Many government contractors find themselves accepting unfavorable contract terms because they believe they have little room to negotiate. In a recent conversation with Hope Skibitsky on Unsolicited, a Namauu Technological & Industrial podcast, PilieroMazza’s Nichole Atallah discusses why contractors often lose bargaining power during negotiations—and, more importantly, how they can regain it. Nichole shares practical insights to help contractors identify where leverage may be lost early in the contracting process, avoid common negotiation pitfalls, and position themselves for stronger outcomes . . . Read More
On June 17, 2026, the General Services Administration (GSA) released a revised version of proposed General Services Administration Regulation (GSAR) clause 552.239–7001 on safeguarding Artificial Intelligence (AI) for public comment, responding to industry concerns regarding scope, applicability, and operational feasibility. The revised clause narrows its applicability to contractors using Large Language Model Artificial Intelligence Systems (LLMs) to process Government Data—but for contractors within its scope, compliance obligations are now far more detailed and enforceable. Below, we discuss key changes. Scope . . . Read More
Liquidated damages clauses are common in construction contracts and can create significant risk for contractors. They set a predetermined daily amount for late completion. Under common law and federal contract law, liquidated damages generally must reasonably estimate anticipated delay damages and cannot operate as a penalty. While they can create certainty, they can also threaten profitability if contractors fail to manage schedule risk. This blog highlights key benefits, risks, and practical considerations associated with liquidated damages clauses for construction contractors. . . . Read More
Click here to view the recorded session. Contracts are the foundation of every successful business relationship—but for many entrepreneurs, they can feel overwhelming, confusing, or easy to overlook. This webinar breaks down the essential elements of strong, effective contracts so you can confidently protect your business and avoid costly mistakes. Join PilieroMazza’s Kristen Centre as she helps you take control of your business agreements and build a stronger, more secure foundation for growth. Learning objectives: the key contracts entrepreneurs should have in their legal . . . Read More
The Weekly Update recaps recent legislative and regulatory updates affecting government contractors and commercial businesses. If you have questions concerning this content, please email marketing@pilieromazza.com. _____________________________________________ GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS Executive Order (EO): Promoting Efficiency, Accountability, and Performance in Federal Contracting On April 30, the President issued an EO establishing the Administration’s policy that fixed-price contracts with performance-based considerations serve as the default and preferred method of procurement to advance cost predictability and budget discipline, appropriate contractor incentives and accountability, and streamlined procurement and . . . Read More
Click here to view the recorded session. On March 26, 2026, the Trump Administration issued a sweeping Executive Order targeting DEI policies, alongside DOJ’s plan to use the False Claims Act (FCA) to challenge such practices. The result: heightened scrutiny, required policy and subcontract changes, and real exposure to penalties—including contract termination. Watch our webinar to learn what this means for your business and the practical steps you should take now to stay compliant and protect your contracts. Learning objectives: . . . Read More
Click here to view the recorded session. The Contract Disputes Act (CDA) provides the framework governing contract disputes between contractors and the government. Understanding the claims process is vital to better position contractors before moving forward into potential traps for the unwary. Join PilieroMazza’s Josie Farinelli, Abby Finan, and Kelly Kirchgasser as they break down the essentials of REAs, claims, and appeals, walking through the most common sources of disputes and the financial fundamentals every government contractor should understand. This webinar is designed to help . . . Read More
GovCon Co., a successful government contractor, receives an email from the billing or accounting representative of a trusted subcontractor, Service Corporation, asking for payment of an outstanding invoice for $400,000, stating: “Please note our new bank account information in your system for any current and future wire transfers.” The email includes the Service Corporation logo and the name of the company representative with whom GovCon Co. normally deals. Everything seems to be in line with typical practices. However, the accounts . . . Read More
Earlier this year, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced it amassed a record $6.8 Billion in fraud and False Claims Act (FCA) recoveries in Fiscal Year 2025. New FCA matters also increased substantially, driven in large part by a significant rise in suits brought by whistleblowers. As part of DOJ’s and whistleblowers’ relentless focus on pursuing claims of fraud committed against the federal government, construction contractors have come under heightened scrutiny. Recently, two Ohio asphalt companies paid a combined $30 . . . Read More
Earlier this month, the U.S. Navy announced a significant overhaul of its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, with a renewed emphasis on speed, efficiency, and commercialization. The changes are intended to accelerate how quickly innovative technologies move from concept to deployment, which is unsurprising given the U.S. Department of War’s (DOW) focus on speed and supporting the warfighter. As these reforms begin to take shape, small business contractors should make efforts to assess . . . Read More
