Impact of 11th Circuit’s Sovereign Immunity Waiver Decision on Tribally-Owned Businesses in SBA’s 8(a) Program
On May 1, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit issued a sweeping decision impacting sovereign immunity for tribally-owned government contractors. The first-of-its-kind appellate decision concludes that by participating in the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 8(a) Business Development Program (8(a) Program), tribally-owned entities waive sovereign immunity as to virtually all—if not all—claims connected in any way to the entity’s 8(a) Program participation, regardless of the tenuous nature of the connection. Tribally-owned government contractors should adjust their . . . Read More
CISA Unveils Final Self-Attestation Form for Software Producers Bidding on Federal Contracts
In March 2024, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released the final version of its secure software development self-attestation common form (Form), requiring federal government contractors who produce and provide software to verify that it complies with government-specified, minimum secure software development practices. Nearly one year ago, CISA published a draft version of the Form requesting public comment. PilieroMazza discussed some of the key requirements and implications of the draft form here . Contractors who sell software to the government . . . Read More
Is It Time for Regulations on GSA’s Contractor Teaming Arrangements?
In the late 1990s, the General Services Administration (GSA) created the concept of Contractor Teaming Arrangements (CTAs). Unlike the contractor teaming arrangements described under FAR 9.601, which simply describe a joint venture or prime contractor/subcontractor relationship, the GSA created a wholly new type of contracting team where all members of the team have privity [1] with the federal government and are all co-prime contractors…supposedly. In this blog, PilieroMazza reviews the limited rules governing CTAs and the impact on government contractors’ ability . . . Read More
Terms and Conditions vs. Contract Clauses: Which Language Applies to Government Contract Disputes?
Determining which language applies to a contract dispute is critical to any contractor seeking to recover costs through the claims and appeals process. Recently, through a series of appeals before the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals (CBCA) and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (Federal Circuit), both forums offered more fulsome guidance on when a contractor’s terms and conditions will apply to a contract despite potentially conflicting with standard federal contract provisions. Below, PilieroMazza summarizes relevant cases and . . . Read More
Unlocking the Potential of Phantom Equity: Incentive and Compensation Strategies to Attract and Retain Top Talent
Navigating the landscape of employee incentives can be complex, particularly when exploring non-traditional compensation methods. Phantom stock, also known as synthetic equity, offers a unique solution for business owners seeking to incentivize and retain key personnel without giving away ownership in the company. Below, PilieroMazza attorneys answer commonly asked questions regarding the nature of phantom stock, outlining its structure, benefits, and the strategic considerations involved with this valuable tool for attracting and retaining top talent. What is a phantom plan . . . Read More
Novation and Recertification Requirements: A Post-Closing Guide for GovCon M&A Deals
After the sale or acquisition of a business or its assets, there are often one or more post-closing requirements that business owners must complete. In deals involving government contractors, two of these requirements are especially important: contract novation and size recertification. Below, PilieroMazza attorneys provide a post-closing guide for government contractors on meeting novation and recertification requirements to avoid costly penalties such as loss of contract award or criminal liability. Overview Parties preparing to acquire a small business government contractor, . . . Read More
Corporate Transparency Act Updates for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses: Constitutionality, Exemptions, and Substantial Control
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), which came into effect on January 1, 2024, has significant implications for government contractors and commercial businesses. This client alert summarizes recent developments in the CTA—including constitutionality, physical office requirements, unpopulated joint ventures, and substantial control—to help businesses comply with and avoid harsh enforcement penalties. If you formed an entity on or after January 1, 2024, and are not subject to one of the exemptions, then you must file your initial BOI report within 90 days . . . Read More
Keys to Avoiding GAO’s Timeliness Trap
GAO’s recent decision in Marathon Medical Corporation provides a cautionary tale for government contractors seeking to protest the terms by which an agency conducts a procurement. Specifically, Marathon reinforces a little-known rule: the Government Accountability Office considers an agency’s receipt of proposals to be adverse agency action in response to an agency level protest challenging the terms of a solicitation, and the ten-day rule for filing a subsequent protest at GAO begins running from the date on which the agency . . . Read More
What DOD’s Final DFARS Rule Means for Defense Contractors, American Manufacturing, and Protecting the Nation’s Supply Chain
On February 15, 2024, the Department of Defense (DOD) issued a final rule amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement Executive Order (EO) 14005, Ensuring the Future Is Made in All of America by All of America’s Workers, and strengthen Buy American Act (BAA) domestic preferences in DOD procurements. Below, PilieroMazza explains the final rule’s implications for defense contractors in the manufacturing sector and safeguarding the defense industry’s supply chain. Evolution of BAA Domestic Preference Rules The DOD’s final . . . Read More
SBA’s 8(a) Program Again Challenged and the Potential Impacts on Native Owned Entities
The Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 8(a) Business Development Program (8(a) program) faced new constitutionality challenges in a case filed at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (COFC) by Advanced Simulation Technology Inc. (ASTi). ASTi protested a contract awarded to an Alaska Native Corporation (ANC) alleging, among other things, that the entire tribal 8(a) program is unconstitutional. While this case will likely be dismissed for reasons wholly unrelated to the constitutionality challenge, these allegations are sure to be raised again by . . . Read More