DOD Releases Intellectual Property Guidebook: Key Insights for Defense Contractors, Part 2
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, . . . Read More
SBA Suspends 1,000 8(a) Firms for Not Submitting Data—Federal News Network Quotes PilieroMazza’s Meghan Leemon and Matt Feinberg
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
SBA Issues Suspension Notices to 8(a) Firms Following Data Call
On December 5, 2025, the Small Business Administration (SBA) issued a program-wide data call (Data Call) to all 8(a) Business Development Program (8(a) Program) participants seeking three years of financial and contractual records. The Data Call was designed to identify fraud, waste, and abuse in the 8(a) Program. Further to that stated goal, following the response deadline of January 19, 2026, SBA swiftly moved to take adverse action against 8(a) firms it deems non-compliant with the Data Call obligations. 8(a) . . . Read More
Weekly Update for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses – January 22, 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. _____________________________________________ MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS GovCon M&A and Recertification: What Small Business Contractors, Investors, and Private Equity Firms Need to Know, PilieroMazza Client Alert, Samuel S. Finnerty The Small Business Administration’s (SBA) size and recertification rules have always been central to government contracting. But recent regulatory changes, and where we now stand in mid-January 2026, mark a meaningful . . . Read More
No Interest, No Protest: The Critical Importance of Understanding the “Interested Party” Standard
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
The Rise of OTA in Defense Contracting, Part 5: Commercial Solutions Openings and NDAA FY26
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 . . . Read More
The GovCon M&A Playbook: GovCon M&A and Recertification: What Small Business Contractors, Investors, and Private Equity Firms Need to Know, Part 1
This Part 1 of The GovCon M&A Playbook, a series examining the unique regulatory, diligence, structuring, and post-closing challenges that arise when acquiring government contractors. In this installment, we focus on the SBA’s recertification framework and why government contractor acquisitions often require a different analysis than traditional M&A transactions. The Small Business Administration’s (SBA) size and recertification rules have always been central to government contracting. But recent regulatory changes, and where we now stand in mid-January 2026, mark a meaningful . . . Read More
PilieroMazza Partner Nichole Atallah Appointed to WIPP Board, Advancing Women-Owned Businesses in Government Contracting
PilieroMazza is pleased to announce that Partner Nichole Atallah was appointed to the Board of Directors of Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) for the 2026 term. WIPP is a national nonprofit organization focused on advancing women-owned businesses and strengthening their ability to compete, grow, and succeed in the highly regulated government contracting sector. Nichole’s appointment aligns with PilieroMazza’s commitment to helping clients achieve sustainable growth while maintaining compliance, managing risk, and controlling costs. WIPP President and CEO Angela Dingle shared, . . . Read More
Weekly Update for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses – January 15, 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. _____________________________________________ GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS Trump Signs Order Pressing Defense Firms to Cut Buybacks, Bloomberg Government President Donald Trump signed an executive order pressing defense contractors to spend less on stock buybacks and dividends while boosting investment in infrastructure and weapons production, according to a person familiar with the matter. Read more here (subscription required). Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Report: . . . Read More
Weekly Update for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses – January 8, 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. _____________________________________________ Happy New Year from PilieroMazza! PilieroMazza Promotes Eric Valle to Partner, Helping Government Contractors Navigate Compliance and Stay Competitive, PilieroMazza News PilieroMazza is proud to announce that Eric Valle was promoted to Partner in the Firm’s Government Contracts Group effective January 1, 2026. Eric’s promotion reflects his deep experience in government contracting law and his . . . Read More