13 CFR 125.8 SBA Joint Venture Agreement Lawyers

joint venture agreement and jV contracting lawyers Are you a small business or DOD defense contractor worried about procurement fraud or being investigated for SBA affiliation issues on small business joint venture relationships under 13 CFR § 125.8?

Are you confused about the limitations on a contractual joint venture agreement for a government contract?

We help joint venturers avoid some of the most costly legal mistakes, procurement fraud, SBA affiliation challenges, and exposure to False Claims Act criminal liability. 

Our team of joint venture lawyers is here to help you navigate the complex regulations surrounding SBA JV compliance under 13 CFR 125.8 and how you initiate and maintain the JV business relationship. We specialize in helping government contractors and small businesses avoid criminal liability for procurement fraud and stay on the right side of the law.

With our expertise, you can rest easy knowing you’re taking the necessary steps to protect your business and avoid costly legal battles. Our team has a proven track record of success in helping clients comply with SBA jJV agreement regulations and avoid the pitfalls of procurement fraud.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact our SBA joint venture agreement lawyers today to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced JV agreement lawyers and get the peace of mind you deserve.

Nationwide Representation In Government Small Business JV Contracting Matters

Watson & Associates, LLC, small business joint venture agreement lawyers, help small businesses throughout the United States to develop and comply with contracting relationships. Many of the arrangements fall within the purview of the SBA guidelines. More importantly, improper JV contracting relationships can lead to small business affiliation.

If an improper joint venture structure is formed or contractors do not follow the limitations on subcontracting rules, the results can be disastrous, and the contract can be taken away. Drafting, developing and complying with federal JV contracting regulations are issues to keep companies away from criminal liability. Our attorneys can help.

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Nationwide SBA Joint Venture Lawyers Services

As federal small business attorneys, our small business joint ventures attorneys help you to:

  • Draft JV contracting agreements tailored for your specific business;
  • Breach of contractual joint venture agreement and Legal Counsel
  • Draft a JV contract template that focuses on avoiding SBA affiliation;
  • Assess the risks of JV contract relationships;
  • Analyze the new rules for substantive adjustments to the business entity structure;
  • Interpret SBA regulations 13 CFR 125.8 and provide sound legal direction to participating companies;
  • Joint venture agreement for construction projects
  • SBA OHA Appeals involving teaming and JV relationships
  • Terminations for default
  • Government contract fraud with JV arrangements
  • Venture assets
  • SBA OIG and DOJ investigations involving SBA joint ventures
  • Due diligence and JV contract and accounting matters
  • Litigate disputes and allegations of affiliation, violation of the Ostensible Subcontractor Rule; and
  • Government Contracts Procedure and Appeal of adverse SBA decisions. See SBA Size Protests & Small Business Size Standard Appeals

What are the General Rules for Small Business Joint Ventures?

Under SBA regulations, a joint venture between an 8(a) participant and one or more other small businesses may compete for an 8(a) set-aside contract, so long that the JV contract complies with 13 CFR 124.513(c) and (d). See  also 13 CFR 121.103(h)(l)(i). Among other requirements, the small business joint venture must designate an 8(a) participant as its ““managing venturer”, responsible for “controlling the day-to-day management and administration of the contractual performance of the joint venture”. 13 CFR 124.513(c)(2).

Tip:  When state law stipulates that, unless a particular Manager or Managing Member is identified in an LLC’s operating agreement or articles of organization, all members are deemed to be managers of the LLC. The LLC operating agreement must appoint the small business as the managing member. Failure to take this important step can be ruled a violation of SBA regulations.  State law must be followed for LLC’s. See  13 CFR 124.513(c)(2).

Tip:  When the SBA approves your contractual joint venture agreement, it does not mean the SBA has issued a size determination.  Despite SBA’s approval of your JV. arrangement, your competition can still protest the JV contracting relationship based on affiliation. See 13 § 121.1001(a)(2) of this chapter. See § 124.517(b).

Get a Free Checklist of Tips for Entering JV Arrangements

Mistakes to Avoid with JV Contracts Structuring Under 13 CFR 125.8.

When entering into joint venture agreements under 13 CFR 125.8 for government contracts, small businesses must be mindful not to violate anti-trust laws or make other missteps that could jeopardize their eligibility for government contracts. Companies and small business joint venture structure formations must comply with the requisite workshares and should not make side contracts to avoid statutory compliance.

This can result in procurement fraud and violation of 13 CFR 125.8. Avoiding issues like these requires working with knowledgeable and experienced attorneys who can guide the process and ensure all applicable regulations are followed. Lastly, the specific language in the JV contracts regulations must be followed, or the companies can be deemed affiliated.

Avoid this mistake made by other firms

Size Appeal of Optimal GEO, Inc., SBA No. SIZ-6141 (2022) (SBA OHA Area Office found that the firm was other than small because the JV entity violated the “unlimited in two” rule by continuing to seek awards more than two years after the first award to the joint venture.

As government contracts and small business joint venture agreement lawyers, we help clients to create construction jv agreements on federal projects. The agreement typically consists of two corporate entities, the JV Contracting Entity and the Prime Contractor, each with statutory ownership in the JV entity. As joint venture counsel, we help ensure that small businesses comply with the limitations on subcontracting and procurement regulations to avoid affiliation and criminal liability.

SBA OHA’s ruling clarified that under the SBA’s 2020 amendments to its regulations, non-small business venturers under an MPA are allowed to participate in the decision of whether to initiate a lawsuit or settle litigation. Despite the rule that the small business venturer must control contract administration and performance, it is now allowed to require the consent of the large business venturer in corporate governance and general business decisions, “as is customary for participants to do.” This will assist joint venturers in drafting their contracts. 

The Agreement will provide details such as who is responsible for what part of the project, how profits or losses are shared, who has the authority to make decisions.

SBA JV Agreement Regulations 13 CFR 125.8 and 13 CFR 124.513

In addition to a legal agreement, it is also important for all parties to understand the government regulations that apply to JV businesses. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has specific rules and eligibility requirements for SBA joint ventures taking part in federal contract work, known as 13 CFR 125.8 and 13 CFR 124.513. These regulations are often complex and can be difficult to interpret , but they are essential for companies to abide by in order to be eligible.

Having a knowledgeable government JV contracts attorney is a great way to ensure that all parties involved understand the rules and regulations and the details of their agreement. A qualified attorney can help draft a contract that meets all legal requirements and provides clear guidance on how the venture will operate. They can also assist with dispute resolution and help negotiate any changes or modifications to the JV agreement. With their expertise and guidance, companies can feel confident that their JV will be successful.

Joint Ventures Attorneys  Cheryl Adams    Scott Lovelock     Theodore Watson

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Call Our SBA Joint Venture Lawyers

If your company is seeking to avoid liability when involved in contractual JV agreements and strategic alliances, needs help with due diligence and compliance with SBA JV contracting rules, or needs legal advice on building strategic alliances to acquire and perform government contracts, call our SBA small business joint venture agreement lawyer and JV contracts law firm at Watson & Associates, LLC. all 1-866-601-5518 for a free initial consultation.