GAO’s bid protest timeliness rules are strict. Even a strong protest can be dismissed if it is not filed within the deadline established by GAO regulations. In certain procurements, required debriefings can affect protest deadlines while voluntary debriefings or brief
Latest from The Federal Government Contracts & Procurement Blog
DOJ Continues Government Contractor Cybersecurity Crackdown: Honeywell’s $2M False Claims Act Settlement
Honeywell Aerospace Inc. (Honeywell) agreed to pay $2,042,518 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act (FCA) by failing to comply with cybersecurity requirements in a Department of Defense (DoD) contract. The settlement covers alleged noncompliance from April
Big Is Now Small?
The Small Business Administration (SBA) announced a new proposed rule on August 20, 2026 that will overhaul how it defines small businesses.[1] If finalized, the rule would be one of the most significant changes to size standards in over
Second Settlement Under the Civil Rights Fraud Initiative Highlights Increased False Claims Act Scrutiny of Federal Contractors’ DEI-Related Practices
On August 25, 2026, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced a $21.5 million civil False Claim Act (“FCA”) settlement with the large professional services (consulting) firm, Deloitte LLP (“Deloitte”).[1] The settlement, the second reached under the DOJ’s Civil Rights
Client Alert—CMMC Level 2 November Deadline Suspended Indefinitely
On July 13, 2026, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced the immediate suspension of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2 third-party assessment requirements, which were originally scheduled to come into effect on November 10, 2026. The announcement clarified
RFO Consolidation Limitations Do Not Apply to BPAs, Says GAO
Contractors tracking the government’s growing reliance on Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) and the rollout of the Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation Overhaul (RFO) should take note of Government Accountability Office (GAO) bid protest decisions interpreting the new rules.
A recent GAO
Late Is Late—Even When a Government Firewall Captures Your Proposal
In Rick Aviation, Inc. v. United States, the Court of Federal Claims (COFC) tackled a novel application of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) “late is late” rule. The question the court squared up against is what happens when an otherwise
It’s Official: RFO Enters Formal Rulemaking
The Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) finally has moved into formal rulemaking, and it comes with a few surprises. The FAR Council completed the first phase of the RFO in September 2025, publishing model deviations to the FAR that agencies then
Warp Speed Ahead: Agencies Move Quickly to Implement Anti-DEI Clause
Contractors have begun receiving modifications to existing contracts implementing the new DEI clause mandated by Executive Order 14398 “Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors.” Shortly after the executive order, the FAR Council issued a Memorandum[1] establishing a
Federal Circuit’s Decision Provides Clear Warning for Non-Intervening Awardees to Protect Their Rights
A recent decision by the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit provides clear guidance for contract awardees: violations of redaction requirements by protesters or other parties will not save a non-intervening awardee from its failure to protect its contract