Federal Government Contract Lawyers

Attorneys Helping You to Avoid Costly Implications for Government Crackdown on Contractors

 Call (866)601-5518 for a free consultation.

 Federal government contracting is more complex and demanding than in the traditional marketplace. You can be subject to many regulations, statutes and legal decisions. Although a very lucrative business venture, the risk of performing government contracts without legal counsel can sometimes result in adverse decisions that can cripple your company. Watson & Associates Government Contracts Practice Group offers a full-service practice with the breadth and experience required to effectively overcome costly mistakes and resolve your problems effectively.  The reality is that agencies take you more seriously when you are represented by attorneys that can speak their language. A critical approach to build trusting relationships with our clients is to provide them with concise answers, clear direction and sound advice. We are results oriented and have challenged adverse decisions by federal agencies. See recent success against the SBA.

 

 

In-depth Government Contract Services to Minimize Adverse Actions and to Assert Your Rights

Single point to resolve federal procurement problem: As you search for government contract lawyers, understand that this area of law can be very complex. What appears to be a simple issue can actual drive several clauses or underlying issues. Traditional corporate law attorneys may not always understand the unique areas of law that you face. As a result, our law firm focuses on presenting you with solutions that keep liability and risk low, minimizing adverse actions and creating an environment does not impact state laws and overall business operations. Our attorneys are assigned to unique areas to better help clients navigate through tough issues that include:

• Bid protests
• Civil litigation
• Inspector General (IG) audits and investigations
• Claims
• Defective pricing
• Ethics and contract compliance
• False claims
• International contracting
• Investigations
• Joint venture and teaming agreement documents
• Legislation and FAR guidance
• Privatization
• Requests for Equitable Adjustment
• Small Business Program matters
• GSA Schedules
• 8a Certification
• Suspension and debarment
• Contract management

 

 

Contractors Are Subjected to Increased Scrutiny

Congress has introduced legislation in an effort to keep the government from footing the bill for negligent contractors. This introduction of legislature would crack down on indemnification clauses that give financial immunity to contractors, and would place increased scrutiny on government contractors operating in war zones such as Iraq and Afghanistan.

The legislation looks to keep payouts to a minimum and requires the Pentagon to notify Congress when accepting liability on behalf of a contractor that exceeds $1 million. If a company is found guilty of negligence, the legislation proposes that it not be eligible to win another contract with an indemnification clause. These types of legislative bills create awareness for government contractors across the country. Read the CNN Article.

 

Legislative attorneys for contractors to repay the government can be crippling to any contractor. Given the current crackdown on federal contractors, businesses can find themselves in a tough situation. What appeared to be once a lucrative contract, can now turn into a situation, where you are defensing your company against the government’s sudden attack against you. The importance of having a government contracts attorney on your team cannot be overemphasized.  See recent U.S. Supreme Court decision article concerning the possibility of repaying the government $3billion. See also other relevant outcomes for our clients.

 

GAO 2011 Statistics Show Reduced Decisions on Bid Protests

While the number of protests has steadily increased over the past five years, the success rate for protesters in Fiscal Year 2011 was at its lowest during that time. GAO reported to Congress its Bid Protest Statistics for Fiscal Year 2011 on November 15, 2011 and it reflects a bit of a tougher year for protesters but no real significant changes from last year. However, while fewer protesters were successful, all federal agencies reported that they fully implemented the GAO recommendations in those sustained protests. At least 54% of cases filed were done with a government contracts lawyer. Although, this does not per se account for the declining GAO percentages, it shows the importance of getting legal advice. Federal procurement law is not a simple as it may sound.

 

Since government contracting issues can arise without notice, you should become proactive in your approach and gain the experience you need to adequately handle common issues. We can help you with simple or complex matters related to contract compliance, claims preparation and litigation, GAO bid protests, SBA size protests, government investigations, Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) guidance and contract terminations.

 

Aggressively representing and defending your rights:  As a small business or large corporation, we strive to aggressively seek prompt resolution to common agency mistakes and unfair adverse actions. Your business must continue to function while handling stressful situations.  The unfortunate reality is that agencies do in fact adopt common strategies to force you to concede and give up your rights. We are here to corner off and minimize these outcomes. For example, a commonly used tactic is to deny valid claims submitted by contractors, in hope that they will accept lower settlements. The law prohibits this practice and our law firm will help you to overcome these hurdles. Some of our practice group members have been on the other side.  This undoubtedly strengthens our government contracting core capabilities.

