On August 9, 2019, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released “U.S. Leadership in AI: A Plan for Federal Engagement in Developing Technical Standards and Related Tools” (the Plan) in response to Executive Order 13859 (EO), as reported on here. In accordance with the EO, the Plan outlines the following priorities for federal engagement: (1) ensure technical standards minimize vulnerability to attacks from malicious actors; (2) reflect federal priorities for…

Crowell & Moring is pleased to offer a no-cost review of common compliance issues that can drive down sales price or increase borrowing costs for emerging government contractors, as well as prevent purchasers from receiving full value for their investments.  Government contractors face a long road to sale, fundraising, and post-acquisition integration – these processes can be derailed easily by compliance missteps, recordkeeping problems, or a multitude of other issues that may not be top-of-mind…

Please join us on June 27, 2017 for a lunchtime panel discussion regarding “Government Contracts M&A in 2017: Challenges and Opportunities on the Horizon.” During this program, moderated by Peter Eyre,  a panel of industry, private equity, law firm, and government representatives will tackle key considerations for buyers and sellers to take into account when structuring and executing M&A transactions in the government contract marketplace, including: due diligence “hot spots” and effective risk management; specific considerations…

Crowell & Moring’s “Fastest 5 Minutes” is a biweekly podcast that provides a brief summary of significant government contracts legal and regulatory developments that no government contracts lawyer or executive should be without. This latest edition is hosted by Partner David Robbins and guest host, Counsel Addie Cliffe, and includes updates on the DFARS counterfeit parts rules, the HUBZone Program, the Federal Source Code Policy, and notable GAO decisions. Click below to listen via the…

On Thursday, August 11th, 2016 at 1 PM Eastern, join our Crowell & Moring attorneys for a webinar entitled: “An Intro to Export Controls, Economic and Trade Sanctions: Understanding and Addressing Risks and Challenges.” During this 90-minute webinar, our experts will clarify how US export control rules specifically affect contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, consultants and manufacturers engaged in the international marketplace. You’ll learn about current compliance responsibilities and requirements and how the efforts to reform export…

Earlier this week, the Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) announced a seismic shift in policy that opens VA Schedule 65 IB to covered drugs that do not comply with the Trade Agreements Act (19 U.S.C. §2501 et seq.) (“TAA”).  While the VA’s prior policy prohibited contractors from offering TAA non-compliant drugs from on  a Federal Supply Schedule (“FSS”) contract, the VA’s new policy requires “that all covered drugs, regardless of county of substantial transformation, be…

By notice published in the Federal Register, the U.S. Trade Representative has confirmed that New Zealand has acceded to the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement and thereby, effective August 12, 2015, has become a “designated country” under the Trade Agreements Act.  Accordingly, products and services from New Zealand are now eligible to be procured under all contracts subject to the TAA, including GSA Schedule contracts.…