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 Reopens as Trump Signs Bill to End Nation’s Longest Shutdown, The New York Times
The federal government began reopening Wednesday night after President Trump signed into law a spending package that narrowly passed the House, ending the longest shutdown in the nation’s history. Read more here.
Warfighting at Warp Speed: Why Defense Contractors Must Track the Department of War’s Acquisition Overhaul, PilieroMazza Client Alert, Lauren Brier, Josie Farinelli, Adel Mansour
The Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced on November 7, 2025, that the U.S. Department of War (DOW) is dropping a game-changing memo: “Transforming the Warfighting Acquisition System to Accelerate Fielding of Capabilities.” This bold blueprint reimagines how defense capabilities are delivered—with speed, agility, and results at the forefront. But with rapid transformation comes turbulence. While the newly branded Warfighting Acquisition System promises thrilling opportunities, it also introduces uncertainty. Defense contractors should stay sharp and informed. Understanding how DOW plans to fast-track contract delivery will be key to thriving in this evolving landscape. Read more here.
Overcoming the Compliance Minefield of Cost-Reimbursement Contracts, Part 3: Ready, Set, Comply! Build Indirect Rates That Stand Up to DCAA Scrutiny, PilieroMazza Webinar Replay, Isaias “Cy” Alba, IV
Indirect rates are a critical component of government contract pricing—and a common focus of DCAA audits. In this last installment of our webinar series, we’ll guide you through the different acceptable indirect rate structures that are acceptable under the FAR Subpart 31.2 cost principles and with DCAA. We’ll also answer the age-old question: “What is the difference between overhead and G&A?” Click here to view the recorded session.
Maximizing Recovery: Tactics for Stop Work REAs and Termination Proposals, PilieroMazza Webinar Replay, Lauren Brier
Executive orders have led to an increase in stop-work orders and terminations for convenience, creating significant challenges for government contractors. Understanding how to navigate these changes and optimize recovery is crucial for maintaining stability and compliance. In these uncertain times, not having a clear action plan can lead to greater financial risk and missed recovery opportunities. Join PilieroMazza’s Lauren Brier as she provides valuable insights and strategies for handling these disruptions. Understanding your rights and the right steps to take can mean the difference between minimizing losses or facing even greater costs. Click here to view the recorded session.
Executive Order (EO): Modifying Reciprocal Tariff Rates Consistent with the Economic and Trade Arrangement Between the United States and the People’s Republic of China
On November 4, President Trump issued an EO continuing the suspension of heightened reciprocal tariffs on Chinese imports until November 10, 2026, following an agreement with President Xi Jinping. China agreed to eliminate export controls, reduce measures against U.S. industries, and increase purchases of American agricultural products. In return, the U.S. maintains reduced tariffs. The order emphasizes the deal’s role in addressing national security concerns, reducing the trade deficit, and strengthening key sectors of the U.S. economy. The EO also outlines monitoring responsibilities for federal agencies and allows for future adjustments if China fails to uphold its commitments. Read more here.
Civilian Spending Down 74% Amid Shutdown, Cuts: BGOV Contracting, Bloomberg Government
A month of lapsed funding for federal agencies has led to a 74% decline in nondefense contract spending compared to the same time last year, according to Bloomberg Government data and analysis. Read more here (subscription required).
Upcoming Government Contract Presentations
TRAINING: Understanding and Avoiding Affiliation for Small Business Government Contractors, December 2, 2025, Daniel Figuenick, III, Nathan Jahnigen
TRAINING: Joint Venture and Mentor-Protégé Bidding Strategies, December 4, 2025, Peter B. Ford, Meghan F. Leemon
CONFERENCE: Simplifying REAs in the DOD Contracts, December 4, 2025, Isaias “Cy” Alba, IV
WEBINAR: Government Contractors and Tariff Challenges: Strategies for Success, December 12, 2025, Jacqueline K. Unger
WEBINAR: Small Business Contracting & Subcontracting, December 16, 2025, Meghan F. Leemon
Feds Told Shutdown Furloughs Extended to Late November, Federal News Network
Agencies are starting to tell the more than 700,000 federal employees who are furloughed during this now 31-day partial government shutdown that their time away will be extended another 30 days. Agencies are giving furloughed federal employees an inconsistent message about whether they will get retroactive pay once the shutdown ends. Read more here.
Shutdown Compounds a Year of Pain for Federal Contractors, Employees, Government Executive
As the government shutdown finishes week five and likely becomes the longest in history, Rep. James Walkinshaw, D-Va., said it is also important to remember what federal workers and contractors have already gone through. Rep. James Walkinshaw, D-Va., says the closure amplifies the billions in contract cancellations and workforce cuts. Read more here.
Unions Sue Over ‘Loyalty Question’ for Federal Jobseekers, Government Executive
A trio of federal employee unions on Thursday sued the Office of Personnel Management, seeking to excise essay questions recently added to most federal job applications that institute a “thinly veiled” political loyalty test and effectively upend the nonpartisan civil service. Earlier this year, the Office of Personnel Management added a series of essay questions to the federal hiring process, including one that asked jobseekers about their favorite Trump executive order or policy priority. Read more here.
Lawsuit Offers New Details of VA’s Anti-Union EO Implementation, Government Executive
According to a legal challenge from AFGE’s National Veterans Affairs Council, VA Secretary Doug Collins failed to implement President Trump’s executive orders aimed at ousting unions from most federal agencies when he issued exemptions to a handful of unions that had not challenged the administration in court. Read more here.
‘Cautious’ Optimism Follows Top Warship Builder’s Productivity, Workforce Wins, Defense One
The country’s largest builder of warships is keeping more of its shipyard workers after boosting wages and hiring better-qualified recruits, said HII CEO Chris Kastner on Thursday. For HII, higher wages attracted seasoned shipyard workers and boosted retention. Read more here.
Companies to Publicly Report AI Job Loss Under Bipartisan Bill, Bloomberg Government
Major companies and federal agencies would have to publicly report job impacts related to artificial intelligence under new bipartisan legislation introduced Wednesday. Republicans and Democrats have raised concerns about worker protections and the future of the workplace as AI seeps into everyday life — transforming industries from health care to finance and education as employers adopt the emerging technology to boost productivity and efficiency. The bill aims to provide clarity and transparency around AI-related job loss by requiring that data be publicly available. Read more here (subscription required).
Upcoming Labor & Employment Presentations
CONFERENCE: Unpacking and Seizing Opportunity in Changes to Labor and Employment, November 20, 2025, Nichole D. Atallah
TRAINING: Labor Rules & Regulations: Federal Market Compliance, December 10, 2025, Sarah L. Nash
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & TECHNOLOGY RIGHTS
FAR Part 27 Overhaul: Key Changes to Intellectual Property in Federal Contracting, PilieroMazza Blog, Isaias “Cy” Alba, IV, Jacqueline K. Unger, Joseph P. Loman
As part of the broader Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO), Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 27, which addresses patents, data, and copyrights was revised. While most changes were driven by the need for plain language, greater clarity, improved readability, and streamlined procedures, a few notable changes were introduced that will impact the treatment of intellectual property in federal government contracting. Read more here.
5 Key Takeaways from Deltek’s CMMC November Compliance Webinar, GovCon Wire
The big day for the Defense Department’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification 2.0 effort is almost here. Specifically, that’s Nov. 10, when contracting officers can start inserting stringent cybersecurity requirements into DOD contracts. Read more here.
###