Weekly Update for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses– May 25, 2022
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 . GovCon Live! Podcast: Listen to PilieroMazza’s latest episodes and follow us to hear more here . GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS Fraud Allegations Could Bedevil Borrowers in SBA COVID-19 Relief Programs for Many Years, Cy Alba , May 19, 2022 As everyone who has been tracking the COVID-19 relief programs since 2020 knows, at . . . Read More
OFCCP’s Growing Activism Portends Stricter Enforcement
The Department of Labor (DOL) Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has taken several actions during the past six months that signal it will adopt a more forceful posture in ensuring that federal contractors meet their affirmative action and non-discrimination obligations toward their workforce. To prepare themselves for heightened scrutiny and tighter deadlines, government contractors should take steps now to set up their records for quick retrieval during OFCCP audits and rectify any unjustified pay disparities among their employees. . . . Read More
Weekly Update for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses– May 19, 2022
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 . GovCon Live! Podcast: Listen to PilieroMazza’s latest episodes and follow us to hear more here . GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS GSA Seeks Feedback on Potential Changes to Polaris Joint Ventures, Cy Alba , May 13, 2022 On May 13, 2022, the General Services Administration (GSA) published draft proposed changes to the Polaris Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC). . . . Read More
Fraud Allegations Could Bedevil Borrowers in SBA COVID-19 Relief Programs for Many Years
As everyone who has been tracking the COVID-19 relief programs since 2020 knows, at the outset there was massive confusion about the programs’ requirements as well as fear that funding could run out before businesses with uncertain futures could secure assistance. Now, two years later, we have heard from numerous clients who have received notice that the Small Business Administration (SBA) intends to audit the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan or Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) applications, and even of . . . Read More
Washington Business Journal Publishes Cy Alba’s Article on Returning to the Office
Washington Business Journal published an article by Cy Alba , a partner in the Government Contracts Group at PilieroMazza , in its Leadership Trust series on May 11, 2022. In the article , entitled “Back to the office, back to the drawing board: Legal tips for redesigning jobs to fit a hybrid mold,” Cy discusses numerous issues that could arise as offices reopen and employees return to in-person work after working from home for two years. His topics are varied and range from vaccination policies to discrimination . . . Read More
Federal News Network Quotes PilieroMazza’s Cy Alba about Proposed Changes to Polaris RFP
Cy Alba , a partner in the Government Contracts Group at PilieroMazza , was quoted in Federal News Network on May 13, 2022. The article by Jason Miller, entitled “GSA is out with suggested corrections to $50B Polaris RFP,” discussed proposed amendments to the mentor-protégé and joint venture requirements in the Polaris governmentwide acquisition contract. “The law is not entirely clear on where the ‘line’ is on the amount of experience that can be required by an agency so I believe it would come down to . . . Read More
Law360 Quotes Katie Burrows on Inflation Risk Borne by Contractors on Fixed Price Contracts
Katie Burrows , a partner in the Government Contracts Group at PilieroMazza , discussed with Law360 the consequences of inflation for government contractors. In an article by Daniel Wilson published May 13, 2022, entitled “ Inflation Remedies Too Sparse To Aid Fixed-Price Contractors ,” Katie explained that for most federal fixed-price contracts, the risk of cost increases falls solely on the contractor, leaving many with potentially money-losing deals. “Those types of contracts place upon the contractor maximum risk and full responsibility for all costs and resulting profit or loss, which allows the agency to . . . Read More
GSA Seeks Feedback on Potential Changes to Polaris Joint Ventures
On May 13, 2022, the General Services Administration (GSA) published draft proposed changes to the Polaris Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC). Specifically, the agency is proposing to revise Section L.5.1.3.1 of the request for proposals (RFP), dealing with joint ventures, after reviewing industry feedback and engaging with the Small Business Administration (SBA). GSA emphasized that the language is in draft form and is subject to change. Most importantly, members of the small business information technology community are encouraged to provide feedback to Polaris@gsa.gov by . . . Read More
Weekly Update for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses– May 11, 2022
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 . GovCon Live! Podcast: Listen to PilieroMazza’s latest episodes and follow us to hear more here . GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS GSA Awards Blanket Purchase Agreements for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Procurement The General Services Administration (GSA) awarded new Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs), which will make it . . . Read More
Federal Circuit Clarifies the Scope of Incorporation by Reference
A recent Federal Circuit decision supplies helpful direction to contractors wishing to incorporate their standard commercial terms and conditions into their government contracts. The federal government often claims that it wants to make its contracting process more like the commercial marketplace, but the government does not make it easy for commercial companies to do business with it. CSI Aviation, Inc. v. Dep’t of Homeland Security highlights the potential confusion surrounding the terms and conditions governing government contracts for commercial products or services. There, the contractor succeeded after several . . . Read More