DOT Ends Race- and Sex-Based Presumptions of Disadvantage in DBE and ACDBE Programs
On September 30, 2025, the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a major change to the eligibility criteria for its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concessions DBE (ACDBE) Programs. Through an interim final rule (IFR) taking effect on October 3, 2025, DOT is removing the use of the race- and sex-based presumptions of social and economic disadvantage for establishing DBE and ACDBE eligibility. The IFR will have an immediate impact on all current DBE/ACDBE firms and future applicants as all firms will be required . . . Read More
Weekly Update for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses – October 2, 2025
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 Deepens Deal-Making Bench, Enhances Corporate/M&A Capabilities with New Partner Kristen Centre, PilieroMazza Announcement, Kristen Centre , Abigail “Abby” L. Baker PilieroMazza is pleased to announce that Kristen Centre joined the Firm as a Partner in our expanding Business & Transactions Group , further strengthening the Firm’s nationwide reach. Read more here . BID PROTESTS The Shutdown Lowdown for Bid Protests, PilieroMazza Client Alert, Jon Williams , Katherine B. Burrows , Eric Valle As . . . Read More
Shutdown Showdown: Impact on Federal Contract Disputes
What happens to your contract administration disputes—such as termination settlement proposals (TSPs), requests for equitable adjustment (REAs), claims, and appeals—pending before Contracting Officers (COs), the Boards of Contact Appeal (BCAs), and the Court of Federal Claims (COFC) when the federal government shuts down? This question is especially relevant to the present shutdown, given the amount of terminations federal contractors are dealing with due to the change in administration and shifting government priorities in 2025. This blog provides a quick rundown of how the . . . Read More
The Shutdown Lowdown for Bid Protests
NOTE: On October 6, 2025, we revised the ODRA section of the original client alert based on new guidance from ODRA. Please see below. As federal contractors begin to grapple with the first government shutdown in several years, many are wondering how the shutdown will impact bid protests. This client alert provides the lowdown for how the shutdown will impact new and existing bid protests. Government Accountability Office (GAO) GAO is closed due to the lapse in appropriations. Based on . . . Read More
Contracting Misstep Could be Costly: Court Clarifies Incorporation by Reference
A recent court decision delivers a stark warning to government contractors: failing to clearly include all the terms and conditions from your offer into the final contract could end up costing you. As this issue becomes increasingly common in federal contracting, the decision serves as a wake-up call for anyone drafting or negotiating government contracts. Background In Beacon Point Assocs., LLC v. Dep’t of Veterans Affairs, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit examined whether the contractor’s quote—including its . . . Read More
5 Actions Employers Should Address with Employees as the Government Shutdown Looms
At midnight September 30, the federal government will run out of funds and contractors will start receiving stop-work orders for all work deemed non-essential. At the time of publication, compromise in Congress looks unlikely, and a protracted shutdown likely. In order to minimize costly personnel missteps, federal government contractors should consider the action items listed below BEFORE the government shuts its doors. For more comprehensive information on considerations for government contractors during a shutdown, please read our client alert “ September 2025: Reducing the Negative Impacts of a Government Shutdown for Federal Contractors . . . Read More
PilieroMazza Deepens Deal-Making Bench, Enhances Corporate/M&A Capabilities with New Partner Kristen Centre
PilieroMazza is pleased to announce that Kristen Centre joined the Firm as a Partner in our expanding Business & Transactions Group , further strengthening the Firm’s nationwide reach. “Kristen’s diverse practice and strategic counsel make her a valuable asset to our clients and our firm. We are thrilled to welcome her to the PilieroMazza team,” said Abby Baker , Chair of the Business & Transactions Group. Kristen has significant experience advising private companies, founders and investors, private equity firms, and other capital providers in a wide range of corporate . . . Read More
Multijurisdictional Employers, Part 4: Marijuana and Other Drug Testing in the Workplace
Click here to view the recorded session. As marijuana laws continue to diverge at the state level—ranging from full legalization to nuanced medical use protections—multistate employers are increasingly challenged to reconcile conflicting obligations under federal and state law. This fourth installment of our “Multijurisdictional Employers” series will focus on the evolving legal landscape surrounding drug testing in the workplace, with particular emphasis on marijuana. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how to navigate this complex regulatory patchwork, mitigate litigation risk, . . . Read More
Weekly Update for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses – September 25, 2025
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 September 2025: Reducing the Negative Impacts of a Government Shutdown for Federal Contractors, PilieroMazza Client Alert, Jacqueline K. Unger , Nichole D. Atallah , Lauren Brier , Abigail “Abby” Finan The federal government is set to run out of funding on September 30. While Congress is working on a continuing resolution to extend current funding levels and avert a government shutdown, it . . . Read More
September 2025: Reducing the Negative Impacts of a Government Shutdown for Federal Contractors
The federal government is set to run out of funding on September 30. While Congress is working on a continuing resolution to extend current funding levels and avert a government shutdown, it is currently being reported that the stopgap funding may be blocked unless the continuing resolution includes certain terms, such as extending expiring Affordable Care Act health insurance subsidies. As we approach the possibility of another government shutdown, it’s crucial for government contractors to be prepared for the potential . . . Read More