Darian Kolev

Court Blocks Suspension and Termination of Foreign Aid Contracts: Key Takeaways for Government Contractors

In a landmark decision, Judge Ali has issued a preliminary injunction (PI) preventing the U.S. government from enforcing suspensions, stop-work orders, and terminations for foreign aid contracts issued between January 20 and February 13, 2025—the date on which Judge Ali issued a temporary restraining order in this case. The ruling is a major rebuke of the executive branch’s attempt to halt congressionally appropriated funds, reaffirming Congress’s constitutional spending authority. This ruling requires the government to resume payments and allow drawdowns for . . . Read More

Corporate Transparency Act, Part 9: Reporting Due March 21, 2025, No Penalties for Not Reporting (For Now)

On February 18, 2025, the final court order [1] blocking reporting under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) was lifted. Thus, the CTA’s reporting requirements are back in effect, and the new reporting deadline for most reporting companies is March 21, 2025; however, FinCEN has announced that no penalties or fines will currently be enforced for not reporting. Please visit this link to access Parts 1-8 in this series.  Although reporting requirements are back in effect, penalties and fines will not be enforced for . . . Read More

Guilty Until Proven Innocent: Key Takeaways from the Recent Final Rule on the FAR’s Suspension and Debarment Procedures

In a recent Final Rule (Rule) made effective January 17, 2025, the Federal Acquisition Regulation’s (FAR) suspension and debarment procedures were revised to be more consistent with the procedures in 2 CFR part 180 applicable to nonprocurement transactions such as grants, cooperative agreements, and loans. Below is background on the FAR’s suspension and debarment procedures and key takeaways from the Rule. Background Federal contracts may only be awarded to “responsible prospective contractors.” In other words, contractors must be presently responsible to do . . . Read More

DEI Executive Orders Partially Blocked: What’s In and What’s Out, For Now . . .

On February 21, 2025, a federal court [1] preliminarily blocked the Trump administration from enforcing key provisions of the recent executive orders (EOs) to eliminate “illegal” diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and initiatives from the federal government and federal contractors. The court found the provisions to be unconstitutionally vague and likely to infringe on free speech. This PilieroMazza  client alert outlines the current status of the EOs and potential impacts on federal contractors. EOs 14151 and 14173 , issued by the Trump administration . . . Read More

Federal Judge Orders USAID and Foreign Aid Funding to be Restored

On January 20, 2025, the President issued Executive Order Number 14169 (Executive Order), which imposed a 90-day pause on new obligations and disbursements of development assistance funds to foreign countries and implementing non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and contractors pending reviews of such programs. Similarly, in furtherance of the Executive Order, on January 24, 2025, the Secretary of State issued a Memorandum ordering a pause on all new obligations of foreign assistance funding pending an 85-day review of United States foreign assistance programs. The Secretary additionally . . . Read More

Federal Judge Clarifies Scope of TRO Enjoining Federal Spending Freeze

As we recently outlined , on January 31, 2025, U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) that blocks the federal funding freeze outlined in the now-rescinded January 27, 2025, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) directive (Directive).  In the Order, the Court ruled that the Defendants (including the President, OMB, and numerous federal agencies) are prohibited from reissuing, adopting, implementing, or otherwise giving effect to the OMB Directive under any other name or title or through any other . . . Read More

Key Executive Orders Passed by President Trump and Their Implications for Government Contractors

Since President Trump took office a little over ten days ago, he has issued a flurry of Executive Orders (EO) aiming to further his policy objectives and rescind certain policies set by the Biden Administration. Many of these EOs affect government contractors working on federal contracts, as well as contractors working on state and local projects that receive federal assistance. On February 12, 2025, PilieroMazza will host a webinar addressing these Executive Orders in-depth and provide cost recovery strategies for . . . Read More

Weekly Update for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses – January 31, 2025

If you have questions concerning the content below, please visit this link . Upcoming Events: Register to attend PilieroMazza’s upcoming events  here . Recent Thought Leadership: Check out PilieroMazza’s recent client alerts and blogs  here . Podcasts: Listen to PilieroMazza’s podcasts GovCon Live!  here , Clocking in with PilieroMazza  here , and Ex Rel. Radio here .   GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS Trump’s Executive Order on IIJA and IRA Contracts: Maximizing Cost Recovery for Government Contractors, PilieroMazza Client Alert, Jessica A. duHoffmannLauren BrierJacqueline K. Unger , Aaron A. Kor On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order . . . Read More

Trump’s Executive Order Shuts Down Federal DEI Programs: Key Steps for Federal Contractors to Improve Cost Recovery

On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed the executive order, Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing ( DEI Executive Order ), putting an end to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within the federal government. Given the DEI Executive Order and the potential impact it may have on current federal contracts, PilieroMazza put together the following key steps for federal contractors who received and/or expect to receive termination-related directives from their customers, as well as ways to improve their ability to . . . Read More

Weekly Update for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses – January 23, 2025

If you have questions concerning the content below, please visit this link . Upcoming Events: Register to attend PilieroMazza’s upcoming events  here . Recent Thought Leadership: Check out PilieroMazza’s recent client alerts and blogs  here . Podcasts: Listen to PilieroMazza’s podcasts GovCon Live!  here , Clocking in with PilieroMazza  here , and Ex Rel. Radio here .   GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS   FY2025 NDAA: Significant Impacts on Small and Large Defense Contractors, PilieroMazza Blog, Lauren Brier The  Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025  (FY2025 NDAA), signed into law on December 23, 2024, has significant implications for defense acquisition and contracting. Each . . . Read More