A recent report by Bloomberg Government highlights a major shift in federal IT procurement: billions of dollars in work are moving from IT value-added resellers (ITVARs) and integrators to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) under new Department of Defense acquisition strategies. In the article, PilieroMazza Partner Isaias “Cy” Alba cautions that this trend could carry significant consequences for pricing, competition, and long-term government value. “Increased use of direct acquisition from OEMs shows a misunderstanding by the government of the role of IT VARs,” Alba told . . . Read More
For better or worse, artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the legal industry. The Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) recently decided Bramstedt Surgical Inc.[1] , dedicating three pages to warnings about penalties it could have imposed on the protester and protester’s counsel for incorrect citations. For those tracking GAO’s recent handling of protesters and lawyers who file documents that appear to be riddled with AI-hallucinated citations or legal arguments citing to cases that do not stand for the premise alluded to, the decision comes as . . . Read More
What is a contract claim? How do I handle an issue with the government’s administration of my contract? Who do I contact when a project falls behind schedule, but it wasn’t my fault? These are common and critical questions that come up for government contractors—especially over the past year, in light of the Trump Administration’s sweeping changes to the federal acquisition landscape, an unprecedented federal government shutdown, and uncertainty surrounding award funding. In the coming months, PilieroMazza ’s REAs, Claims, and Appeals Group will publish a . . . Read More
As of May 2024, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) had flagged nearly 38,000 already-forgiven Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans that it suspected borrowers were ineligible for. The SBA has and will continue to exercise its authority to claw-back funds from borrowers who it believes were ineligible. This is highlighted by its latest target, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. (PPFA), who is now under the gun to respond to thirty-eight different requests for information regarding its affiliates’ PPP loan eligibility. In . . . Read More
When commercial businesses and government contractors face complex construction challenges or high-stakes disputes, experience and strategy matter. PilieroMazza is proud to announce that Baltimore Magazine recognizes partners Jessica duHoffmann and Todd Reinecker among its Top Lawyers—highlighting the firm’s depth of talent and commitment to delivering results for business clients. Read more here . Jessica leads PilieroMazza’s Construction Group , where she helps clients in the construction industry lay the groundwork for success. From contract negotiation and compliance to dispute resolution, Jessica’s practical, results-driven counsel enables contractors, developers, . . . Read More
The Small Business Administration (SBA) confirmed it suspended more than 1,000 contractors this month from the 8(a) Business Development Program, a cornerstone of federal contracting for many small businesses and Native-owned enterprises. The agency said the action followed firms’ failure to submit required records during a program-wide audit. The suspensions represent about one-quarter of the roughly 4,300 companies participating in the 8(a) program, which provides contracting assistance to small businesses designated as socially and economically disadvantaged, including tribally owned enterprises, . . . Read More
When doing business with the Department of Defense (DOD), it is imperative that contractors protect their intellectual property (IP) and understand DOD’s data rights regime under the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS). Fortunately, the DOD released its Intellectual Property Guidebook (Guidebook) in May 2025, which gives contractors critical insight into how DOD handles IP and data rights in government contracts. This blog, the second in PilieroMazza’s series, takes a closer look at the Guidebook’s fundamental IP and data rights concepts, such . . . Read More
The Small Business Administration suspended more than 1,000 companies in the 8(a) program. SBA made the decision after it deemed those small businesses non-compliant with its financial data request from December. . . . Lawyers that represent small businesses say SBA issued the suspensions on Wednesday based on the fact that the 8(a) firms either failed to submit their responses on or before the January 19 deadline or submitted incomplete responses. “At least some firms that submitted complete data call . . . Read More
Last week, the Supreme Court declined to review Percipient.ai, Inc. v. United States, 153 F.4th 1226 (Fed. Cir. 2025), a high‑profile Federal Circuit decision that limits who may bring a protest at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (COFC). Percipient.ai invested years and untold legal fees in protesting and appealing COFC’s “interested party” standard, underscoring just how consequential meeting that definition is for government contractors seeking to challenge federal procurement decisions. In this blog, we explain why positioning your company . . . Read More
In the evolving landscape of government contracting, non-FAR-based procurements, including Other Transactions Authority (OTA), have become a focal point. A key element of President Trump’s April 9, 2025, Executive Order, “ Modernizing Defense Acquisitions and Spurring Innovation In the Defense Industrial Base ,” emphasized reforming the Department of War’s (DOW) acquisition process by prioritizing Commercial Solutions Openings (CSOs) and OTA. In November 2025, Secretary Hegseth’s memorandum, “ Transforming the Warfighting Acquisition System to Accelerate Fielding of Capabilities ,” highlighted that the Under Secretary of War for Acquisitions and Sustainment (USW(A&S)) would soon mandate the use of OTA, among other non-FAR-based procurements . . . Read More
