Government Contracts

Featured Publication:

Unanimous Supreme Court Holds (Reaffirms) False Claims Act Responsibility Requires Offender’s Belief of Lie [Alert]

The Court has concluded that in order to bring and prove a FCA case, the government or relators must prove that the defendants knowingly committed (or intended to commit) fraud against the government.

More

Contracting with the government — whether it be federal, state, or local government — presents a unique set of complexities. Navigating those complexities often requires counsel experienced in the full life cycle of a government contract. Cozen O’Connor’s Government Contracts attorneys assist clients in all phases of the process, including analyzing procurement schemes, preparing proposals and bids, conducting negotiations with contracting agencies, protesting deficiencies or ambiguities in government solicitations before bids or best and final offers, protesting or defending the award process, novating contracts, negotiating change orders, assessing the effect of relevant statutes or actions by government agencies on contract performance, handling contract disputes arising during performance, and defending clients facing debarment or other punitive measures.

Our team includes lawyers who have held high-level positions and handled procurement throughout government, including former senior lawyers in offices of state attorneys general; those who have served in federal administrative agencies; the former Chief Operating Officer of the Troubled Asset Relief Program, and senior vice president and general counsel of the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Our Government Contracts attorneys have experience with a wide range of industries and related state and federal agencies, including construction, engineering, technology, maritime, aviation, and transportation.

We have successfully represented clients in bid protests before the General Accountability Office (GAO) and contract disputes before contracting officers, boards of contract appeals, and various state and federal courts, including the U.S. Court of Federal Claims and the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. For example, the GAO sustained a protest we brought that challenged certain technical restrictions in a U.S. Forest Service solicitation for aerial firefighting services. We also successfully defended a bid protest before the D.C. Contract Appeals Board and represented a wood casework contractor in a bid dispute with a school district in New Jersey. We also have substantial experience with debarment and suspension proceedings, including representing a very large Philadelphia-based company in proceedings with the General Services Administration.

Our team helps clients cut through the tangle of red tape that can make the government contracting process seem unnavigable, from the initial decision to pursue a contract, to crafting the proposal, to bid protests and beyond. With respect to new procurements, our Government Contracts attorneys work alongside Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies professionals to help clients identify opportunities at every level of government. We know which members have discretionary funds to allocate, what legislative or executive decisions will ultimately lead to new funding, and when programs are likely to be renewed. Our strength lies in understanding the procurement process, pulling all the pieces together, and developing short- and long-term strategies that benefit our clients every step of the way.

Experience

Publications

Unanimous Supreme Court Holds (Reaffirms) False Claims Act Responsibility Requires Offender’s Belief of Lie [Alert]

June 05, 2023

The Court has concluded that in order to bring and prove a FCA case, the government or relators must prove that the defendants knowingly committed (or intended to commit) fraud against the government.

Whose Standing Now? Federal Circuit Changes Jurisdiction Precedent for Bid Protests [Alert]

June 01, 2023

The Federal Circuit ruled that the Blue & Gold waiver rule is a non-jurisdictional claims-processing rule.

Congress Offers Limited Monetary Relief to Certain Defense Contractors Battling Inflation [Alert]

April 10, 2023

Congress granted the DoD new authority to modify existing fixed-price contracts to compensate defense contractors for increased costs arising from inflation.

Federal Contractors May Be Blindsided by the Reach of State Sales and/or Use Taxes [Alert]

April 03, 2023

Larry Prosen and Debra Friedman discuss the Washington State Court of Appeals decision in Alstom Power Inc. v. State of Washington Department of Revenue.

Landmark Supreme Court Case Could Reshape the FCA Scienter Requirement [Alert]

January 23, 2023

The U.S. Supreme Court will soon clarify the knowledge requirement for False Claims Act (FCA) cases, agreeing to hear two such cases.

Is Your EEO-1 Report At Risk of Disclosure?

August 31, 2022

The OFCCP informed all federal contractors that a FOIA request seeking contractor data from '16-'20 was submitted. Contractors must file objections by 9/19/22.

In or Out? House Pressures Federal Contractors to Exit Russian Market

April 14, 2022

The House's Federal Contracting for Peace and Security Act would prohibit federal contractors from continuing to do business in the Russian Federation.

In extremis — PPP Money Is Not “Free” So Applicants & Recipients Need to Beware

December 08, 2021

Larry Prosen discusses recent how the DOJ is auditing, investigating, and, where appropriate, prosecuting PPP recipients who broke the rules

TIMES THEY KEEP A CHANGIN’ — Upcoming Changes to DoD CMMC Program and Cybersecurity Requirements

November 11, 2021

Larry Prosen discusses DoD's Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking updating its existing, relatively young, CMMC model certification to a CMMC 2.0 structure.

White House Task Force: Covered Employees of Federal Contractors Must Be Vaccinated by December 8 [Alert]

September 28, 2021

Robert Magovern and Matthew Howell discuss the guidance for federal contractors and subcontractors pursuant to President Biden’s Executive Order 14042.

What Federal Contractors Need to Know About the Biden Administration’s Vaccine Mandate

September 16, 2021

Matt Howell and Bob Magovern discuss what Biden's September 9, 2021, executive order means for federal contractors.

New Executive Order Requires Many Federal Contractors to Increase Minimum Wage for Workers by 2022 [Alert]

April 28, 2021

Bob Magovern and Matt Howell discuss Biden's executive order increasing the minimum wage for federal contactors.

In The News

42 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Named Pennsylvania Super Lawyers & Rising Stars

May 24, 2023

Super Lawyers has selected 42 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to the 2023 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

Larry Prosen Named to Law360's 2022 Construction Editorial Advisory Board

April 07, 2022

Larry Prosen, member of the firm's Construction Law Group, has been named to Law360’s 2022 Construction Editorial Advisory Board.

More Than 205 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch By The Best Lawyers In America

August 19, 2021

Best Lawyers selected 210 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 23 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Cozen O’Connor Builds Out Washington, D.C. Construction Practice With New Shareholder Lawrence M. Prosen and Two Associates

March 01, 2021

Prosen brings a distinguished resume that includes experience in all aspects of government contracts, from regulatory compliance to claims and bid protest litigation. Joining with Prosen are two associates Benjamin L. Williams and Caitlin E. Trevillyan.

Contacts

Jeff R. Vogel

Member

jvogel@cozen.com

(202) 304-1453

Robert K. Magovern

Co-Vice Chair, Transportation & Trade

rmagovern@cozen.com

(202) 463-2539

People

Awards

Larry Prosen Named to Law360's 2022 Construction Editorial Advisory Board

April 07, 2022

Larry Prosen, member of the firm's Construction Law Group, has been named to Law360’s 2022 Construction Editorial Advisory Board.

More Than 205 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch By The Best Lawyers In America

August 19, 2021

Best Lawyers selected 210 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 23 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Related Practice Areas

Keep up-to-date with the latest news from Cozen O'Connor

Enter your City or Zip.

Probably shouldn't change this:
Sign up to receive alerts, publications, and event / webinar invites.

By submitting your contact information, you are giving Cozen O'Connor consent to contact you via email.