Government Contracts

Our government contracts team represents clients in all aspects of negotiating and securing contracts with the government, complying with federal procurement laws, regulations, and contract terms, as well as in disputes that arise out of those contracts. We leverage the resources of a multidisciplinary law firm—including experienced 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 transactions involving federal spending.

Our clients include small start-ups, midsize firms, and Fortune 500 companies that span a variety of industries, including aerospace and defense, construction, architect and engineering, defense and national security, manufacturing, IT, biotechnology, health care, financial services, telecommunications, and environmental services.

Our attorneys provide counseling on a wide variety of government contracting matters, including:

• Bid protests, contract claims and dispute resolution
• Ethics and compliance counseling
• Internal and government investigations and audits
• Suspension and debarment matters
• Grants, cooperative agreements, Other Transaction Authority agreements, and other vehicles associated with government-funded opportunities
• Small Business Administration programs
• Domestic preferences
• Davis-Bacon Act, Service Contract Act, and related wage and hour issues
• Government outsourcing and public private partnerships
• Federal Supply Schedule contracts
• Mergers and acquisitions, due diligence and foreign ownership counseling
• Cybersecurity, information privacy, and Freedom of Information Act

Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Our attorneys understand the intricacies of government procurement litigation and are skilled at resolving disputes through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and litigation. We have a track record of favorable results for our clients in the venues where government contract controversies are heard, including bid protests before federal agencies, the Government Accountability Office, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, the Boards of Contract Appeals, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. We also negotiate, defend and pursue claims under the Contract Disputes Act.

Internal and Government Investigations

We counsel clients facing False Claims Act allegations and defend against whistleblower (qui tam) lawsuits brought against government contractors, subcontractors, and companies that participate in government-funded programs. We have significant experience assisting with Inspector General investigations and routinely defend contractors and other parties facing suspension and debarment from federal contracting. We are regularly called on to conduct internal investigations, to provide counsel during investigations, to prepare voluntary or mandatory self-disclosures, and to design remedial compliance and corporate governance strategies.

Compliance Counseling

Government contractors operate in a complex regulatory environment, and compliance issues can derail operations and erase profits. We help clients remain compliant with evolving regulations and statutes and to fulfill the necessary reporting requirements associated with their awards. We provide counseling on the myriad domestic sourcing restrictions that apply to federal procurements, including the Buy America Act, the Trade Agreements Act and the Berry Amendment. We counsel companies on participation in the Small Business Administration’s Section 8(a) program and similar preference programs, and we routinely advise on FAR, DFARS and GSA Schedule compliance issues. We conduct due diligence reviews and regulatory clearances related to CFIUS and provide foreign ownership, control or influence (FOCI) mitigation, and counseling.

Government Reform and Oversight

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, Small Business, Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and Oversight and Government Reform.