The Procurement Playbook

Imagine a scenario in which a solicitation, calling in part for certain vehicle storage by bidders, requires that “[t]he contractor shall provide evidence that it has complied with all laws and ordinances associated with vehicle storage.  Applicable permits shall be kept current throughout the terms of the contract.”  Imagine then that a […]

Maritime government contracting is a multi-billion dollar industry involving the Navy, Army, Coast Guard and other agencies. Most contractors are familiar with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 33.211 provision at the end of each contracting officer’s (“CO’s”) decision on a Contract Disputes Act (“CDA”) claim stating: “Instead of appealing to the […]

In FY 2016, there were 2,789 bid protests filed at the Government Accountability Office (“GAO”) challenging federal procurement decisions.  In approximately 46% of these protests, the protester obtained some or all of the relief it was seeking, either through the protest being sustained by GAO, or through the federal agency […]

A Request for Equitable Adjustment (REA) is not defined by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), but is only referenced therein.  What then, is an REA? REAs are requests for additional monies or time based on contract clauses that provide for such relief, for instance the Changes clause of the contract […]

Join Howard Roth June 1st for “Teaming & Joint Venturing for Government Contracting Success” sponsored by Washington PTAC and Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce.  This seminar will be held at the Tri-Cities Business & Visitor Center Bechtel Board Room 7130 W. Grandridge Blvd., Kennewick WA 99338 from 10am to 12pm.  For more information […]

On April 18, 2017, President Trump signed the “Buy American Hire American” Executive Order (“EO”).  The EO restates the policy of the government to buy American.  Federal agencies are required to make an assessment of what the EO calls the “Buy American Laws” aimed at maximum use of United States […]

President Trump has signed Executive Order 13767 that directs a wall to be built on the Mexico-United States border.  The Department of Homeland Security has sought proposals to design and build a prototype of the border wall, and many contractors have submitted offers.  At the same time, several state and local […]

When a government contractor is terminated for reasons other than default, the response from the contractor is often to evaluate the contracting officer’s decision and rationale for the termination and determine if an appeal is warranted.  Government contractors sometimes appeal a contracting officer’s decision to terminate their contract by alleging […]

Nearly 100 days into the new presidency, all eyes are on which of his campaign promises President Trump will implement next.  One such promise put into motion is the President’s estimated $1 trillion infrastructure plan.  Touted during his campaign as a means to stimulate job growth, the President’s plan may […]

A federal judge in the Western District of Washington has ruled that tribal employees may still be liable in their individual capacities under the False Claims Act, even if Native American tribes themselves are protected from such suits by sovereign immunity. This interpretation could have important implications for Alaska Native-owned […]

In Roy Allen Slurry Seal, Inc. v. American Asphalt South, Inc., (2017) 2 Cal.5th 505, the California Supreme Court recently ruled that disappointed bidders could not state a claim for the tort of intentional interference with prospective economic advantage against companies that obtain public contracts based on business practices that […]

Contractors often sign modifications and change orders without being fully aware of the rights they may be waiving under the modifications’ terms. While the federal government’s standard modification form (Standard Form 30) does not contain waiver language, government agencies generally add such language to ensure that the modification forecloses future […]

In what appears to be the first litigation concerning “intergovernmental support agreements” (IGSA), the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in Red River Waste Solutions, Inc., B-414367 (March 21, 2017) declared that it has jurisdiction to review the award of IGSAs (in this particular case an IGSA for garbage collection services). Section 331 of […]

Unlike bid protests filed at the Government Accountability Office (“GAO”), there is no automatic Competition in Contacting Act (“CICA”) stay that applies to protests filed at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (“COFC”). Instead, a protester wishing for the contract award to be halted during the pendency of a COFC protest has […]

Last month, we wrote about the House passing a resolution (H.J. Res. 37) pursuant to the Congressional Review Act to repeal the Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces rule (commonly known as the contractor “Blacklisting” rule). At the time we predicted the resolution would also pass the Senate and be signed by President Trump. On March […]