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Upcoming Events: Register to attend PilieroMazza’s upcoming events here. Recent Thought Leadership: Check out PilieroMazza’s recent client alerts and blogs here. GovCon Live! Podcast: Listen to PilieroMazza’s Podcast Series “Commercial Businesses New to Government Contracting” here. |
DOD Releases Small Business Strategy
The Department of Defense (DOD) released its Small Business Strategy. The strategy seeks to promote a strong, dynamic, and robust small business industrial base by focusing on reducing barriers to entry, increasing set-aside competitions, and leveraging programs to grow the industrial base. The Small Business Strategy can be found here. A related DOD press release is available here.
Updated Model Subcontracting Plans
The General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Program is implementing new subcontracting plan templates. GSA’s Model Subcontracting Plans are often used as a tool by “other than small businesses” to complete their small business subcontracting plans when the total value of the acquisition exceeds $750,000. The updated model subcontracting plans are available on the MAS Scope and Templates page here. Read more here.
NIST Debuts Long-Anticipated AI Risk Management Framework
The National Institute of Standards and Technology unveiled its long-awaited Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Framework, representing the culmination of an 18-month-long project that aims to be universally applicable to any AI technology across all sectors. The document outlines the types of risk commonly found in AI and machine learning technology and how entities can build ethical, trustworthy systems. Read more here.
USAID Seeks Contractor Input on New STEM Fellowship Program
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is aiming to develop new professional Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fellowships and wants input from federal contractors and other stakeholders for “novel ideas” to possibly help launch them. According to a recently updated request for information (RFI), USAID is planning to announce an up to five-year contract award for a new professional STEM fellowships program in late summer 2023, with the agency hosting the first set of fellows sometime next year. The RFI seeks input on how potential contractors may structure a fellowship program “to attract individuals with appropriate scientific and technical expertise” to serve in the agency. Read more here.
Upcoming Government Contracts Presentations
WEBINAR: Unlocking the Secrets of Debriefings, Gov’t Evaluation of Proposals and Protests, February 9, Katie Burrows and Eric Valle. Read more here.
EVENT: Considerations for 8(a) Participants, Graduates, and Their Contracts in M&A Transactions, February 14, Cy Alba and Abby Baker. Read more here.
WEBINAR: Top 5 Employment Challenges in 2023 for Government Contractors, February 22, Sarah Nash. Read more here.
EVENT: Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR): Overview, March 3, Cy Alba. Read more here.
WEBINAR: Government Contract Claims: Top 10 Things to Know About the Contract Disputes Act, March 7, Lauren Brier and Dozier Gardner. Read more here.
LITIGATION & DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Walgreen Co. Pays $7 Million to Settle Allegations Under the False Claims Act
Walgreen Co. has paid $7 million to the U.S. and the State of Tennessee to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting claims to TennCare—the Medicaid program for the State of Tennessee—and knowingly retaining overpayments for specialty Hepatitis C medications dispensed to TennCare enrollees who did not meet TennCare’s clinical criteria for coverage and payment. Read more here.