David T. Hickey

Partner

Phone number
(202) 342-8834

Chair of the firm’s Government Contracts practice group, David Hickey helps clients navigate the unique and multifaceted complexities involved in doing business with the federal government.

David leverages his private practice, in-house, military, and Capitol Hill experience, negotiating skills, and subject matter expertise to bridge the gap between his clients’ objectives and interests and the government’s policies, priorities, and powers. His ability to develop solutions designed to seize opportunities while minimizing compliance concerns or disputes has made him a valued and trusted partner to clients in a wide range of industries, including defense, aerospace, construction, manufacturing, engineering, IT, consulting, healthcare, telecommunications, and environmental services.

With experience as in-house counsel at General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, David understands the role in-house counsel plays in a business organization. As a result, he renders on-point and practical advice.

David’s representation extends to every stage of the government contracting lifecycle. He advocates for and defends clients in bid protests and contract disputes between contractors and federal agencies, and drafts and negotiates teaming agreements, compliance agreements, contracts, and subcontracts. David also conducts transaction due diligence and internal investigations and protects his clients when facing government inquiries, audits, investigations, suspension or debarment proceedings, and contract claims.

David advises federal government contractor clients on a variety of procurement compliance issues, including the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), the Department of Defense FAR Supplement (DFARS), the General Services Administration (GSA) Acquisition Manual, and other federal agency FAR supplements. He has significant experience advising clients on cybersecurity issues and obligations as well as supply chain matters, including compliance with domestic sourcing requirements under the Buy American Act and the Trade Agreements Act.

David routinely counsels clients on due diligence matters involving the purchase or sale of a government contractor and small business contracting issues.

In addition to traditional government contracts counseling, David drafts and counsels clients on agreements such as those under Other Transaction Authority” frameworks, subawards under federal grants, cooperative agreements, and public-private partnerships.

Before becoming a lawyer, David served as a U.S. Army infantry officer and a staff investigator for the U.S. Senate Committee on governmental affairs and special investigations. He also was a manager in the United States House of Representatives, Office of the Clerk, where he implemented congressional ethics responsibilities under the Lobbying Disclosure Act, Ethics in Government Act, Congressional Mailing Standards, House Gift and Travel Rules, and the Federal Election Campaign Act.

Committed to giving back and paying it forward, David has an active pro bono practice, leads the firm’s Veterans Initiative and is involved in mentoring the firm’s newer attorneys.

The immense power and spending of the federal government offers my clients with tremendous opportunities and significant risks. My objective in contracting and procurement matters is to help my clients seize the former while advising them on keeping the latter at bay.”

Represented an energy company on successful negotiations with the Defense Logistics Agency and the Department of the Army for a renewable energy supply agreement to provide secure, renewable electricity to a major Army installation.

For decades, David has advised and represented clients in the health care, manufacturing, real estate, information technology, services, engineering, construction and aerospace and defense industries on dozens of bid protests before the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Court of Federal Claims.

Represented a major maintenance repair and overhaul contractor in engaging with Congress, the Air Force, local government entities, and other defense contractors to preserve contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Represented manufacturers of individual equipment and protective gear for uniformed military personnel in contracting and legislative matters related to selling items to the Military Departments.

Represented a property management company in political and legal counseling related to the U.S. Army’s Military Housing Privatization Initiative projects.