In the existing government contracting climate, government contractors must navigate and comply with a web of complex rules, regulations and statutes. Klinedinst’s Government Contracts Practice Group offers a full service Government Contracts practice with the experience and knowledge required to effectively and efficiently help the client to navigate the ever-changing landscape of government contracting laws at the federal and local levels.
We offer our government contracting clients a variety of legal assistance ranging from bid protests and claims litigation, to business strategy counseling, mergers and acquisitions and compliance consulting. As diverse as our service offerings are, so too are the types of government contracting clients that we represent. We represent start-ups, middle market privately held companies as well as large public entities. Our clients come to us from a variety of different industries including professional services, information technology, healthcare, life sciences and aerospace and defense.
Our capabilities include:
Bid Protests
Our attorneys have successfully initiated and defended bid protests involving all aspects of pre-award and post-award challenges, including cases involving disparate treatment, unstated evaluation criteria and organizational conflicts of interest involving telecommunications, professional services and defense procurements before the Government Accountability Office and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, at the agency level and at the state level.
Business Advice
Government contractors are subject to numerous laws, regulations and executive orders about employment practices and corporate structure (especially small businesses participating in federal programs). Our attorneys assist clients with all aspects of the client’s business to ensure compliance with the laws applicable to the specific government contractor.
Contract Claims and Disputes
Our attorneys are experienced in the initiation and representation of government contract claims, including breach of contract, delays and related costs, pricing and scheduling disputes. We strive to obtain a prompt resolution and with this in mind, devise effective discovery and trial strategies. Klinedinst appears before the Board of Contract Appeals and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims as well as the state-level and have also represented clients with respect to Miller Act Bond Claims.
Counseling and Transactions
Our attorneys regularly counsel clients on a wide range of government contract and regulatory issues, including the Federal Acquisition Regulation and agency supplements, the Cost Accounting Standards, cybersecurity, mergers and acquisitions, small business and socio-economic programs, and intellectual property issues specific to government contractors.
In addition, our attorneys have significant experience in helping our government contracting clients with joint ventures, including joint ventures formed under the Mentor-Protégé Program under the Small Business Administration, as well as teaming arrangements.
Furthermore, our clients have approached us on numerous occasions for help in negotiating contracts and contract modifications with government agencies as well as for advice and drafting of subcontract agreements with larger federal contractors partnering up with small businesses.
Drafting Proposals and Responding to Solicitations
Our attorneys have the capabilities and experiences to effectively assist our government contracting clients in assessing and replying to solicitations to increase the chances of success. We routinely review client proposals, bids and estimates in a timely manner. Furthermore, our attorneys have helped our clients in drafting and effectuating compliance programs and refining the procurement policies and procedures.
Small Businesses
Our attorneys counsel small, minority-owned, service disabled veterans and women-owned businesses about the programs offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration, including the Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUB Zone) program. We help our government contracting clients in finding, applying for and using these beneficial programs for small businesses, and assist our larger government contracting clients in developing and negotiating the documents needed for a subcontracting or mentor/protégé relationships with a small business. In addition, our attorneys have experience preparing and defending size and status protests before the SBA.
Suspension and Debarment
Our attorneys have effectively assisted clients in avoiding a suspension or debarment. We have negotiated agreements to preclude debarment and worked with the agency and client to resolve the issue at hand. In addition, our attorneys have helped develop precautionary measures to assist the client in avoiding future issues with the government.