On July 6, the SBA issued a proposed rule that would implement Section 862 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 establishing a government-wide certification process for Veteran Owned Small Businesses (VOSBs) and Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs).
Continue Reading New Certification Process for Veteran-Owned Small Businesses
On July 8, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia upheld a lower court’s ruling dismissing a complaint from Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) and holding it liable for violating the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (ECRA) even though the common carrier had been completely unaware of its violation. On appeal, FedEx unsuccessfully argued the Department of Commerce’s strict liability interpretation of 15 C.F.R. § 764.2(b) is ultra vires – a clear overstep of statutory authority.
Continue Reading FedEx Held Liable for Act Done Unwittingly and Unknowingly
In a recent article for Reuters, I warned of the potential consequences if government contractors fail to comply with their disclosure obligations. I outlined the types of proceedings government contractors with federal contracts and grants with a total value greater than $10 million must report on the Federal Awardee Performance Integrity and Information System (FAPISS) in accordance with FAR 52.209-7, which include:
Continue Reading Potential Consequences for Failure to Comply with Disclosure Obligations
The Bass, Berry & Sims international trade team is actively monitoring the situation in Russia and Ukraine and providing real-time advice to clients on managing the situation. This post summarizes new U.S. sanctions and export restrictions as of Thursday, July 7. This post supplements our previous summaries, which are available by following the links at the end of this blog post.
On June 24, the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued Temporary Denial Orders (TDOs) against an additional three Russian airlines: Nordwind Airlines, Pobeda Airlines, and S7 Airlines. BIS cited apparent ongoing violations of the comprehensive export controls imposed on Russia. Under these TDOs, the airlines are banned from participating in transactions subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), including exports from the United States and re-exports from abroad. The TDOs initially run for 180 days but will likely be extended.
As a general matter, an agency should reject a bid out of hand if it is deemed defective due to problems with bidder responsiveness. However, flawed bids determined on account of issues with bidder responsibility can be supplemented with the requested information any time before award. On May 18, the GAO wrangled with that critical difference in operative language, finding in favor of a bidder who successfully demonstrated the requested information dealt with a question of responsibility, rather than one of responsiveness, in J.E. McAmis, Inc., B-420518; B-420518.2.
Continue Reading Responsibility vs. Responsiveness: A Critical Difference Saves Flawed Initial Bid
On June 6, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) issued a final rule modifying its methodology for calculating the size of small businesses using an employee-based size standard and authorizes businesses participating in its Business Loan, Disaster Loan, Surety Bond, and Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) programs to choose whether to use a three-year or five-year receipts average when determining eligibility. The final rule becomes effective on July 6, 2022.
Continue Reading SBA Enlarges Small Business Pool through New Rule Change
Numet Machining Techniques, a Connecticut-based machined parts manufacturer for commercial and military aerospace engines, recently agreed to pay $5.2 million to settle alleged violations of the False Claims Act (FCA) for misrepresenting its size standard following an acquisition.
Continue Reading Buyer Beware: Settling FCA Allegations Costs Manufacturer $5.2 Million
Since late March, the U.S. government has announced several significant enforcement actions under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), the main U.S. law that prohibits bribery of non-U.S. government officials.
Often working in coordination with its enforcement counterparts in other parts of the world, the U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) and Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) have resolved three notable matters against companies, and pursued one individual enforcement matter. The alleged bribery involved in these matters occurred in multiple countries in Africa and South America.
Continue Reading Update on FCPA Enforcement: First Half of 2022 Sees Major Enforcement Action
I am looking forward to co-presenting on a panel titled “Economic Sanctions, FCPA-and the Impact on Distributor and More Third-Party Relationships: Leveraging Screening and Compliance Resources to Reduce DoJ, SEC and OFAC Penalty Risks” at the FCPA & Anti-Corruption for the Life Sciences Industry Conference presented by The American Conference Institute. The conference will take place July 21-22, 2022 at the Omni Parker House in Boston, Massachusetts. I will be presenting with Channing Landreth of LabCorp and J. Patrick Rowan of McGuireWoods.
Continue Reading FCPA & Anti-Corruption for the Life Sciences Industry Conference
A key benefit of Small Business Administration’s (SBA) All Small Mentor Protégé Program (ASMPP) is the opportunity for mentors and protégés to form joint ventures to bid together on prime and subcontracts as a small business. As the number of MPP relationships has grown, so too has the use of the ASMPP joint ventures (JV) to pursue opportunities previously out of reach for both parties. Hear from a panel of experts on best practices in JV formation, structuring, and growing the MPP relationship.
Please join Bass, Berry & Sims attorneys Todd Overman (moderator) and Sylvia Yi, joined by Steven Williams (Deloitte) and Ken Dodds (Live Oak Bank), for a webinar on June 28 at 1:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 p.m. CT, as they discuss these opportunities and much more. Click here to register.
Continue Reading [WEBINAR] SBA ASMPP Joint Ventures: Best Practices for Successful Partnerships
