The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, signed into law on December 22, 2023, makes numerous changes to acquisition policy. Crowell & Moring’s Government Contracts Group discusses the most consequential changes for government contractors here. These include changes that impose a new conflict of interest regime for government contractors with a connection to China, impose new restrictions and requirements, require government reporting to Congress on acquisition authorities and programs, and alter other processes and procedures to which government contractors are subject. The FY 2024 NDAA also includes the Federal Data Center Enhancement Act, the American Security Drone Act, and the Intelligence Authorization Act for FY 2024.Continue Reading The FY 2024 National Defense Authorization Act: Key Provisions Government Contractors Should Know
Eric Ransom
Be Careful What You Wish For: Limited Commercial Subcontract Flowdowns May Increase Administrative Burdens
The Department of Defense recently issued a long-awaited final rule prohibiting DoD prime contractors from “flowing down” FAR and DFARS clauses in subcontracts for commercial products or services, unless flowdown is specified by regulation. This rule implements language, dating from the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act, intended to reduce administrative burdens on DoD contractors and subcontractors by adding a prohibition on extraneous flowdowns at DFARS 252.244-7000 Subcontracts for Commercial Products or Commercial Services.Continue Reading Be Careful What You Wish For: Limited Commercial Subcontract Flowdowns May Increase Administrative Burdens
Biden’s Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence
On October 30, 2023, President Biden released an Executive Order (EO) on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This landmark EO seeks to advance the safe and secure development and deployment of AI by implementing a society-wide effort across government, the private sector, academia, and civil society to harness “AI for good,” while mitigating its substantial risks.Continue Reading Biden’s Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence
Speak Now Or Forever Hold Your Protest: Intervenor’s Silence Waives Future Protest Grounds
When is the deadline to file a bid protest, and what actions or inactions can cause potential future protest arguments to be waived? These seemingly simple questions can have surprising answers. In a recent bid protest decision, GAO held that a contract awardee can waive potential protest grounds by failing to raise them when intervening…
One-Two Punch: President Biden Issues Made in America Executive Order Mere Days After FAR Council Issues Final Rule Tightening Federal “Buy American” Requirements
Contractors barely had time to digest the prior administration’s changes designed to tighten the Buy American Act restrictions when, on January 25, 2021, President Biden issued Executive Order 14005 on “Ensuring Future of America is Made in America by all of America’s Workers” directing further tightening and perhaps even a new approach to determining what…
All Things Protest: Stay Override Challenge in a Pandemic-Related Procurement
Crowell & Moring’s “All Things Protest” podcast keeps you up to date on major trends in bid protest litigation, key developments in high-profile cases, and best practices in state and federal procurement. In this episode, hosts Olivia Lynch and Christian Curran are joined by colleague Eric Ransom to discuss issues surrounding emergency sole source procurements, …
Architect-Engineering Firm Wins GAO Protest Alleging Misevaluation of Qualification Statements under $2 Billion Brooks Act Procurement
Generally, government procurements for construction and architect-engineering do not follow the typical Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) rules applied to the purchase of other goods and services. Instead, these services are procured under the authority of the Brooks Act, according to special procedures designed to identify the most qualified firms; specifically, the Two-Phase Design-Build Selection Procedures…
GAO Sustains Protests Alleging Agency Failed to Consider Pandemic Impacts on its Requirements
In Chronos Solutions et al., GAO sustained a pre-award protest challenging the terms of a solicitation issued by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The solicitation sought asset management services to support the disposition of properties conveyed to HUD following foreclosure of loans guaranteed by the Federal Housing Authority. The…
Follow Up: White House Issues Order under Defense Production Act as Part of COVID Response
On March 23, 2020, the President signed an “Executive Order on Preventing Hoarding of Health and Medical Resources to Respond to the Spread of COVID-19” delegating additional authorities under the Defense Production Act of 1950 (“DPA”), which builds on Executive Order (EO) No. 13909, issued March 18, 2020, which we discussed here.…
Administrative Relief for USAID Grant Recipients and Applicants Impacted by COVID-19
On March 19, 2020 the Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) issued Memorandum M-20-17, “Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) due to Loss of Operations.” The memorandum details the administrative relief available to an expanded scope of grant recipients and applicants, both…