Top 10 Killer Construction Contract Clauses, Part 4: Retainage Provisions
Retainage is a contractual practice that is unique to the construction industry. Most construction contracts entitle project owners as well as lower-tiers to withhold a percentage of each progress payment to contractors or subcontractors until the contracted work is substantially or finally completed. Retainage ensures that contracted work is completed properly, incentivizes timely completion of the work, and provides financial leverage attendant with defects in construction. While contracts largely govern the specific terms as to how much retainage will be . . . Read More
OFCCP Again in the Crossfire: Impact on Federal Government Contractors
On March 2, 2026, the Director of Office of Federal Contractor Compliance Programs (OFCCP) informed OFCCP staff that the agency would be undergoing a complete reorganization and restructuring, moving various staff members to a new branch and consolidating other divisions. All affected positions will likely see updates to job descriptions that reflect the reorganization. Additional details regarding to which branches or divisions OFCCP staff will be moved is not yet known. In light of these changes, employers with ongoing OFCCP . . . Read More
PilieroMazza Annual Review: FCA Enforcement and Compliance Updates for Government Contractors—What to Watch in 2026
Click here to view the recorded session. DOJ continues to aggressively deploy the False Claims Act (FCA) as an enforcement tool, with a record-breaking $6.8 Billion in settlements and judgments in FY2025—the highest annual total in FCA history. DOJ also saw a record 1,297 qui tam filings and hundreds of new government-initiated investigations, signaling continued risk across procurement, cybersecurity, tariffs, and beyond. Join Jackie Unger and Todd Reinecker of PilieroMazza’s False Claims Act and Audits & Investigations teams for a practical discussion on recent enforcement activity and mitigation tactics designed to . . . Read More
Workforce Reclassified: Understanding DOL’s “New” Independent Contractor Classification Rule
On February 26, 2026, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced a long-awaited proposed rule— again adjusting how the DOL views the appropriate classification of workers as “employees” or “independent contractors” under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Consequences of worker misclassification can be significant not only for wages and benefits but for various employment protections, for example the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Therefore, employers should be aware of changes to the independent contractor rule and evaluate their policies . . . Read More
Contract Claims 101: Common Disputes and How to Best Prepare for Them
Last month, PilieroMazza ’s REAs, Claims, and Appeals Group published the first blog in its “Contract Claims 101” series, introducing federal contractors to the basics of requests for equitable adjustment (REAs), claims, and appeals. This month, we’re analyzing the broad categories of contract administration disputes we expect to form the basis of federal contractors’ REAs, claims and appeals in 2026. In this second blog, we introduce federal contractors to disputes regarding stop work orders, terminations, and Contractor Performance Assessment Reports (CPARs), and how best to prepare at the . . . Read More
Buying or Selling: Navigating the New Landscape of 8(a) M&A Transactions
Click here to view the recorded session. Buying or selling a government contracting business remains a nuanced process—especially when 8(a) contracts are involved. Recent updates to SBA guidance, increased scrutiny post-Ultima, and heightened compliance expectations added new layers of complexity to transactions involving 8(a) companies. Whether you’re a current 8(a) participant, a recent graduate, or a buyer interested in acquiring such a business, it’s critical to understand how these developments affect ownership transfers, eligibility, and long-term contract value. Join us for . . . Read More
GovWin IQ: FAR Overhaul Prompts Compliance Uncertainty for Contractors, Says Sam Finnerty
The so-called “Revolutionary FAR Overhaul” (RFO), launched after the issue of Executive Order 14275 (Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement) in April 2025, is the most sweeping rewrite of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) in its 40-year history. The long-term intent of the RFO is to simplify and streamline federal procurement, but certain concerns raised by FAR legal experts raise the question if its rollout is actively generating compliance risk for contractors. . . . Rather than follow a traditional . . . Read More
Weekly Update for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses – February 26, 2026
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 . _____________________________________________ PilieroMazza Earns Top Ranking for Government Contracting Thought Leadership in 2026 JD Supra Readers’ Choice Awards, PilieroMazza News PilieroMazza is proud to announce that the Firm was named Top Government Contracting Firm in the 2026 JD Supra Readers’ Choice Awards , recognizing leading firms and authors for thought leadership and reader engagement throughout 2025. In addition to the firmwide honor, Jackie Unger earned individual recognition as #1 in Government Contracts , . . . Read More
PilieroMazza Earns Top Ranking for Government Contracting Thought Leadership in 2026 JD Supra Readers’ Choice Awards
PilieroMazza is proud to announce that the Firm was named Top Government Contracting Firm in the 2026 JD Supra Readers’ Choice Awards , recognizing leading firms and authors for thought leadership and reader engagement throughout 2025. In addition to the firmwide honor, Jackie Unger earned individual recognition as #1 in Government Contracts , and Isaias “Cy” Alba took the #2 spot on the list. JD Supra’s Readers’ Choice Awards recognize top authors and firms based on visibility and engagement among C-suite executives, in-house counsel, media, and other professionals across the JD Supra platform. In 2026, JD Supra evaluated over 70,000 . . . Read More
Unlocking New Contracting Opportunities with the U.S. Coast Guard
It’s been a year since the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) launched its Force Design 2028 (FD28) initiative to enhance agility, capability, and responsiveness. FD28 is off to a roaring start, considering the USCG already spent over $7 Billion of the $25 Billion investment from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act . With lofty goals and a historic influx of funding to support the largest overhaul of the service since World War II, FD28 offers numerous contracting opportunities for small businesses. This blog provides an overview of USCG contracting and highlights key USCG initiatives that all . . . Read More