump,” will cover President Trump’s impact on the regulatory process, the Buy American act, the role of contractors in fulfilling the work […]

“Cooperative Agreements” are legal instruments that facilitate the transfer of something of value from federal executive agencies to states, local governments, and private recipients for a public purpose or benefit. Cooperative Agreements are distinct from traditional procurement contracts and thus are not subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Like […]