Virginia First State to Adopt Workplace Safety Standards Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic
On July 15, the Virginia Safety and Health Codes Board approved temporary emergency standards to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in Virginia workplaces. Expected to go into effect during the week of July 27, the new workplace safety standards are the first of their kind in the country. The regulations will impose large monetary penalties on companies that fail to implement various COVID-19 safety measures. Virginia state officials, under the direction of Governor Ralph Northam, purportedly spearheaded implementation of the . . . Read More
STARS III: Simultaneous Bidding as Prime Contractor and Managing Member of JV, or Bidding as Managing Member Under Multiple JVs
PilieroMazza has received a flood of questions related to STARS III and Cy Alba gave a presentation ( link ) earlier today walking through a number of keys issues and our interpretation of key requirements in the RFP. As a part of that, one key question being asked is whether clients are able to bid themselves as a prime contractor and also as the managing member of a joint venture? While there is nothing in the STARS III RFP that expressly disallows submitting an offer . . . Read More
Long-Term Remote Work Strategies
Presented by Sarah Nash and Anna Wright. Click here to view the recorded session. With top companies permanently moving to a majority remote workforce, the COVID-19 shift to telework is here to stay. Employers need policies and procedures to manage the virtual workplace. This webinar covers strategies for sustaining long-term remote operations, including: maintaining data security and implementing an insider threat program; managing employee disputes and complaints; meeting health and safety obligations; and hiring and onboarding new employees.
Nuts and Bolts of SCA
Presented by Nichole Atallah of PilieroMazza PLLC and Mary Holmes of BOOST LLC . Click here to view the recorded session. Compliance with the Service Contract Act (SCA), now referred to as the Service Contract Labor Standards, is a challenge for many companies. Understanding applicability, wage determinations, health and welfare benefits, and leave can cause major headaches. If these were not enough, non-compliance may lead to a Department of Labor (DOL) audit. This webinar covers strategic decisions that can help minimize SCA costs and liability. Key topics include: common SCA . . . Read More
BLOG: New DOL Rule Frees TRICARE Providers from OFCCP Audits and Enforcement
On July 2, 2020, the Department of Labor (DOL) published a final rule , which clarifies that its Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) lacks authority over certain medical providers who contract with TRICARE. While there has been a moratorium on OFCCP enforcement for TRICARE providers since 2014, the potential for future OFCCP audits and related litigation loomed large. This rule relieves healthcare providers who solely contract with the federal government through TRICARE from future OFCCP audits and enforcement. OFCCP enforces Executive . . . Read More
ANNOUNCEMENT: PilieroMazza’s Corporate Team Welcomes Laura Sims, Former In-House Counsel to Clean Energy Collective
PilieroMazza is pleased to announce that Laura Sims has joined the firm as an Associate in its Business & Transactions Group in Boulder, Colorado. With a background as in-house counsel at a solar company and as a corporate lawyer in private practice, Laura offers the firm’s corporate clients a full spectrum perspective on all their business concerns. She is also well-versed in every stage of solar project development from pre-construction to asset management, as well as solar project financing and sale transactions. “We are delighted to welcome . . . Read More
BLOG: COVID-19 Is Spiking More Than Just Fevers: 5 Things to Remember with Union Organizing on the Rise
As unemployment rises and companies face new COVID-19 health and safety challenges, many unions are exploring new ways to encourage employees to organize. In this climate of union organizing, it can be important to keep open communications with your workforce. Often, the best way to avoid a union organizing campaign is to listen to employee concerns as they arise and keep a watchful eye on signs that employees might be considering organizing, providing you an opportunity to get out in . . . Read More
Weekly Update for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses – July 7, 2020
If you have questions concerning the content below, please visit this link . COVID-19 Client Resource Center: To access resources for businesses navigating the COVID-19 crisis, we invite you to visit PilieroMazza’s “ COVID-19 Client Resource Center .” Please contact [email protected] for immediate assistance. LABOR & EMPLOYMENT LAW DC Launches Paid Family Leave Program July 1—What Employers Need to Know, July 1, 2020, Nichole Atallah , Sarah Nash , and Sara Nasseri Employees in DC are now eligible for paid family leave pursuant to the DC Paid Family Leave Act. Below is our brief primer on what . . . Read More
BLOG: $4.5 Million False Claims Act Settlement Underscores DOJ’s Focus on Fraud in Small Business Programs
During the webinar on “ The False Claims Act: 2019 Takeaways and 2020 Trends ” earlier this year, Matt Feinberg and Jackie Unger noted that the SBA’s small business programs are fertile ground for False Claims Act (FCA) enforcement and predicted increased enforcement in 2020 and beyond. A recent settlement has shown this to be true and illustrates that the risk of FCA liability can extend to affiliates and business partners of purported small businesses that contract with the federal government. On May 4, 2020, the DOJ issued a press release stating that Northland Associates, . . . Read More
Doing Business with the Government and the Impact of COVID-19
The July 2020 issue of Lawyer Monthly features an article by PilieroMazza ‘s Managing Partner Pam Mazza on “ Doing Business with the Government and the Impact of COVID-19 .” In the article, Pam explores why companies should consider doing business with the government and the possible pitfalls they should be aware of. Pam also discuses the challenges COVID-19 has presented for government contractors and changes we should be on the lookout for. Please visit this link to view the full article.