Government Contracts

Focused expertise backed by decades of experience
As litigators, we regularly prosecute Contract Disputes Act (CDA) claims before courts and boards of contract appeals, and we work with our clients from preparation and submission of the certified claim through final judgment, including appeals. We also work with our clients during contract performance to manage risk and consider alternatives to formal litigation. Consistent with this approach, we advise clients on contract interpretation and performance requirements, negotiate with agency contract officials during contract administration, prepare Requests for Equitable Adjustment, and negotiate contract modification terms.

We also have a robust bid protest practice. When presented with a potential protest, we quickly mobilize and work with our clients to examine the solicitation requirements and the proposal and to identify potential protest grounds. We also offer advice through the debriefing process. Before filing, we ensure that our clients understand the protest process and potential outcomes, including all avenues for obtaining meaningful "corrective action," as well as the legal and business implications of "suing the client."

Because our clients include a significant number of small businesses, we are experienced in litigating size and status protests before the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) Office of Hearings and Appeals. Similar to Government Accountability Office (GAO) protests, successful prosecution and defense of SBA size and status protests require strict adherence to protest procedures and timelines, as well as expertise in substantive procurement law. We regularly advise small-business contractors with respect to compliance with all SBA government contracting programs, including 8(a) SBCs, WOSBs, HUBZONE SBCs, and SDVOSBs. This includes advice and counseling with respect to compliance with small-business subcontracting and joint-venture rules. Our working knowledge and expertise with SBA regulations make us effective advocates when business size or status is challenged.

As counselors, we seek to understand our clients' strategic business plans so that our advice and counseling always promotes your short- and long-term business goals and objectives. Government contractors are subject to a complex, rigorous, and often unforgiving regulatory structure and enforcement environment. Our government contracts attorneys have decades of collective experience and wisdom navigating this environment. We strive to be a member of your leadership team – and to be accessible and responsive in providing sound and reliable counsel so that legal considerations are fully integrated into your business plans and problems are anticipated before they arise. As discussed in greater detail below, we offer advice across a broad spectrum of substantive issues confronting companies involved in public procurement.

As thought leaders, we study, write, and speak about emerging areas of government contract law and are actively involved in the legal, industry, and trade organizations that represent or otherwise affect our clients' businesses. These organizations include the Pacific Northwest Defense Coalition, the Associated General Contractors, the National Contract Management Association, and the American Bar Association's Section of Public Contract Law and Forum on Construction Law. Government contract law is complex and ever-changing. Through our active participation in the government contracts community, our attorneys promote and influence that change on behalf of our clients.

Your complete, integrated legal solution
Traditional government contracts matters often intersect with other specialized areas of practice. As a full-service firm, our government contracts attorneys work closely with our construction, corporate, white-collar, labor and employment, benefits, tax, environmental, intellectual property, energy, insurance, land use, and real estate attorneys to provide integrated and efficient and cost-effective legal solutions for our clients.