Foley hosted the 2007 Annual Update on Government Contracts seminar in Wisconsin this fall.
U.S. government procurement in fiscal year 2007 set another record, reportedly increasing to $425 billion, a 10-percent increase over 2006. Spending such large sums of money will likely continue even if U.S. troops leave Iraq, as the military repairs and replaces equipment consumed in the war, and the U.S. government continues to exploit new technologies in the war on terror.
Government procurement does not occur in a political vacuum. With last year’s change of control in Congress, numerous proposals on “acquisition reform” are under consideration. The promise of a spirited presidential campaign without an incumbent will set the scene for campaign promises to “fix” the problems of fraud, waste, and abuse by using taxpayer money wisely, getting “more bang for the buck,” and simultaneously fixing society’s ills. It presents a challenging and potentially rewarding time to be a government contractor.
This year’s seminar focused on both traditional and cutting-edge issues in government procurement.
Seminar Topics
Bid Protest Update
Recent Bid Protest Statistics
Critical Procedural Issues — Being TIMELY!
Significant Decisions of the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
Stopping Performance During the Protest
Protest Reform
U.S. Government Subcontracts — Special Consideration for Prime and Subcontractors
Unique Features of Government Subcontracts
Flowing Down Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Clauses
The Prime Contractor’s View
The Subcontractor’s View
Improving Your Subcontracts
The Contract Disputes Act of 1978
What Is a “Dispute”?
The Importance of the Contracting Officer’s Final Decision
Appealing to the Boards of Contract Appeals
Appealing to the U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Settlement Opportunities
Organizational Conflicts of Interest
Key Principles of OCI and Current FAR Treatment
The Three Categories of OCI
Examples of Agency Request for Proposal (RFP) Provisions on OCI
OCI Changes Under Discussion
False Claims Act Liability for Undisclosed OCIs
Short Topics
Teaming Agreements — When to Use Them and What to Include
Source Restrictions Under the Berry Amendment — Recent Developments
Commercial Item Update
New Compliance Requirements
Other Important Regulatory Changes
For more information about the program, please contact Jennifer Bartz at [email protected].
