Publications Archives | Page 2 of 77

President Trump’s DEI Executive Orders Are Back On: What Contractors Need To Know

On March 14, the Fourth Circuit stayed a preliminary injunction that had prohibited President Trump’s administration and federal agencies from implementing Executive Orders 14151 and 14173 (“DEI Executive Orders”). This means the Trump administration can proceed with implementing the DEI Executive Orders pending ongoing litigation. In this blog, we discuss what federal contractors should take away from the Fourth Circuit’s order. Executive Orders 14173 and 14151 are the primary mechanisms President Trump has used to wind down certain Diversity, Equity, . . . Read More

GSA to Oversee Federal Purchasing: A Step Toward Efficiency or a Challenge for Agencies and Contractors?

Client Alerts 03.21.25

By: Samuel S. Finnerty

On March 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order to consolidate federal procurement under the General Services Administration (GSA). Framed as an effort to eliminate waste and save taxpayer dollars, the order mandates that federal agencies shift their purchasing of common goods and services to the GSA. While this move is being touted as a step toward efficiency, the reality may be far more complex for government contractors. What Does the Executive Order Require? The order mandates several major changes to . . . Read More

No More Minimum Wage Obligations Shifts Pricing Strategies for Service and Construction Contractors

Client Alerts 03.18.25

By: Sarah L. Nash, Nichole D. Atallah

On Friday, March 14, 2025, President Trump revoked Executive Order 14026, Increasing the Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors (EO). Government contractors in the service and construction sectors should evaluate how Trump’s decision to cancel the EO will impact their pricing strategies and outstanding price adjustment requests. Effective immediately, contractors are no longer bound by EO 14026’s minimum wage requirements. This means that most service and construction contractors may revert employee pay to the applicable wage determination rates under their contracts. . . . Read More

March 2025: Reducing the Negative Impacts of a Government Shutdown for Federal Contractors

Client Alerts 03.12.25

By: Jacqueline K. Unger, Nichole D. Atallah, Lauren Brier

On top of the uncertainty introduced through the Trump administration’s shifting priorities and rapid-fire executive orders, government contractors are now confronted with an impending shutdown as the federal government is set to run out of funding on March 14. Although the House of Representatives passed a six-month continuing resolution that would keep funding at current levels through the rest of the fiscal year (i.e., September 30), it remains to be seen whether the Senate has the votes to pass the . . . Read More

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

Client Alerts 03.11.25

By: Samuel S. Finnerty

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)

Client Alerts 03.10.25

By: Meghan F. Leemon, Abigail “Abby” L. Baker, Cole R. Fox

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

2nd Court Blocks Government Funding Freeze: 5 Takeaways for Contractors

Client Alerts 03.07.25

By: Samuel S. Finnerty

A second federal judge indefinitely blocked the Trump administration’s blanket freeze on appropriated and obligated federal funds for government contractors, reinforcing Congress’s authority over government spending. This decision directly impacts government contractors who rely on federal funding for projects and operations. Key Takeaways for Government Contractors Funding Pause Declared Unlawful The court ruled that the executive branch cannot impose a blanket freeze on congressionally appropriated funds. Judge McConnell wrote, “[t]he Executive put itself above Congress. It imposed a categorical mandate on . . . Read More