Jon Williams Authors Article for Federal News Network: If VA Builds Warehouse, Distribution Capabilities for Sleep Therapy, Better Patient Care Will Not Come
Jon Williams was recently published in Federal News Network with an article on a flawed insourcing strategy by the VA for critical medical devices. In February 2019, Jon wrote in Federal News Network about the VA’s plans to insource the warehousing and distribution of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices and related supplies that are used to treat a rapidly-growing number of veterans with respiratory disabilities. While VA’s goal to improve veteran healthcare in sleep therapy is laudable, Jon wrote about why . . . Read More
BLOG: COVID-19 and Its Effects on Credit Facilities
With the spread of COVID-19, businesses all over the world have seen their operations affected and their cash flow and production decreased, putting them at risk for potential default on their credit obligations. The prediction is that the global economy will enter into a recession, which will continue to affect the financial situation of millions of businesses. All businesses should consider the available options to remedy any borrowing deficits in light of specific circumstances. When providing financing for business enterprises . . . Read More
Alert! FAR Council Changes Rules Regarding Small Business Rerepresentation/Recertification and Multiple Award Contracts (MACs)
On February 27, 2020, the FAR Council published a final rule (Rule) that amends the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement regulatory changes made by the Small Business Administration (SBA) in 2013. See 78 Fed. Reg. 61114 (Oct. 2, 2013). Although these “new” rules have been reflected in SBA regulations for some time, their addition to the FAR is significant because, as any experienced government contractor knows, procurement officials do not always follow SBA’s rules, particularly if such rules are not incorporated . . . Read More
Coronavirus in the Workplace—What Employers Need to Know
As the potential spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States becomes a very real possibility, employers should prepare to address the condition and concerns in the workplace. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently issued guidance on steps to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. In light of this guidance, employers should consider implementing certain policies and procedures to continue to ensure a safe and healthy workplace. The policy can . . . Read More
BIA to Establish Procedures for Federally Recognizing Alaskan Tribes
On January 2, 2020, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) issued a proposed rule to create a new 25 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 82 that would establish procedures for a non-federally recognized Alaska Native entity to be acknowledged as an Indian tribe by the federal government. This regulation is the first to establish a process for Alaska Native entities to be federally recognized as a tribe since the Alaska Amendment of the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) was enacted in 1936. . . . Read More
Weekly Update for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses – February 28, 2020
If you have questions concerning the content below, please visit this link . Comments to Proposed Rule on Consolidation of Mentor Protégé Programs and Other Government Contracting Amendments, February 7, 2020 In its role as advocate to small businesses operating in the government contracting arena, PilieroMazza submitted comments to RIN 3245-AG94 , Consolidation of Mentor Protégé Programs and Other Government Contracting Amendments. Our full comments are available here . BUSINESS & TRANSACTIONS LAW ANNOUNCEMENT: PilieroMazza Counsels Tribal Tech CEO Victoria Vasques on Acquisition of Cowan & Associates, February 6, . . . Read More
BLOG: JEDI Protest Update: Pentagon Relies on Blue & Gold Fleet to Do Away with AWS’s Allegations of Bias
Oftentimes, a decision not to file a pre-award protest can leave an unsuccessful offeror without an opportunity to be heard at the Court of Federal Claims (COFC). However, the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the JEDI Contract and the Trump Administration’s ongoing, publicized aversion to Amazon could save Amazon Web Service’s (AWS) bias allegations against the Pentagon from an early dismissal. Since filing its protest with the COFC in November 2019, AWS has continued its aggressive attack on the Pentagon’s decision to . . . Read More
BLOG: The Service Contract Right of First Refusal Rules Continue to Fall Away
On January 31, 2020, the Federal Register announced that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) rescinded the service contractor “right of first refusal” regulations at 29 C.F.R. Part 9. [1] This was done to implement the President’s October 31, 2019 revocation of the 2009 Executive Order No. 13,495, Nondisplacement of Qualified Workers Under Service Contracts (Nondisplacement Rules). DOL’s move was primarily administrative in nature, given that the President’s revocation order commanded Executive Agencies to stop enforcing the rules. Generally speaking, Nondisplacement Rules . . . Read More
BLOG: DOJ Inside Access Highlights 4 Things to Expect from the False Claims Act in 2020
Several weeks ago, my colleague Matt Feinberg highlighted “ 4 Issues That Defined the False Claims Act (FCA) in 2019 ” and made predictions about anticipated FCA trends for 2020. At the recent 2020 Advanced Forum on False Claims and Qui Tam Enforcement, Department of Justice (DOJ) Deputy Associate Attorney General Stephen Cox (AG Cox) offered inside access to DOJ’s prospective priorities in enforcing and reforming the FCA for 2020 . Below, we review the DOJ’s resolutions, which allow us to better anticipate and understand issues government contractors may face under the FCA moving forward. Continue qui tam Enforcement Efforts In 2019, we saw . . . Read More
BLOG: SBA Issues FAQs on New HUBZone Program Rules
Earlier this month, the Small Business Administration (SBA) issued its answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) concerning the new rule changes to the HUBZone Program. These FAQs follow the December 26, 2019 effective date of the new HUBZone rules, and should be helpful for current and potential HUBZone firms. The FAQs address common confusions in the new rules. For instance, SBA answers how to take credit for an employee who resided in a HUBZone as of the date of certification and for . . . Read More