Clocking in with PilieroMazza: OFCCP Targets Illegal DEI: What Contractors Need to Know
A True Path to Making America Great: Supporting Small Businesses and the Rule of Two
Recently, there has been a good deal of speculation about whether the so-called “Rule of Two” will continue to exist after the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) overhaul that is currently ongoing. Specifically, whether FAR Part 19 will continue to have such a rule, given it is not expressly stated in the Small Business Act (the Act) (but it is certainly intimated that such a rule is the best way to ensure that the statutory small business goals are met). However, . . . Read More
How the Boards of Contract Appeals Work—And Why It Matters for Your Bottom Line, Part 3
Generally, government contractors proceeding towards a Board of Contract Appeals (BCA) decision are wise to take the safe, traditional route. While it can be a long and winding road—engaging in pleadings, discovery, a hearing, and a decision—this process presents the least risk of getting lost. For risk-averse contractors whose priority is having their legal issues fully investigated, considered, and addressed by the BCAs, this is often the best strategy. However, in certain situations—e.g., when the parties urgently need the BCA’s . . . Read More
Weekly Update for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses – July 17, 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 UPDATE: Let Your Voice be Heard: Congress Wants to Hear from Small Business Government Contractors, PilieroMazza Client Alert, Antonio R. Franco , Isaias “Cy” Alba, IV , Jacqueline K. Unger , Kristine “Krissy” Crallé The House Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure hearing titled “Leveling the Playing Field: Fostering Opportunities for Small Business Contractors,” originally scheduled for July 8 to address key issues impacting small business government contractors, was . . . Read More
GSA MAS Refresh #27: Mandatory Transactional Data Reporting and Other Key Changes
On June 26, 2025, the General Services Administration (GSA) released MAS Refresh #27 —the latest GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) solicitation update and mass modification. Among other changes, Refresh #27 significantly expands the use of Transactional Data Reporting (TDR), making it mandatory for contracts containing one of the 177 TDR-eligible Special Item Numbers (SINs). Further, GSA intends to make TDR mandatory for all MAS contracts in an upcoming refresh anticipated in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. This move marks a major expansion of GSA’s . . . Read More
UPDATE: Let Your Voice be Heard: Congress Wants to Hear from Small Business Government Contractors
The House Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure hearing titled “Leveling the Playing Field: Fostering Opportunities for Small Business Contractors,” originally scheduled for July 8 to address key issues impacting small business government contractors, was postponed. A new date has not been confirmed. It is anticipated that the hearing may be rescheduled for some time in September. Please visit this link for our original client alert. In the meantime, PilieroMazza encourages stakeholders to still submit letters. Sharing your experiences now will . . . Read More
2025 Newly Increased Health and Welfare Rates on SCA Government Contracts
The Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has again issued new Service Contract Act (SCA) health and welfare (H&W) rates. Effective July 7, 2025, WHD increased the prevailing H&W fringe benefits from a rate of $5.36 per hour to $5.55 per hour. Where a contractor is obligated to comply with Executive Order (EO) 13706 sick leave obligations, the rates increased from $4.93 per hour to $5.09 per hour. Updated rates of $2.42 per hour (without the EO) . . . Read More
The CPAR Trap: What SLSCO Teaches Contractors About Challenging Performance Ratings
Contractor Performance Assessment Reports (CPARs) are a critical currency in the world of government contracting—shaping future awards, past‐performance evaluations, and a contractor’s reputation. Positive assessments can help contractors secure future work with the government, while even a single marginal or unsatisfactory rating can ripple across future procurements, damaging a contractor’s competitive standing for years. When a contractor receives a negative CPAR, it must act quickly to correct issues with the ratings and recommendations before government customers rely on the negative . . . Read More
DOJ Uses FCA to Target DEI Policies and Antisemitism: The Impact on Government Contractors
Click here to view the recorded session. In the wake of Executive Order 14173, federal contractors face heightened scrutiny of their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The EO requires contractors to certify that DEI programs comply with federal anti-discrimination laws. Now, the Justice Department has announced it will use the False Claims Act (FCA) as an enforcement tool to target companies that maintain DEI programs in violation of the EO and current Administration policies. The announcement may substantially impact the . . . Read More
Weekly Update for Government Contractors and Commercial Businesses – July 10, 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 SBA Orders Full-Scale Audit of 8(a) Program: What You Should Do to Prepare, PilieroMazza Client Alert, Jon Williams , Meghan F. Leemon The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recently announced an “immediate and full-scale audit” of its 8(a) business development program. The announcement stems from a “years-long fraud and bribery scheme involving a former federal contracting officer and two 8(a) contractors,” . . . Read More