The Rise of OTA in Defense Contracting, Part 1: Defense Acquisition Reform
President Trump’s April 9, 2025, Executive Order Modernizing Defense Acquisitions and Spurring Innovation In the Defense Industrial Base (EO) is likely to have major implications for federal defense contractors. This blog, the first in a three-part series about Other Transactions Authority (OTA), discusses the EO and the Department of Defense’s (DOD) use of OTA in reforming defense acquisition. For government contractors eager to work with DOD under OTA—particularly small businesses and non-traditional defense contractors with an interest in research, development, and prototyping—the EO’s preference for OTs may present a significant opportunity. . . . Read More
Clocking in with PilieroMazza: Latest Developments on DEI Executive Order and Action Items before April 21 Deadline
6 Effective Tactics to Help Government Contractors Overcome Unfavorable CPARS Evaluations
In federal contracting, your reputation is currency, and few tools can shape that reputation more than the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS). CPARS evaluations don’t just sit in a file, they’re pulled directly into award decisions and can make or break your ability to win future work. How you respond and engage during the CPARS process can directly impact your pipeline of new business. Here are 6 effective tactics every government contractor needs to know—and should consider—when facing a . . . Read More
Weekly Update for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses – April 10, 2025
If you have questions concerning the content below, please visit this link . Upcoming Events: Register to attend PilieroMazza’s upcoming events here . Recent Thought Leadership: Check out PilieroMazza’s recent client alerts and blogs here . Podcasts: Listen to PilieroMazza’s podcasts GovCon Live! here , Clocking in with PilieroMazza here , and Ex Rel. Radio here . GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS PilieroMazza’s Sam Finnerty Joined Federal Drive with Tom Temin to Discuss Real-World Implications of Executive Order Forcing Plaintiffs to Pay for Injunctions Against the Government, PilieroMazza News, Samuel S. Finnerty One of the recent executive . . . Read More
Nichole Atallah Contributes to PCI Podcast Series “Tracking Changes with the New Administration to Help You Manage Contracts and Grants”
This is the first in a series of PCI podcasts “Tracking Changes with the New Administration to Help You Manage Contracts and Grants.” In this episode, PilieroMazza ’s Nichole Atallah and Forvis Mazars ‘ Bill Walter discuss evolving affirmative action and DEI requirements, enforcement of the Trump administration’s DEI Executive Orders, and what government contractors should do to ensure compliance with the administration’s rules. Primarily, contractors should evaluate their policies and procedures for hiring, promotion, and retention for federal law compliance and carefully review the certification required by . . . Read More
PilieroMazza’s Sam Finnerty Joined Federal Drive with Tom Temin to Discuss Real-World Implications of Executive Order Forcing Plaintiffs to Pay for Injunctions Against the Government
One of the recent executive orders from the Trump administration directs federal agencies to require plaintiffs post a security (a bond) when seeking preliminary injunctions or temporary restraining orders in lawsuits against the government. As the number of lawsuits seeking to block recent executive actions rises, this Executive Order (EO) enforcing Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(c) (FRCP 65) is drawing increased attention. In this exclusive interview, Sam Finnerty provides valuable insights into why the EO was issued, how FRCP . . . Read More
Corporate Transparency Act, Part 10: Interim Final Rule, U.S. Companies and U.S. Persons Exempt From Reporting
On March 26, 2025, FinCEN issued an interim final rule and request for comments, removing the requirement under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) for both U.S. companies and U.S. persons to report beneficial ownership information to FinCEN. The rule is effective March 26, 2025. Thus, subject to additional rule changes, U.S. companies and U.S. individuals no longer have to file an initial Beneficial Ownership Information Report (BOIR) or otherwise update or correct a previously filed BOIR. Please visit this link to access Parts 1-9 . . . Read More
Keeping Your Defense Contract: Combating Recent Government Contract Cuts
The Department of Defense (DOD) cut another batch of government contracts and grants on March 20th. The DOD is just one of many executive agencies advancing the policies of President Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) focusing on mass cuts to contracts and grants in the name of improving government efficiency. The latest DOD cuts come a day after the deadline for DOD heads to conduct a comprehensive review and validation of existing General Services Administration (GSA) contract . . . Read More
OHA Confirms: SBA Must Consider Operating Agreements in Joint Venture Size Determinations
A recent Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) decision in the Size Appeal of DecisionPoint-Agile Defense JV, LLC , SIZ-6336 (Feb. 12, 2025) highlights the critical role of a thorough SBA review in small business size determinations. OHA overturned an adverse size determination after finding the SBA Area Office improperly refused to consider the mentor protégé joint venture’s (JV) operating agreement (OA) simply because it was not expressly incorporated into the joint venture agreement (JVA). This decision reinforces that a well-drafted operating agreement . . . Read More
Weekly Update for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses – April 3, 2025
If you have questions concerning the content below, please visit this link . Upcoming Events: Register to attend PilieroMazza’s upcoming events here . Recent Thought Leadership: Check out PilieroMazza’s recent client alerts and blogs here . Podcasts: Listen to PilieroMazza’s podcasts GovCon Live! here , Clocking in with PilieroMazza here , and Ex Rel. Radio here . GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS Bloomberg Government Interviews Sam Finnerty on Trump’s Overhaul of Federal Contracting and GSA’s Pivotal Role, PilieroMazza News, Samuel S. Finnerty In a March 20 executive order , President Trump directed federal agencies to submit plans to consolidate . . . Read More