Government Contracts Monitor

Proposed Rule Would Place Burden on Contractors to Address Employee Personal Conflicts of Interest (PCIs)

For some time now, OCIs have been a primary target for regulatory reforms, but now… PCIs?

New Rule to Limit Length of Noncompetitive Contracts Awarded with “Unusual and Compelling Urgency”

In an update to our recent post relating to GAO’s treatment of the “unusual and compelling urgency” exception to the competition requirements, the government has implemented a new rule further limiting the use of this exception.[1]

Government Contractors Face Challenges in Establishing Contract Claims Against Higher Tier Contractors

Lower-tier subcontractors performing work on government contracts sometimes stand in a difficult position: exposed to the same government compliance requirements as prime contractors, but lacking the direct contractual relationships necessary to obtaining legal recourse in the event that something goes wrong.

Even in the Face of "Unusual and Compelling Urgency," Agencies Must Maximize Competition to the Extent Possible

The government must use “full and open competition” when it purchases goods or services unless one of seven primary exceptions is met. A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) decision serves as a reminder that such exceptions do not necessarily mean competition can be abandoned altogether.

New “Performance and Integrity” Database to Impose Additional Reporting Requirements on Government Contractors

A proposed regulation would amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to require government contract offerors with over $10 million in federal grants and contracts to provide information relating to criminal convictions, civil judgments and administrative proceedings directly into a new information system maintained by the government.

E-Verify Rule to Take Effect September 8, 2009

The last hurdle before the implementation of a rule requiring federal government contractors to verify employees’ employment eligibility has been cleared. 

Obama Steps Up to the Plate for E-Verify, Confirms 9/8/09 Start-Date

The Obama Administration has finally and officially endorsed the rules requiring federal government contractors to use E-Verify – the previous administration’s immigration compliance system extensively covered in this blog.

Providing Care to Federal Employees May Mean Affirmative Action Plans and Additional Compliance Requirements

If you provide medical services to federal government employees, you may be a government contractor without knowing it. And what you don’t know can hurt you.

Congress Demands More Oversight on Major Defense Systems Acquisition

On May 22, 2009, President Obama signed the Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act of 2009 (WSARA), a statute that, in the President’s words, aims to “eliminate some of the waste inefficiency in our defense projects.” 

E-Verify Contractor Rule Postponed Yet Again - Until September 8, 2009

On June 5, the Federal government announced a further delay of the requirement that Federal contractors use the E-Verify program – DHS’ electronic immigration compliance system to confirm employees’ employment eligibility.