We leverage the resources of a multidisciplinary law firm—including a highly experienced team of government procurement lawyers, a bipartisan government relations team, and nationally recognized international trade and litigation practices—to assist clients with the full spectrum of issues that arise from government procurements.
Our clients range from small start-ups to Fortune 500 companies and national trade associations that span a variety of industries, including aerospace and defense, construction, architect and engineering (A&E), international advisory services, national security, manufacturing, information technology, biotechnology, health care, financial services, telecommunications and environmental services.
Our attorneys provide counseling on a wide variety of government contracting matters, including:
- Prime and subcontractor and teaming arrangements/agreements
- Bid protests
- Contract claims and disputes
- Internal and government investigations, including False Claims Act investigations and defense
- Federal appropriations, directed funding and reprogramming
- U.S. Department of Defense Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program and direct commercial sales to foreign governments
- Base Realignment Closure (BRAC)
- Public-private partnerships, privatization, government insourcing/outsourcing, and federal and state grants
- Suspension and debarment proceedings
- Small Business Administration (SBA) programs
- Domestic preference programs, including Buy America Act (BAA), Trade Agreement Act (TAA) and Berry Amendment
- Compliance with export controls, International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), use of foreign selling agents and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)
- GSA/VA Federal Supply Schedule contracts
- Leasing and other real property transactions
- M&A due diligence including CFIUS reviews and acquisitions subject to approval by the Defense Security Service (DSS)
Our attorneys understand the intricacies of government procurement litigation and are skilled at resolving disputes through negotiation, mediation, arbitration and litigation. We have history in achieving favorable results for our clients in the venues in which government contract controversies are heard. This includes bid protests before federal agencies (including the FAA Office of Dispute Resolution for Acquisition), the Government Accountability Office, the Court of Federal Claims and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. We also negotiate, defend and prosecute contract claims under the Contract Disputes Act. We represent subcontractors and prime contractors in disputes at the contract level. We represent federal contractors operating overseas.
We counsel clients facing False Claims Act (FCA) allegations and defend against whistleblower (qui tam) lawsuits brought against government contractors and corporations that participate directly and indirectly in government-funded programs. We also represent companies in congressional investigations and have significant experience assisting clients with Inspector General (IG) investigations. We are regularly called on to conduct internal investigations, to provide counsel during investigations and to design remedial compliance and corporate governance strategies, as well as the preparation of voluntary self-disclosures following sensitive internal investigations related to possible credible violations of federal statutes and regulations or possible overpayments.
Our experience covers the Departments of Defense, Justice, Homeland Security, State, Health and Human Services, Commerce, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs, as well as the U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. General Services Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration, Small Business Administration and many other major federal entities. We defend contractors and other parties facing suspension and debarment from federal contracting.
In addition to understanding the current rules for government contracting, we actively participate in ongoing efforts to reform government contracting practices. Our team regularly interacts with members of Congress and their staff, including congressional leadership and those who serve on committees with jurisdiction and oversight of procurement, national security and government contracting. These committees include, but are not limited to, the Senate and House Armed Services, Appropriations, Budget, Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and Oversight and Government Reform.