The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on August 25 that Deloitte has agreed to pay $21.5 million to resolve allegations that certain diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices discriminated against employees and applicants based on race or sex and
GovCon & Trade
The GovCon & Trade blog, published by Bass, Berry & Sims PLC, focuses on legal developments and regulatory issues related to government contracting and international trade. It covers topics such as compliance with federal, state, and local government procurement regulations, foreign ownership and control assessments in defense contracting, sanctions enforcement including OFAC penalties, export controls and trade restrictions, and joint venture eligibility under small business programs. The blog provides updates on legislative and regulatory changes affecting contractors and businesses engaged in government contracts and global trade, including insights on mitigating risks and navigating complex legal frameworks in these areas.
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BIS Settlement Highlights Export Control Risks for Medical and Research Technology
On August 14, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced a settlement with Plexon, Inc., a Texas neuroscience technology company. BIS asserts that Plexon exported neural recording systems to a restricted Chinese research institution without…
OFAC Settlement Highlights Iran Sanctions Risks for Non-U.S. Subsidiaries of U.S. Companies
On August 12, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced a $60,764 settlement with Rice Lake Weighing Systems (Rice Lake), a Wisconsin-based manufacturer of scales and other weight measuring equipment, to address apparent violations…
SBA Finalizes New Social Disadvantage Standard for 8(a) Program
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has finalized a significant change to how small businesses establish social disadvantage for purposes of the 8(a) Business Development Program. Effective September 10, 2026, SBA will eliminate the longstanding regulatory presumption that members of…
OFAC Launches Reconsideration Portal to Streamline Delisting Petitions
On June 29, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) launched an online Reconsideration Portal for requests to remove persons or property from OFAC sanctions lists, including the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN)…
DOJ Issues First Corporate Enforcement Policy Declination: Lessons from Bosch’s FDPR Export Control Resolution
On June 17, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) National Security Division (NSD) announced its first declination under the Department-wide Corporate Enforcement and Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy (CEP), declining to prosecute Robert Bosch GmbH (Bosch) for potential criminal violations of the…
Procurement Fraud Enforcement Trends Continue Into 2026
FinCEN Proposed Rulemaking: Significant Revisions Centered on Risk, Effectiveness, and Supervisory Consistency
On April 7, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued a Press Release describing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would significantly reshape anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) program requirements across…
Clarified Standard for Challenging CICA Stay Overrides
On April 15, the Federal Circuit issued a decision clarifying the burden a protestor must meet when challenging an agency’s override of the Competition in Contracting Act’s (CICA) automatic stay of performance. In Life Science Logistics, LLC v. United States…
SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Brings New Opportunities and New Diligence Expectations
After a brief lapse, Congress has reauthorized the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs through Fiscal Year 2031. President Trump signed the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act, S. 3971, into law on April…
