The HUBZone Contractors National Council honored PilieroMazza with the “HUBZone Small Business Resource Partner of the Year” award at the HUBZone Industry Awards Gala on January 17, 2020. Accepting the award on behalf of PilieroMazza were Partners Jon Williams ( Government Contracts Group ) and Kathryn Hickey ( Business & Transactions Group ), pictured below with Michelle Burnett, Executive Director of the Council. Commenting on the award, Jon Williams remarked, “PilieroMazza advocates for all types of small business federal contractors, and are strong proponents of the HUBZone program’s mission, potential as an engine for . . . Read More
On January 7, 2020, the Senate confirmed U.S. Treasurer Jovita Carranza as the 26th Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA). During her testimony before the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Carranza listed a number of priorities she will bring to her role at SBA. Below are notable priorities that may impact small businesses and/or government contractors. Provide Better Resources to Small Businesses in Disadvantaged Communities Carranza mentioned that connecting small businesses from disadvantaged communities with SBA support . . . Read More
Kathryn Hickey, Chair of PilieroMazza ’s Business & Transactions Group , recently appeared on Quantive ’s “The Deal – Unscripted” with Dan Doran to answer the question: “When should I contact my M&A attorney?” Interview with Kathryn Hickey | Part 1 Interview with Kathryn Hickey | Part 2
On January 16, 2020, the Department of Labor’s (DoL) Wage and Hour Division will publish a final rule clarifying joint employer status under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), adopting a four-factor test to determine joint employer status. The rule simplifies and narrows the interpretation of a joint employer from the interpretation implemented by the Obama administration. This final rule will benefit companies establishing cooperative business arrangements as they seek assurances as to whether they will be responsible for ensuring . . . Read More
On January 9, 2020, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that it recovered more than $3 billion in settlements and judgments from civil cases involving fraud and the False Claims Act (FCA) in Fiscal Year (FY) 2019, which ended September 30, 2019. Along with the announcement, the government issued its annual fraud statistics report for the fiscal year. The government’s announcement and report confirmed trends in FCA litigation and other fraud cases that government contractors should look out for in 2020 . . . Read More
If you have questions concerning the content below, please visit this link . PODCAST: Ex Rel. Radio – False Claims Act: The Risks to Small Business Government Contractors “False Claims Act: The Risks to Small Business Government Contractors” is the fifth episode of “Ex Rel. Radio,” our multi-part series on the False Claims Act (FCA). In this episode, Firm Counsel Michelle Litteken joins our host, Jon Williams , to discuss how the FCA relates to small business programs, potential risks these companies face, . . . Read More
PilieroMazza is pleased to announce that Jason Blindauer has joined the Firm as an Associate in its Government Contracts Group . Mr. Blindauer provides practical, detail-oriented counsel on a wide array of government contracting matters. Tony Franco , Chair of the Government Contracts Group, remarked “Jay has an impressive body of work in the government contracts sector. Our clients will certainly benefit from his years of experience.” Mr. Blindauer represents clients in bid protests, small business issues that include size and status protests, requests for equitable adjustment, claims, . . . Read More
PilieroMazza has been blogging a lot over the past year about the Department of Defense’s (DoD) highly anticipated CMMC. And there has been a lot to say, from the early stages of CMMC as a new “overarching standard,” to its first public draft release, through its first major streamlining, and finally to its latest public draft release in early December 2019. The pace of developments is expected to increase in 2020 as DoD releases a compliance checklist, finalizes the certification standards, and . . . Read More
If you have questions concerning the content below, please visit this link . Join the HUBZone Council as They Celebrate Their 20th Anniversary On January 17, 2020, the HUBZone Contractors National Council will be hosting its first EVER HUBZone Industry Awards Gala in Baltimore, MD, at Morgan State University with a 1920s-themed party. The purpose of the event is to raise awareness for the HUBZone Program and highlight the social and economic impact the program is having throughout our nation’s most underdeveloped communities. Register here . PilieroMazza Celebrates Holiday . . . Read More
The Small Business Administration (SBA) recently published a proposed rule that would merge its mentor-protégé programs and amend many of its rules governing the 8(a) program. Our Firm’s Managing Partner, Pamela Mazza , recently explained the rule’s significant implications for the government contracting community. In particular, SBA’s proposed rule would make a number of changes to the 8(a) program and regulations applicable to tribally owned 8(a) businesses. Pam and her partner Peter Ford will be attending a tribal consultation meeting in Oklahoma City on January 16, . . . Read More