 

Many government contract attorneys may not always understand your business: As a practical approach, you want to feel comfortable that federal procurement lawyers also understand your underlying business initiatives. This can be crucial to providing legal advice and possible solutions. Our federal procurement practice group makes it a priority to first understand your specific business operations before giving advice. Our lawyers represent a diverse group of industries that include start-ups and FORTUNE 500 companies, both U.S. and international entities, government and private corporations, and both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. Our clients come to us from a variety of industries, including information technology, health-care, financial services, professional services, real estate, aerospace and defense, construction companies, engineering and manufacturers. Our lawyers represent many successful providers in the federal marketplace.

 

Get Concise Advice, Clear Direction and Honest Answers

Contractors want attorneys that can provide them with concise legal advice. Companies must make decisions based upon such advice. Therefore, our professionals make it priority to provide opinions based upon current case law and analyzing your probability of success in the event of litigation.

Attorneys that are not afraid to be aggressive if amicable resolution is not possible. Effective legal representation actually focuses on a lawyer’s ability to resolve matters without costly litigation. However, for example, if the agency does not want to participate in amicable resolution, contractors can be secured in knowing that their attorneys can posture for aggressive litigation if necessary. This is our approach to representation.

 

Effective Legal Counsel for Businesses and Government Contractors

Large corporations have inside counsel who are familiar with the operations of the company. Traditional business law and state experience does not fully complement the problems associated with federal procurement law. Our contract attorneys fill the gap by distinguishing commercial practices and applying federal procurement law and authority. This is the only viable method to accomplish results with a government contracting issue. Our dedicated lawyers will become familiar with your operation in order to provide you with efficient legal representation.

 

How Can You Prepare Yourself for Increased Scrutiny in Government Contracting?

The government is cracking down on contractor accountability. The key is to adopt internal contracts and policies that address the critical liabilities in each government contract. Having a government contracts attorney does not always have to involve litigation. Regardless of the size of your project, you personnel must be trained; you must have internal procedures and practices in place. Failure to accomplish these basic tasks can leave you exposed to investigations, claims from the government against you, and possible suspension and debarment.

Watson & Associates is home to some of the most experienced government contracts lawyers in the country. We handle virtually all legal aspects of federal procurement. This includes claims, litigation, small business matters, terminations, and bid protests.

 

Prepare for Critical Issues that Can Arise

Claims Preparation and Litigation: Whether or not you are a small business of large corporation, you can now gain insight and immediate access to lawyers on all aspects of government contracts litigation, including preparation and pursuit of large, complex claims against the US government and defense against government claims. Our government attorneys represent clients in claims resulting from contract termination, breach of contract claims, scope of contract changes, defective pricing, cost disallowances, deficient performance, noncompliance with cost accounting standards, disputes and claims related to Multiple Award Schedule contracts, and many other disputes under the Contract Disputes Act of 1978. Our representation reaches several industries, including defense and aerospace, construction, electronics, financial services, professional services, information technology, health care, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices and equipment.

 

Bid Protests: As government contract law attorneys, we frequently represent small and large businesses in bid protests at the agency and GAO levels. If you are challenging contract awards or seeking intervention to retain awarded contracts, our government procurement lawyers can help with:

• Sole source contracts
• Task orders and IDIQ contracts
• Federal Supply Schedule contracts
• Competitive range determinations
• Meaningful discussions
• Organizational Conflicts of Interest
• Past performance evaluations
• Disparate treatment and consistent evaluations
• Best value determinations and cost-technical trade-offs

 

Small Business Programs: Watson & Associates government contract law attorneys help clients take advantage of small business programs administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Our attorneys possess extensive experience in counseling on the risks and opportunities that the SBA’s regulations and programs present for both small businesses and large firms. including those related to the affiliation rules, small business subcontracting plans, the North American Industry Classification System codes and size standards, the Small Business Innovation Research and Mentor-Protégé joint venture, and the small business set-aside, HUBZone, SBA 8a certification, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business contracting. Our attorneys have extensive experience handling small business appeals before the SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals (SBAOHA).

 

Nationwide and Overseas Representation 

Federal law allows our government contract lawyers to represent clients regardless of their resident state. Watson & Associates can represent businesses in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington, DC, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. 

Our U.S. firm also helps DOD contractors in Afghanistan and Iraq construction efforts. 

Cities in which we practice include Anchorage, AK; Atlanta, GA; Austin, TX; Chicago, IL; Colorado Springs, CO; Dallas, TX; Denver, Colorado; Indianapolis, IN; Las Vegas, NV; Los Angeles, CA; Miami, FL; Philadelphia, PA; San Antonio, TX; San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; San Jose, CA; Santa Clara, CA; and Tampa, FL.

 

Contact Us 

If you seek a prompt and cost-effective resolution to a federal procurement matter, contact our government contracts attorneys today for a free confidential consultation. Call toll free (866) 601-5518.