For government contractors, a debriefing is much more than a procedural step following an unsuccessful procurement. Although many debriefings are written, agencies often give oral debriefings, either in person or remotely by videoconference. A well-executed oral debriefing can provide invaluable insight into an agency’s evaluation, identify potential grounds for a bid protest, improve future proposals
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how government contractors develop proposals, manage contracts, write software, analyze data, and perform countless other functions. Tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini promise significant gains in efficiency and productivity, but they also raise complex legal, contractual, and cybersecurity questions. As federal agencies continue to develop agency-specific
The federal government’s attempt to prohibit the use of Anthropic’s artificial intelligence technology has created significant uncertainty for government contractors that rely on AI to support contract performance and internal business operations. Although a federal court has temporarily blocked enforcement of key portions of the government’s directive, the litigation underscores how quickly the compliance landscape
On July 20, 2026, President Trump signed Executive Order 14415 titled “Securing America’s Defense Supply Chains and Ensuring Domestic Acquisition of Critical Materials.” While the order initially focuses on critical minerals and other covered materials used in defense systems, its most consequential provisions extend well beyond those materials.
Instead, the executive order signals a broader
The Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals (ASBCA) recently issued an important decision explaining when a federal agency may terminate a contractor for default before contract performance is complete. In Jaxon Construction, Inc., ASBCA No. 64432 (June 24, 2026), the board recognized that although the contractor may have committed numerous performance deficiencies, the
In a significant policy shift that will have immediate implications for the defense industrial base (DIB), the Department of Defense (DoD) announced on July 13, 2026, that it is suspending the implementation of Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Phase II requirements. The announcement halts what would have been one of the most consequential cybersecurity
A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) decision offers an important reminder that agencies cannot apply evaluation criteria that differ from the language of the solicitation. In Veterans Management Services, Inc., B-424182.2; B-424182.3 (June 22, 2026), GAO sustained a bid protest after finding that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) improperly limited its review of
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has once again reinforced a critical message for the federal contracting community: Cybersecurity compliance is no longer simply a contractual obligation. It is increasingly becoming a False Claims Act enforcement priority that can expose government contractors to significant financial liability.
In a recently announced settlement, a defense contractor
On June 2, 2026, President Trump signed a sweeping executive order titled “Promoting Advanced Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Security,” signaling the administration’s latest effort to strengthen America’s leadership in artificial intelligence while addressing emerging cybersecurity and national security risks associated with advanced AI systems.
The executive order reflects the administration’s broader policy approach
What happens when a mentor-protégé joint venture fractures before a federal contract is awarded — and the mentor company that supplied all of the experience and past performance tries to protest the resulting contract award? The United States Court of Federal Claims answered that question decisively in IBSS v. United States, dismissing the bid